We looked at the 10-year patent filing activity in the technology space of E-commerce. Based on the graph below, patenting activity is increasing from 2009 to 2013 and is decreasing from 2014 to 2018. Market growth does not seem to result to increase in IP initiatives.
In 2000, the USPTO implemented a rule requiring a 2-layer review for business-method patents which resulted in an allowance rate of 11% in 2005 from 45% in the previous years. The imposition of stricter standards on patent eligibility of e-commerce and software patents might have affected the patenting activity in this technology space. Learn more in our E-Commerce Patent Landscape Report.
