Combined

COMMISS~ER'S DECISION SUMMARY
cn 1290 Awhc"lion 2,246,933
The Examine.- rejected the applicalion tor being an otlvOous Ofdering method and
system, The EJcaminer also alleged tha1 me S<.tJject ma!Ief of the cla;ms is direct&d to
non-patanlable subjed matt... under Section 2 oI1he Patanl Act.
The appIicalion was relused by 1he Commi...oner 01 Palents because 1he cl,,;med
i,wention was "'" pBlental>le under Seclion 2 oIlha Parent Act
IN THE CANADIAN pATENT OFFICE
DECISION OF THE CQMMISSIONER OF PATENTS
Patent appIK:aIion number 2,246,933, having been rejeded by the EJoa-niner under
Subsection 30(3) 01 the Parent RuIe$, was "',,_. The rejection has been
a>nsi<ler<ld by the Patern Appeallloard and by the COflYl"IO...ioner 01 PBlerllS. The
fil'ldiros 01 !he Iloard and the dacilion 01 the eonvn;...ioner are as IoIlow$
Agent f!lr the ApplieafJI
OYEN WIGGS GREEN & MlITALA UP

490 - 601 West C...dova SIreeI
VANCOUVER, Bnbsh Colurba
V6B lG1
TJb!lp '" Con!Inl'
INTRODUCTION 1
PROCEDURAl. MATTERS. 1
BACKGROUNO 2
CI,,;ms 3
ISSUES. 6
APPLIED REFERENCES. 7
Dala. 01 p<bIOC8tioo , 7
OBVK>USNESS , 8
The Examiners posilioo . 8
The Applicant'. re5l"OflSIl 10
leQal Pnncip..... Obviousness. 12
The question . 12
Problem • .-.:I sok.Jlion 14
The skilled 19Chnician ..-.d !he problem 10 be solV9d 15
The lltaIa '" knowledge e1 th& d.im doIIa • selected exo&rPlS trom Ya$il 16
Geoe<II ovtIfView- , 16
SBSlion and subsaip1ion-basedlracl<ing , 17
Collecting customer informa1ion 18
Cookie tectw1ology 18
Tr9Cl<inO state inIormalion in Ye$il 20
Analyli'- section 28.3 21
ave",,_ CompIrir'og C.... pIIr 4 '" Ye$illO lhe inst.nt .pp1icalion 21
Distingu..hing tl81J.nS lIrO-*l bV me Applicant, 22
Aco:ul1 inIormalion: SlOIing lIf1d retrieving using identifiers (cookie.) 23
Single-Aclion Ordering (one-dicl< or<lering) 25
Other benefits ..-.d advantages, 26
finding" Se<:bon 28.3 . 28
The "l'l"oedll0 assessing ob¥ioosneIs se1 <lUI in Sanoti 28
&bsidilry leal"", 30
STATUTOflY SU6JECT MATTeR SECTION 2 32
The Examiner'. position , 32
The Applicant" re5l"OflSIl , 32
Clarifications a1me IWaring 34
Natu'e '" me rejection . 34
AppIicanI's v _ r"O"fding S1e1l/1Of)' subjec1 met"" 35
Addilion 10 human I<nowIedge 36
llQlll principles· Sle1l/1Of)' Subj9cI Matter 36
l""9fI1ion defined . 36
Approac!lIO .SMsling subject matter 37
Coos",* tlOIh the te>rm and me ~aoce of me claims , 37
fe>rm 01 the claims 37
Substaoce of me claims (What has been discoYered?) .. 37
SWjed malter must r~ Ihe definn.... of • category , 37
Change of ctlar9Cler or a>ndrt.... _ 37
Excluded (....... stallllDl")') subjec1 mallet 37
NOO">-lad"nological S<.t;ect matte' .. noI SWulory , 37
Ba"s lot the approach 36
fe>rm of me claim (me claim 00 ~ fliloC$) , 36
S<.t>stance 01 the cla;m (What tm Deerl d~) , 36
SWjed malter must r~ 1htI definn.... of • category , 40
There nus! be a physical object or a change in charader or
a>ndrt.... of a physical olljecl 40
Excluded Slbjecl meUer Bu"ness melhods " noI palen!able 42
S<..tijecl mailer Ihel .. noIl9Chno1ogical statlllDl")' S<..tijecl
metier . 45
O_lap ~ el<Cluded S<..tijecl matte.- and ~ical
sut:;eeI matte" , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,48

AilalVsis SecIion 2 4e
Approadl to assessing subjed matler 4e
Fe>rm of !he claims 49
S<bstance of !he d",ms 50
Is !here some change in characte' or condition (Uwso<> last)? 51
Is the substanoe 01 the cl",ms e method of <:Ioi'lg oo.. ",,""?, 52
Is me substanoe 01 the cla;ms non-t&ChnOlogical in nalure? 52
Findings· sect 2 , 55
RECOMMENDATION. 56
INTRODUCTION
I 1] This decillion deals with a revi.... by the CommiS$Oooe< ~ Palents ~ the

Examinet's Final Action on patarrl applOCa1ion number 2,246,933 which was filed
on Sepleml>ef 11-, 1998 and .. antiUed "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
PLACING A PURCHASE ORDER VIAA COMMUNICATIONS NETWOflK", This
applicalion claims priorit)t from a Unile<! Stales applicabon fila<! on SeJllember
12", 1997 and a Un~ed StalK applicabon filed on March 23"', 1998. The
Applicarrl is AMAZON.COM, INC and the lwerr!(lr1; are Sholl Kaphan, Joel
51>", Jeffrey P. Be",," and Pen Hartman. The E.<arnOner in charge .. sued a
Final AdOon on June 1-. 2004 ,ajediog claims 1 to 75 and the applicalOon Dased
on OO"",,,",,"s and non-slaturGIY subjI!ocl mat«lt. The AppIicarrl S<brnilled
arg<man1s in reS~H lothe Final ActOon on December 1-, 2004
12] A helll'ing betore Iha Palent Appeal Board was held on Sep",,,lbeo 18"', 2008
Awaariog on bahaK 0I1ha Applicant was Mr. David McGruclar ['!he Applicant"]
from the finn 01 Dyen W'OOs Go'--. Muta~ Represenliog the Paten! Office_a
Ms. C&r1a DiNardo (n8e Carp;none), the Exa:ninet in maroa 0I1ha npplicalOon
and Mr And.. Gelinas. Section Head.
PROCEDURALMATTER$
13] Ail na~ier hDaring Ito' ltlis applicalion had baan held on Noverrt>er 16-, 2OCl5
Awaariog on bDhaK 01 the Applicant was Mr. David McGruclar from the firm of
Oyer> WIQ9!I Green MUIala. Representing Iha Palen! Off.,., were Ms C&r1a
Carpinona, IhD Examinar in charoa oIlhD applicalOon and Mr. Pelar Ebsen.
S«:Iion Head. t.t'. John Cavar and Mr. M.nlIy Wilson ~re "08O,beo s of the
Board allhal hearing, bullhay hDve both since reI~ed from IhD Public Serwice
bafGre a ,ecoo"'08O <lation was fmlized.
14] On June 11-, 2008 Iha Chair 0I1hD Palant Appeal Board contacled Iha Applican1
to axpllOn thai a oew 80anl would be formed to revi.... 1hD Final Action. The
Applicant was olIered Iha opportunity to ha.e another hearing, which was
~.~
15] On JIJIy "d', 2008 lhe neN BoDrd wroIe 10 lhe Applicant to a>nfnn a new
hearing data oI5ep1ambDr 18"'. 2008 rthe Hearing"]. Al that time, IhD BoDrd
also notified the AppIicarrll!lal the 'ajedion ......on< 8eclion 2 would bD assessed
based on _liar IhD essence 0I1hD claimed irwerl1ion, or _ has been added
totunan knowledge (in online on3&ring technOlogy) is non-slaturory because ~
does not fall into one 01 the cmegor... 01 inlrenlion (......on< $eclion 2 oIlhI!
Patent Adj. Belorn tlla H_ing, IhD Applicant was also informed thai all claims
,
would be assessed for compliance uncle< SecIion 2 01 the Patent Ad. At the
Hearng, the Awlie8nt addresMod all 01 the dlIims with respecllO 8eclion 2 In
the leiter dated July 30", 2006, the A;>plican1 was also ;",,"'''00 Iha1 the
po.(llis!le< stated the Yqil tlOOk (dted in the FirI8l ActiOO) was p<.t>1"hed 00
NOV9<TtIet ff'. 1996
BACKGROUNO
16] The aw1ic8tion sets w a method a.-.::l a '1$lam which allow a pu'chaser to
place an orde, lor an item OY<'J( the Inlemel. figure 2 shows a I>Iock d~am of
the system and Fi9se 3 " II flow d~am whicllshows a leal," of the llySIem
which allows the pu-<:h8_ to pun::haose an itam wilt> a single-aclion.
- - "
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EJ
B~~
"
1-.." 1
".,
---
-... - -
... _Ill -
'
-
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-
,
I7 J The ...rver uses a client identifl8f oent from 1he client's COIIlI"-'ler 10 assoc;a!a
the c/>enl', compuIer with the pun::h$Ser's payment and shipment inkM'mation
(pudlaser.spe6f1C acoounI information). The elien! idenlifier is SIOO"ed in !he
clieo1's computer t>y th& _ when the clieo1 eo1~ ~is iGentifocalOoo, billing
and shipping r.tormalion (pu'chaser·speciflC acoount inlonnalion), vsualJy at the
time 01 the cI...,'. firs1 visit. On" subsequent v;.~ 10 the Web lila by the
dieo1's compuIef, me _ JlK::OO'lizft the dieo1 OcJeo1if.. as t>elonging 10 mat
chent The client may !hen browse ~em., and decide to boy an ilem b)I elld<ing
on 0011I one bull"" whidl _ the request to ...de< the item "'''"11 with the
cI>en1 Odenlifoet. The etI9cI of Ihjl s<ngle-aclion .. to instantly ordet the itam. The
se<\'er system will """",,,,!he purctIase reques~ IIUIOII'IaIically 'elneve!he
clleo1'S acoounI inlOfll'l8tioo using the clieo1 OcJeo1ifl8f, aOd combine the retrieved
acoounI irrlonna1ion to genetale 1he order. Only one click 0I1he client'. mouse
i. required
r8] There 8'" 75 cI,,;ms in !he "l'l'hcelion, 5lbIrN1Ied on NOV<lIl'Ibet 27"', = in

