Software Patent
A software patent is becoming increasingly valuable as litigation relating to software innovations accelerates. A software patent is valuable because it can both protect a competitive position and prevent litigation.
You can of course use a patent to stop a competitor from copying for invention. However, strong patents can also effectively deter a competitor from suing you. This is particularly true if a larger competitor tries to assert a patent to force you to exit a market.
Getting a valuable, licenseable, and enforceable software patent that allows you to protect and profit from your software invention requires more than merely describing its implementation. Too many applications over-generalize the invention. Patent attorneys that don't understand software will focus on how the inventor would describe the invention to a coder instead of the details that make the invention unique. As a result, too many software applications are not allowed or are allowed with extremely narrow claims and limited value.
The CyberSource and related decisions may have altered the requirements for protecting software inventions. In particular, US requirements may becoming more closely aligned with the requirements for protecting software inventions in Europe and China. Read more about possible ramifications.
I have prepared and won allowance for hundreds of software patent applications for a wide variety of software and business process inventions. I do both standard utility patent applications and flash provisional applications idea for protecting early stage inventions. Please contact me at (801) 692-0493 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your software patent.