WASHINGTON -- The future of business and software patents hung in the balance Monday inside a Supreme Court chamber packed with lawyers who may be affected by the outcome, but the justices appeared to be seeking a more narrow solution to the proliferation of patents.
While voicing skepticism about the specific patent in question, which uses a computer to safeguard complex financial settlements, the justices repeatedly sought examples of what types of patents would remain legitimate if they impose new limits.
The case, Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International, poses huge risks for both sides. If the court upholds the patent or rules only narrowly against it without affecting most others, the problem of too many patents -- and patent lawsuits -- will continue. In that case, Justice Stephen Breyer said, future competition could move from price and quality to "who has the best patent lawyer."
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