Iflportse 10 me Examinefs ,eport dated May 26"'. 2002. Independent cta;ms 1,
19, 33, 51, 60 and 68 are method dlIirns and independent claim 44 i. directed to
a system.
r 9] CI,,;m 1 provides lor _ng a client identir"" on a client system, displaying item
inl"""ati"" and an indicalion 0111 single-adion to be pertonned t<>r aclivaling
sngl&-8clion ordetng when an item i. to be ordered, and incIude.the iderrtif""
in !he request to ordet the item so Ihel the i<lenlifier identifies IKXXlU"Il
inloonatOoo previously supplied by 1he user, Claim 1 also provides /of cMr'lging
acoount inlonn8lion by logoging in 10 lhe server S1$lam, Claim 1 is 8S follQws
" " - in.

,",,*.~ fItIm. sa
"*"
$ySIom "" o«IeMg .. ...", "'" . . - QOollll'\Sio>g
........,. clio.. _ 0 1 ,... _ _,
pe-.., .. ~ die.. _ _ ...... die.. .,•••""
_ .. illIm it ,. r..-.d.
'""""~ ......." ........... ~"'" ..." ..., ~

IndIcMIon 01 . . . ..,,101I ,,,- Is .. ha .... foolMO .. _ _ ,... _
.
iI<m;_
in _ to lilt """'" iOn -.u fOo"OOd. sanding to lilt
_ _ . _ .. __ ' _ m~ ..... ' ... _
_ , It>o _1do"rMr_~""'" 01I<JmI0ll0n~
supplied 1'1' • ....-oIn.. _ _ -... "'" """ '*"'" not'- to

IOQ in to lIIO _ . , . . . . . _ . ""'"""" ttIO iMm; ...,
_ _ "'-iOtoha<ftqe(l.
~ ... IOQ in 01 ,....... to lIIO _ '\'SI.m:
~ ~ _ _ inlormoIioo:""
"""""" ttIO u¢olO<l _ inIOm>OliOn tottlO_
•
.,.."
-"., ""_ "'IOg;""' ......"'.. .......,..-
~ It>o ...." _10 log in to n eIIangk>g
preYioooly ~ inI<>rmoIion
I 10 I Claoms 2 10 18 intfoduce M,eral .anabons on the oroenng method of claim 1

