[ Thanks to George
Mitchell for this link. ]
“Filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, the suit
alleges that Expedia’s new “Hotel Price Matcher” service violates
Priceline’s patents on its business model. Priceline said in a
statement that it was seeking a restraining order against
Microsoft, along with actual and punitive damages.”
“In a controversial practice, numerous e-commerce companies have
patented elements of their business plans–not just their
technologies. Priceline, for example, holds patents that relate to
the core of its business: letting buyers name the prices they are
willing to pay for goods or services.
“But obtaining a patent is only half the battle because they can
be challenged, and overturned, in court.
“A federal appeals court has upheld the legitimacy of “concept”
patents.”
