Amazon Loses “1-click Patent” Suit

Today, New Zealander Peter Calveley successfully defeated internet bookseller Amazon.com in a suit brought over Amazon’s patent for “1-click shopping”. The technique, which allows a customer to purchase product without repeatedly entering personal information such as name and address, was seen as a valuable resource to ease customer frustration.

Amazon filed a patent application for 1-click shopping in early 1997 and was awarded the patent in September 1999. Twenty-three days later Amazon sued rival Barnes and Noble for alleged infringement by its “Express Lane” ordering which was introduced in 1998. In December 1999 Amazon won an interim injunction against Barnes and Noble but the USA Court of Appeal lifted this injunction in February 2001. Amazon has successfully licensed the technique to other e-sellers such as Apple.

The Auckland man who won the case in the United States Patent office used internet archives to show that defunct company Digi Cash used the technique prior to Amazon. Despite costing a substantial sum of cash and requiring donations to pursue the case, Calveley said he did it as a game and hopes that his success inspires others to play the same game.

Amazon announced its intent to appeal.

From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!

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