inckxIing'
SI"i'dlYing !hal the 1ype 01 account inkWmation is bill"", and/or

sIliWing inlonnation;
providing tGr e1ient1_ COOJ:'JU'lica1ion via the Internet
the """,er a>nforming II gene<81ed order:
clK:king II mouse bull"" when "aKSOf is pos;tioned 0Yf!J( II
pr9deIined lItN ollhe display9d inkWmation;
displa)ting partial informabon "'!he user's idenI~y, partial shiJlPing
inl'OO'natOoo ~ 00 lh& _ . or partial payment inlOOl'l8tioo
preMrrt on the """'$I';
orde<ing the itam altamativel\t using II .hopping can model;
the t«ver comtlining multiple orde< ~ into II single O«le<;
the seNe< combiImlg IrUliple ""ll"'5tS into II single ordet when
sent within" certain time im..... al, sud! as 90 mirJJlas:
inck.JdW"lg an ordered "91\1 in an ordet with anort>et ilam based on
similar availability:
categorizing order IIva;lat>ilily lOS Sl>:lf1-1arm 0< lo!'ll1-1erm aO<1lor
intaomedial9-le<m; end
displaying an indicat"", 1haI an order may be cancelled withn II
time PlIfOod.
111 I CI",m 19 sets forth single-adion adering and combining ...dlln into II slngle
"""
,. A """""" ... (0;0'"
~ trom • _
_10<.. . . . . . . . , ...""""""
'\'SIom 0 _
QOonlWiOio>g
Idomllio, 01 ... ch.. _ :
. . . . - " -..ring " .. _ _ ill« .. " .. _ _, _
lOr..." 01. ~ Of iMmS,
~"'.-.~~,"" •••'II., '""""~ ..
_ 0 1 ........ _ .... iI., ... po_IO ""'nlUiod
item:_
__._10_'.. . __.. . _.. . _""'_.

in _ 1 0 .... ~It....,. t>o;ng~,....,;.,g10 ....
_.
,PIt ~ 0CC0UIf 1nlo<m.. 1on 01 • .-
""""'"' the _<:<>nIjI<.Oer "omoIicaIy combineI """'" _ . oingIe
I 12] Claims 20-32 inIro<:1.Joe variations on cia"" 19 with reSpecllO ~ the

,
ada.. into a "fl\IIa order, as _II as displaying ~rt"l inlonnation and permilling
order cancellation, such lOS
the $«Ver comt>ining multiple req,.,es,," into a single order when

sen! within a certain lime inl9rltal:
selling 90 mirlJles ". the interval within whidl requests will be
comt>ned;
including an ordered ~em in on ordet with _ ilem based on
limi~ lIVailabilily;
eat9gOlizng order avaolabilily as shorH"om Of loo"o-l9lm and/or
inl.........tiate-lerm:
providing te>r e1ient1_ COOJ:'JU'lica1ion via the Internet
clicking a mouse but!(M"I when "CUO"1Ot i. pot<lioned over a
l""«Mfined area 01 the displayed inlonnation;
d;$playing pal;al informalOoo suppl;e<! bv me serve.- such as th&
........ ldenIit)t, pan"'l shipping inIormalion, or partial ""yment
inl"""abon;
ordering the itam alternatively IJSng a shopping C8id 1TIOdoel; and
displB)ting an indicabon !hal an order ma~ be cancelled withn D
time P8f00d.
113 J Inde~ndem claim 33 is similar 10 claim 19 ""cept that ~ Pfovides lor or<ler
canoell8tioo wimin a ceo1ain time inlerval instead of order COITltlOning,
Depel ideo ~ claims 3443 introduce similar ....ialions aslcu"ld in claims 20-32
... A (0;0'" _10<

•
~
compononl'~ .-
¢OOllp<iOio>g
lJom • _ 'l"'Iom 0 __
of".. clienI - . . _ "'.. -..0,1>0 _ Ide_ .,.,."""',

'~lr.._ ...... t'I'~ _ _
.......rr;ng ......... 0I0o>\I-''' _ or. Sing" _
.............. IO _ _ 'I>o_Ilom_ ....
• _ , . _ _ the _ _ item oIonII_ the die<'<
.... ;0 .. lit
~IO ....
_.1IIe
_.\'SI.m
_ _ lde~ """"""" ~ _..,. """'*'" l>y ....,
_ .....-_""'_IOIOg"' ..'.._ ........ _~
'hellom:_
• cornpooenl'~"'-" oa:ount inIofmOlion by """",",oting U..
109 in "' .... ..-tolllO _ _• . - m Q _ """"""
. . . - ""'" '.. ow, """ OOO"'"'Q""
,,,"-system
._OCI"""""".-.- to
115 J Ciao"," 45-50 ~ lor the following:
specifying Iha1the lype 01 acoounI infomIaIion i. billing and/or

