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Amazons "One Click" Patent Back Before U.S. Patent Office
Amazon.com finds that it takes more than one click to navigate through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with its famous patent. At the request of a New Zealand individual, Peter Calveley, the USPTO has agreed to re-examine Amazon.com’s patent in light of a prior patent, and other material cited by Mr. Calveley. Mr. Calveley reports that he was motivated by an “annoyingly slow” book delivery from the online retailer.
Amazon.com’s “one click” patent is entitled, “Method and System for Placing a Purchase Order Via A Communications Network” and issued September 28, 1999. Calveley argues that an earlier patent, entitled “On-line Secured Financial Transaction System Through Electronic Media” filed June 7, 1996 and issued March 17, 1998 renders Amazon.com’s patent invalid for lack of novelty and obviousness. Specifically, certain claims set forth by Amazon.com are said to be disclosed in the earlier patent. The lengthy request for re-examination cites many other documents as well. The USPTO has concluded that a substantial new question of patentability affecting some of the claims has been raised by Mr. Calveley and has ordered the re-examination of the entire “one click” patent.
For Mr. Calveley’s blog, visit:
For the USPTO re-examination file, visit:
For additional information, visit: