The current trend in business method patents in Japan

Abstract

This paper explores the current trend of business-method patents in Japan. About ten years ago, business method patent (business model patent) used to be a buzzword in e-business industry. However, nowadays, the trend in business-method patents is different from those days. This paper surveys which company or which industry is aggressive in business-method patent, and analyses the patent strategies of the leader companies of e-business area.