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Business methods focus of Peer-to-Patent expansion

Business methods focus of Peer-to-Patent expansion

New York Law School and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have announced that their Peer-to-Patent project is to expand, as a result of its successful first year, for at least another 12 months. This second phase will invite the online network of innovators and patent experts to scrutinise business method applications, with a view to achieving greater clarity in this area. In the initial pilot stage, the relevant applications all related to software inventions. The incorporation of business methods marks a move into equally disputed territory, and with the pilot stage lending credence to peer-review, expertise from members of the public could help to firm up notions of what is acceptable.

The USPTO's under-secretary of commerce for intellectual property, Jon Dudas, said: 'The USPTO continues to support the pilot of peer-review to help it fulfil its promise as a [means of placing] the best prior art expeditiously before the examiner. Extending and expanding the pilot to include business method patent applications will add more participants to the pilot and help us and the public better assess the effectiveness of peer-review.'

As part of the new phase, the Law School has created the Center for Patent Innovations (CPI) – a body that will use Peer-to-Patent as a springboard for researching and implement new, community-based methods of enhancing patent quality.

Newly-appointed CPI director, Mark Webbink, said: 'I'm pleased to announce the new Center, which will lead the way in reforming the international patent system. CPI will become a pioneer in the patent field, helping to create an environment of participation with patent examiners, scientists, and knowledgeable experts, thereby improving the understanding and effectiveness of patent systems. Establishing the Center for Patent Innovations was a natural progression for the Peer-to-Patent project.'

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