nowEurope

There is no form of intellectual property more controversial, nor more often misunderstood, than so-called “business method patents”. While some individuals and companies complain that patent systems were never intended to protect “methods of doing business”, patent applications on these types of inventions continue to be filed in record numbers. Government patent offices continue to issue such patents, with support by judges who interpret the patent law. While the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has perhaps become the most liberal in granting business method patents, Europe (such as by way of the European Patent Office) also allows these types of patents to be granted, if they are deemed to have a “technical effect”. Like most debates, there are plenty of arguments to be made pro and con.

On October 9, 2006, IBC is hosting a legal conference at the Grange City Hotel in London entitled “IP Rights in the Financial Services Sector”. Eight speakers from Europe and the United States (including me) will make presentations on a wide variety of topics relating to IP and financial services, including how the patent, copyright and trademark laws of both Europe and the U.S. are applied to financial services and related business methodologies. It should make for an interesting and spirited discussion.

Further information regarding the conference may be found at the IPR in the Financial Services Sector Conference web site