,
sIliWing inlonnation;
clicking a mouse but!(M"I when • <:ur1Ot is p""!ioned over •
preOOfined ... am of the displayed infomIaIicn:
Ofdering the item aHematiWlly using a shopping Clln:I~;
the $llf\Ier combining nUliple ordet ~I$ into • single order;
~
d;tplaying an indicatOoo thai an order may be cancelled within a

lime perlod
I 16] Independent claim 51 adds the $199 01 automalic genetation of a single ordet lot
i<lenlified items wrthoullhe ....... having to spe<:if)' thallhe)' be 50 combined.
I 17] Independent claim 60 ind\.o:le$, a~ with single«tion ordering, displaying an

indicalion of the possibilitv 01 orde< cancel~.
r 18] Independent daim 66 is similar to claim 1 The ' ' ' ' '1'linO dependent claims 52_
59, 61-07 and 69-75 Sl""'cify ..mila< prtMsOons as those noI8d in ",,~i...
QependanI: cia......
I 19] Thus, the ma;n tt>em& common 10 all of th& claims is singl&-action ordering by
vl'b,.oe of the trensmitteod d>en1 Odenlif.... being associated wiIh purd'Ia$er~
account informaIion a~8ad\I ",,""eel at 1he _ _ system. Eadl independent

claim ;s addm~1y limited by including 811_1 one olttle following leaIures;
....... log in for changing ....... account inIormalion; BUtomalic combinabon 01
mJltiple orde.. into a single order; and displaying an indicalion thai an ordet coo
be cancelled within a lOne inl9t'ltal.
ISSUES
120 I The FiM Action dated J<ne '., 2004 giYe$ rise to ttlefollowingquestoaos:
1 Nedaim. 1-75obvious oodef Section 28.3 oflhe Patent Ad?
2 Are claims 1 to 75 direaed to non-stalUlory SlJljecI maner under Sect....

2 01 the Patent Ad? Wha1" the approactl to be followed?
The Summary 01 R8a"""s from the e.aminer did not refer 10 !he objection in !he
Final AdOoo to the apparatus claims ~ 10 500 ...-.oe.- 5ed000 2 of the Pat8nt Act.
H""""""". before !he Healing, the Board ill!aTloed the Applican1lhal all oflhe
claims would be assessed for compliance with Section 2 of the Pat8nt Ad,
to !he S<bstance (lithe claimed irlv9nlion. and no! only
consiSI\lfl1 with looking
the fOlm (lithe claims. AI !he Hearing. !he Applicanl _ s e d all 01 !he et,,;ms
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obviousness
•
OBVIOUSNESS
The Examln.r'. position
I 27] The S""""lIry 01 Reason. forwarded to the AppIicanl n;a;ntained the llljecliQn 01
cl8ims 1 to 75 for being ob¥ioos in view 01 Ye~1 ItIId the .... ",.. , knowledge 01
using client iOentffi.... tor oo-line po.n:tlasing methods as taught bv me Joumlll of
De$ign SCie'""".
I26 I The Exeminer lWgued thai th& claimed Ofde<iog method was obvious, stating in
".,
Tho ......,. 01 <IItIO<rQ ....... 0/Il1O _ ....ntion USM _ " '

Roo> • _ _ ""the_syotem'o_ onle~_.
wittle 0iI'I(IIt <liCk, -..;1_ IOgying .. 10 tt>o so_ s,sMm, YOliI_

............. """""" (II """"'"'lI ...,• ....- -.... <oYstt_ .... y
<If mal not 110 .....- "-Indo. 01
coo ........ 10
>hoppo<s. Showe.. ..., ... requir<ld 10 log on using "1'1_ or •
"",,"tomOle.~ ~ '21). y~ ........ _tt>o _Of""
"'...... "". ""'... ~ m) eo<> _ _,.
loll> on "'''''110,""""" k>f some or" _
_review. yqhpreYious....,.,....,."'lI
onalJlk>g ,"""'"' skljI
_ _ Iheif
. , _ -..;lhio _...,... _ _ lilt "'*""""" nl IIul'
lIo""l'fO_ using ...... - . . . _50' ..-..........
.......... . . . . . - to logon to molo 0 purd>o Thus. ....1lno moIho<lo
..... _ _ fof ordering on iI<m whdI _ , to Older on IIem 1'1'
• """'" ooh"" ... <:ItlII1y ...._ intllt p:;or'" oIY~.
I zg] The El<8mine. _e<llha! Va,,1 pro.idee an "Inslant Buy MOl' lor some or all
itams" on page 326.
r 30 I The Examiner a~ argued Iha1 logging in to ctIange IlIXXlOn1 inlormalion was not
illY<lfllive, slating
Vqh ~ _ ....-can onler ~

Il>ol • by • "'ge OClion
~"".nt IIul' _l"will""-': ~ ,r.em to lOll using' _
",,,,,,",", _ 121. y ... _ ~ .... . . - . _ ~ " ' ...
_ _ "" """" I!>on batlc _ 01 01I<JmIati0n. TbilImplIos
,,,. cl>oniIin\I_ -=<OlI i'1I<>mIoIion "'QUifeI .!"qIer Ie 01
~. SUCII . . . _ Of "",", " _l!l*rIlIo - . . . to .........
'''.WlOlogOolto<Ntqt ............. _
_ SifllIIt_-.g,
• oInQ"~,"""
' .. _ _ Of .... '......... eu. ......... _ """"""'\I'" V...
131 I Wnh rasped ,,,the felilUfa clade< cancel~, the Examiner staled
V",I-. not onler oonnot be~. YefiI_'"

