Quick Query: Internet-related Patents In Jeopardy, Attorney Says
Doing business on the Internet requires the use of sophisticated software and complicated processes. Many of these innovative products have been patented. Google, Amazon and others hold many hundreds of patents, but the U.S. Supreme Court may be about to greatly restrict the issuance of patents. To help us understand the case at hand and its relevance to software and Internet businesses, we spoke with intellectual property attorney Lawrence M. Hadley, with the firm of Hennigan, Bennett and Dorman in Los Angeles. Practical eCommerce: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments recently on a case that could affect the issuance of patents for software and other Internet processes. Could you explain this case? Lawrence M. Hadley: "Well,...