The patent landscape has changed regarding business method patents.

In the summer of 2014, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank which invalidated certain business method patents related to finance. The basis for the invalidation was that the patents covered an abstract idea not eligible for patent protection.

In the months since, the various district courts nationwide have relied upon this case, and others, to continue invalidating business method patents in many fields. The U.S. Patent Office also issued Interim Guidelines in December regarding how to examine business method patents. Final Guidelines will be issued sometime in 2015.

In view of the changing patent landscape, it is important to evaluate your company's current patent filings.