_ to. cancel _ is "'" ... _ , • is _ _ in lilt
..... "_...
""""..._n
_~."'-.
plac<Id, ... _
_ . ""'oin lime period. '.g., before
'JfIO"'~
.....
.is~.
~"' cancel """".
Showen <IIonge
,_ _ ...... _. " .. """"""'~.-o«>o _ _ ,.........
.._-""...,-y
...-10 ....
..mjod
................._
claims.
...""".......-
I 32] In diSCUssl"lllhe feat"'" of combining muKip'" or<len into" single order, the
Examinet had INs 10 say
... ,. . _ .....toty ..... . , . - . g _ .. ......", .....

~ dittiIQIlisI> 0WIf .... prior'"
_u..._
Based on 1he Examiner's statement in the "Non-SIalUlory subjed matt..... oed....
01 the Final Adion ItIal ·It".. ...-.:Ie~y;ng lectricall9alures oI1he Sy$Iem remain
the sa:ne", d is clear that she a>n"<lers !he poIenIially disbngllOshing fe8lU'e 01
the item Ofdering scheme to bit JlOrI-6la1uto<y lIOd not pateo1a~ distirlgu;ahing
~ it i. non~&ehnicaI in '*urtI_
I 33] There are simi18ritoes ~ the Examiner's statement and the pndOoe in th&
El60pean Palen! OffICe (EPO). IN !HE EPO. non-te<:hnicallealU'es mB)I. in some
inslances, not be consKlefed to ''''''' pari of the irMIntive stap_ In ofher cases,
1"l(lI">-1edY'ica1 leal",," may conklt a further ledY'ica1 $!feel. The Bo8rd ..
..........re 01 Bny Caned"'" p'ispruclence either "'-"PC"1ing Of dism..sing these
consiOeralOoos in a lest fOf otI'o'iouaoeas. The Board is of the opinion tha1
S<.b$ectOor"l 60(1) oI1he P9t9nt ~ . ...tid> specifies Ihal "the descriplion shllil
<lescril>e the irMIntion in ,81m. 1hal allew the un<lerstandi"ll 0111>& le<:tnlcal
problem, ' , " and ~s 1lOlut000", is consiSl&nl with IUCIl consid_OooI.
I 34] _ . even d these consideralOoo' could be part 01 a tast for obv"""""ss, it

would no! be appropr>a!a 10 simply d"""n non-te<:tnocal faatu'eS from an
anaIy.i. 01 ...... nIivena.S; ~ would be nece.sary thai. someIh>ng 01 a .......
t&Chnical natulI be lurthar alsaned for a lurther laetrical affact. This would
re<J.l~a an aot>cutaled and struelured lne 01 reason>ng to permill'lse.smant 01
obv"""""ss by d,OCIiminali"ll~, and analys<"IIlIla interplay 01. le<:tnlcal
and oon-teehnicallaallJ"as in lila claomad inwnlion, Since the proseculOoo
lrI<ler obvioosne-s. <I<>e-s noIpu""" th.. type 01 reasoning, lila Board camoI
give any -9lt 10 1he above quoI8d statement while comparing 1he claims 10 1he
pr"", art. The Boatd I"9COI\'II\'I8nds lhal1he treatment of nonotechnicallealures in
a leSll<>r obvi<>u......... shook:I be Subje<:lIO flJl1tw analysis by lhe Office 10
detarmine proper pr&Cloc..
The AppIlcant's response
[35] In response 10 1he FiM Action. 1he Applicant aJ9.l8d thai yetil do::>on not disclose
sngl&-8Clion ord'lrng. because checkouI is slill ~1"9d in 1he Nelscape
Me<cham System Inslanl Buy Button
[JEl] The Applicant also disagreed !hal Y~il disclosed sngl&-8ClOon on1erng wrthoul
the need 10 log in, slalng in part
... n.. pInse _«III)' Ihe bominer is token "'" 01 oonIe.<I. ..

