business methods patent initiative
Business Methods Patent Initiative. A U.S. Patent and Trademark Office program that added a second level to business-method-patent reviews for the purpose of reducing the number of business-method patents issued. • The PTO created the initiative in response to complaints that examiners improperly approved many business-method patents. After an examiner approves the application and before a business-method patent is granted, a second examiner must completely review the application and either reject the application or affirm the issuance of the patent.
