Nobody likes “patent trolls,” even if they’re not quite sure what they are.
It’s a term without clear definition and yet it’s being used to push Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court right now to curb abusive litigation without damaging a centuries-old system designed to promote advances in science and industry.
On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether a company named Alice Corp can own an “invention” for escrow accounts. While the idea of escrow has been around for centuries, Alice Corp has a patent that describes the concept of using a computer to implement it.
Reading the merits briefs of Alice Corp., CLS Bank and many amici induces the strange feeling that there are multiple, parallel universes operating, and it is hard to know which one you are in. Are you in a universe in which Alice’s claims are for a software invention or a business method?
Technology companies large and small are lining up against each other in a major patent case that goes to oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court Monday focused on whether a business method can be patented when implemented through computers.
Some hope a decision could deal a devastating blow to “patent trolls” who sue technology companies based on software patents that they say are too general and prone to litigation abuse.
In today’s InternetRetailing newsletter, we report on retailers, from Next [IRDX RNXT] to Majestic Wine and Monsoon Accessorize [IRDX RMSO] as they take their next steps towards omnichannel. At the same time we also report on research findings that show many retailers are struggling to achieve the seamless omnichannel experience they’d like to offer.
Many will be at IRX 2014 next week as they look to identify and focus on the next steps they need to take. In today’s IRX preview the spotlight is on one possible next step, personalisation, in an interview with IRX 2014 keynote speaker Jane Dixon of RichRelevance
Jane Dixon of RichRelevance [IRDX VRIR], which specialises in developing personalised shopping experiences across channels, will be speaking at next week’s Internet Retailing Expo 2014 (IRX 2014). We caught up with her for a preview of her presentation.
Internet Retailing: At IRX 2014, you’re going to be talking about the importance of building a strategic roadmap for crosschannel personalisation. What kind of retailers need to be thinking about this – and why is it so important?
Imagine everything being known about you the minute you walk in to a department store – your name, measurements, purchase history in-store and online, even your views on life, the universe and everything. Would that make you feel like a celebrity or a victim of intrusive surveillance?
Organizational, operational and technology challenges are hampering retailers’ efforts to meet customers’ demand for a seamless shopping experience across all channels and touchpoints. That’s the conclusion of a commissioned by Accenture and Hybris Software, a commerce platform provider.