_ lI)"rotf-.ge_",,", v~. _ 121,
~ ~_to.,..... - - . . ""... "" It>owe~is, to
• -... , _ _, 00I100<10Wy ..... . - . y
roo- baic oI_... InIorJnD>n, F... .........,. I is posWIe
tol.Mp ~ 01 ...... - . ' eel..... _ .-;ng tt>em 1.
~ "" ..-.g. - ... "",",-
M.. dear """' 11>0 ~ ,... v~ .. diocussIng ,rot lraCkrQ 01 ....
OCliono of. _ _ ~ login, ... """"*'II' _ ... to m.te
V._.. .
.... _ _ lO\JQinll in,
n...oe, to ~ in, v.p....,

lOWiI'I\I in} is _ fOr ~
to_
l Iosieil'l_mal .. _
<_
~
...IU.""'~
<_ presum.bly
line 0 1 _ 121 01
V"':_~""IO_l. _ _.''''''is~inY'''to
_ ... _ _ • __ maymake .. _ .. ~·1iIVo
OClion _ lOWiI'I\I in. ""' ..... ,,,,, __ 0IiII oeed 10 ~ in 10 cIIonge

""'"'"" inIOfmelion.
[37] WrIh respec110 1he aulomabc comI>inalOon of rrUliple ilems imo a single order,
the Awhcant said, in part
...n.... ~ _ . ,... .....tipIo - . oacII_t>y ........

eelion. may 110............,.., ~ _. SifllIIe _ , M ~
_ , _oIlt>olWiO<" _ .. I t > o e x - . ' _ " ,

_ 'hi. oombin.. ion of fut<ns, The ~ _ ..... 11>0
........,. BIll'" opion 01 v~ _ I,"" oombin.. ion ofle.....".
_ . e........ . . - 01 v~ _ t!Irl '''''anl B"l"'....ion
_ It>o __ 10 ~ to • """"'"" _ _ , ThA.,
V",l I rrom ~ <:l>fIII>InrQ muIiplo Iloms oacII
"
r 38] In the final ActOon, the Examine'ciIed pages 11810 121 from lhisdlapl<M'. AI
the first hearing on _mile, 16"', Examinerr"'.....ed to olherpage.
2((15, the
from the $lime chapler and the Boatd gave the AppIicanl addilionlll time to
"",jew Ih&se OIher pages and to make a separ"'e Slb:n..5ion. The AppIicanl
proviOed ado;l;tionlll aro.roeo1s to th& Board in a letter daled NO'o'tIOlbe< 29",

2005, which are reproduced below
............OCIM>g"\lOings.-._ •••" T....,.....,· v _

,~ I0Il l i d "'" """"" lor~ or k>f
<:omple1 puId\Ioe." ty._,
p. 122.) y~ is suwe5IirQ Nt • ....to
Silt Nt ~ ~ """ SlilloOOOO'''_.,..........
l>I' - - . _ '~"'" """<IoogI> """'" - - . _
~"'"Iog(]oo 1O_·... 01.·~
..... ~ d r "-'"'II e.<p<rionce. <MIler <:USI<>men "'"' 110

"SCO<1""1_" l>I' """" ,""'_,,' (Y~, P. 1111-1<:2.) Thus.
....i-". OCI..-..,.., _""""_'" UOio'II_
'~in _ putdwo 'rKkoO in • SII<Ippklg call .... _
<:USlOmOr...-.... __ il>sIn.menI. _ ...... the tr.....aion
"_."(y-",p.112.)
VeJI lIlimply ~ .... ..,.. ~ tecmiques can 110
_k.. .
- " me' logo 011. ,""" the _ siIe uses
_ _ _ _ _ ,rlId<ing; 0lIl0_,' .... 'rlId<ing,
y ... .., _ _."" ' ~ " '..... "IJ
IO<:IrOq<>o """ lie ............... ~ • aISOOmOflO log "".
_ o r , oinoe y~ - . . . _ ~ keepo "no inI<>rmmon
_,rot IIoJOOO or
<>.lSI:OmO< '" lIlO.",...", 01 hiS r>e<1'iSit1O lIIO Silt,'
V...... _k.".;ng_""'_-_"'_
_.\'SI.m·__
-. .
~....,.-
_
........ oI'...
. . . .m.... _ I O .. _""" ... .,O...,....

II'y'...
1<10_
_01_~_~_'~
The of _ _ ~ is noI NO"" 10 log in """"

_inII . ~ . _Il1O ~",_.... t<1oCIOnQiS
"'" .omg to _ . _ _ ~ _ " "'"""'IJ' pu«N". Tho
In_ _ .... 01_ ...._ , ....................,
JIfe"iously oupplied _
~ ~ . . . m_
......... <1'0"'_1_ ""'" ... _
irrlom>oIion (e.g•• biIirQ irJI<>rmD>n _
Of _ ''''''OIioogj l:'I' "pen$OIll".
.....ml .... _
•
'\'SI.m' ... --*"Q .... _ _ 10'" _ '\'SI.m _ on

item is _ . T". _ _ iIle, the uoer ... ,,,.
_ inIOfmoli"" .......... _ "'" 1>0.. 10 IOQ .. Of.....,..,. ...

