Reminding Customers Patented by Amazon

theodp writes "When your little Hogwart checks out the latest Harry Potter book at Amazon, he or she may be reminded that they've already ordered the book. It's all part of CEO Jeff Bezos latest patent for the Contextual presentation of information about related orders during browsing of an electronic catalog, which also covers warning customers about drug interactions ('you previously purchased Drug ABC'). The USPTO allowed the patent after four years and five rejections."

Comments

Self Defense?

[gbulmash]

Okay, Jeff Bezos claims he gets these patents defensively to prevent someone else from getting them and suing Amazon. But the effort he goes to in convincing the patent office they're even valid seems enormous.

And considering all the money spent on lawyers to go back and forth 5 times, answering the patent examiner's objections, could have bought off at least one senator, maybe two. Could have bought a handful of congressmen. Multiply his filing and lawyer fees by all the patents he's gobbled up like some braying pacman, and you've got enough lobbyist money to get some real patent reform, the lack of which is the reason behind his defensive patents.

Ambrose Bierce had it right

[PhilHibbs]

Appeal
v.t. In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw.

A simple question is warranted

[AutopsyReport]

So what changed their mind the sixth time?

You would think that after five rejections, the patent office would lend significantly less weight to the credibility of the patent, and presumably would not approve it.

Re:A simple question is warranted

[nightgrinder]

It's more of a negotiation than a time-after-time rejection. If you read the docs, you'll find Amazon getting coached by the PTO staff as to how they cn form their claims to be accepted ("removing this claim, and re-phrasing that claim, will change this application to an allowable one").

Next Amazon patent - "Selling"

[mrRay720]

Yes that's right. Amazon already have in the planning stage a patent for the previously unknown concept of "selling". This unique and freshly invented process involves the exchange of goods for money.

There are also plans in the pipeline for saeveral other uniquie and novel concepts. Expect the following to be taken to the patent stage soon:
-Websites
-The number 5
-Presenting a product to a customer
-Telling people they can buy stuff
-Creating words from symbols known as 'letters'
-Only accepting orders if a payment is made
-Sending out orders in 'boxes', whatever they are
-Inhaling air, and exhaling carbon dioxide

I wish I had the brains of those guys - they am them most cleverest.

What about Brick and Mortar?

[ehaggis]

I know this is a common argument, but what if we applied the same patent rules to Brick and Mortar? Can we restrict people and businesses from using common business practices and logic? I.e. I patent "How may I help you?" as a lead question. Now no one can use that line. I know it is ridiculous.

I am in favor of people protecting their unique inventions and developments, but securing patents for the obvious and mundane is a typical symptom of US litigious culture.

Re:It's a sad day for Intellectual Property when..

[turchinc]

Dear Jeff,

This is just a friendly reminder from the USPTO that you have already tried to submit this patent over five (5) times. This could be an indication that what you trying to patent is completely lacking in innovation or that you are in fact not the first person to come up with this idea. Sometimes, particularly with entirely banal patent submissions, it is a combination of both.

You could check our online FAQ for more information on why your patent keeps getting rejected, or you could just "chill out and get the message finally". If you think you have received this reminder in error, please contact us at priorart@uspto.gov or try submitting the patent again. Its only the taxpayer's money your wasting, after all.

Thanks.

Best Regards,

The Patent Office

It's already working!

[TheUnknownCoder]

I just got the following message:

WARNING
----------------
You're about to purchase Linux Bible, 2005 Edition, which should not be read in combination with Windows XP for Dummies that you bought last week.
This item has been made unavailable for your purchase for the next 10 years, when the effects of the first item are completely gone!