Lawsuits asserting business method patents continue to be filed. In Marshall, Texas, a patent that seems to cover the act of distributing a press release online was used to sue six companies that are in that business; it was filed on Friday June 24—just three days before the Court ruled in Bilski decision that business methods will continue to be patentable. The plaintiff behind the suit is a strangely named patent-holding company: Gooseberry Natural Resources, LLC.
One defendant targeted by Gooseberry who spoke with The Prior Art, eReleases owner Mickie Kennedy, reacted as many small companies do when hit with such a lawsuit—surprise that a patent claiming to cover what his business does could even exist.
