The 2010 US Census Statistical Abstract, Table 1022, provides data on electronic shopping and mail-order houses sales for 2006 and 2007. In 2007, e-commerce provided 44.6% of total sales in the US, equivalent to $88.915 billion. Clearly, business methods patents in the e-shopping domain have the potential to have a far reaching impact on an important segment of the economy.
On November 2, 2010, USPTO released Classification Order 1899, which covers e-shopping and catalogs. Formerly, two subclasses covered this subject matter: 705/26 for Electronic shopping (e.g., remote ordering); and its child subclass 705/27 Presentation of image or description of sales item (e.g., electronic catalog browsing). In their place, 22 new subclasses were established. As of November 8, 3,885 patents contain a 705/26 classification; 1827 contain a 705/27 classification. Approximately 2,000 of these patents were used by USPTO to conduct the reclassification analyses supporting the development of the new schedule.
We’ll be taking a look at the changes to the e-shopping patent space over coming installments.
Michael Bowman
November 2010
