The US Patent and Trade Mark Office has admitted that the
standards for awarding business method patents have been low in the
past, but said that this approach will change, according to
ZDNet.17 Oct 2002
The Director of the Office, James Rogan, told an audience at the Heritage Foundation that many "problematic" business patents were wrongfully awarded in the past, and that this status quo "is hurting technology" and "economy."
Rogan also said that he is currently trying to revamp the bureaucracy of the 3,400 examiners who review up to 375,000 patent applications each year.
More information about US patents can be found at:
www.uspto.gov