_ inIOfm..... _ pIO<jo>g on..-. Tho ....,.-.
_ , """" • ...-10 IOQ '" ...... <:I\OrQO"Q _
. __...._.lIfO..... "'_.'"90_.·._
irIlomIoIioo. By '"" noquiring • uoer 10 log plocil"Q on order.....
.-wog 0.'" to log .. _ ~ _ inIOfmOl"', ,roo
pl.... "" _ <>SinQ lIIO _ _ .,.,om os SIOogil_' _ , ,roe.
,.. __ ""_.... _.e<;O"··lllO'.. __ "'_
...-lolcllllO loglImU _ and not Itlo _ . Slnoo Itlo _ cannot
.-
log on to ct.''V'' the _ _ 01I<>rm0Ii0n, .... """" MIl ... _ to
'''IOgil_' __ ing '''lOogilimOlO..- _ 0I1tlo ~
139 J Al1he 1Waring, !he Applicant ra~_o<l!hese .g<merl1s 10 illustrata!he

(j;ffer/lrlC$S between yetil and !he claimed inv«l1ion.
140 J The Applicant atso acI<nowIedged 1hat !he ~ice of cancelting an order at
relaiters was """"" and accepI9d thal canoemng orders Os an aspect of relaiting,
H""""""". the AppIioan1 empha",zed thal claims 33-43 and claims 6Q.67 are no!
reeiling order cancellation, but rattler "(j;tplaying an indicatOoo tha1the on3er lor
the itam that i. raquasted can be canoellad wiII'in a tima intarval." The Applicant
slated tha11his indicat"", is displayed alongside the single adOoo ...daring
ioo;ca1ion and ~ is useful _ impulse p<n:ha-. can De raassured tha1
the~ hIM! the opIion to caro::et ";1hin • <:e<taOn bme ~, ......... 1hough there is
no ched<ouI r••;-. The Applicant said 1hat y~il does no! sa~ anyttling about a
canoel opIion or gn indication lor orOer <:RnCRllation.
Legal PrlnclplRS ' ObYlousness
The gyaflion
141 J A tastlor obYiousna.s was lISIabiished by !he FlIdaral Co<n 01 Appeal in Beloit
Canada Ud v, Va/mel Oy{l9fl6), 6CP.R (3d) 289 (F.CA), at 294 (Beloit)
Tho lflI "" _ _ is not to ... _ _ ",. ""' '"

-.1<1 _ to _ . ,he pmtJIorn. _ _ 'JI'_ion
_ _ _"'""" _ .. _fler'hismylhi<:al..-.....,
, -.1<1 , , , ~ """'" _ " . _ diIfiCuly to lIIO ......ion ''''-V/ll
'JI'lIIO J>OI .
Thus, a IeSllor olNiousness can ask _ the "tedn0Ci8n skilled in !he .r!'
\fl'OIJld ~ dong 10 solve !he proo!.lTl.
142 J Recen1Iy, in ApoIex Inc. v. Sanofi-SynthfJlalJo Canada Inc., 2006 SCC 61. 69
CPR (4 a ) 251, at paragraph 62 ISlInoI'i), RothS!';n J. had this !o &a~ aboulthe
BeIoiIIeSt
1&211 dO not .... _ .........., J.A. In _inIoM«I_ lIIO """'"

- . . ~ '" _ _ '''''' no _ "" 'PfllOOO '" ..
aoom_ _ ~to"do ..... OIdo1mo.
"
The Supreme Co<n 01 Canada funher set out a ftu-S1"1' approadl for
anan.ng obviouStle$S which will be discussed in the analysis.
[43] There i' IIOme r"k mat the test in Beloit may end up in a ~11or armeipa1ion.
In .latlss9n-0tfh01nc. v. Novoplwm Ud" 2006 Fe 1234, 57 C.PR. (4th) 6,
affirmed 2007 FCA 217, 59 CPR (4~) 116, paragra~. 111-113 [JItIlSS6nl,
belGre llet\jog fGrttl tem and criteria applicable to th& questOoo 01 OI:Wi<lo.Isoeas,
Hughes J. had !hI to .....,. aboullhe Beloit lest [~i. 8ddedJ:
JI4<!Of1ntion oomn po......... ""'" to !till for ............""' "'by

.... ~ Co<o1 of ~ ~. is to be lnI.rpreIe<Il~ ....-
...... "'M 011 1>0. ·""..,.,.iIO Of _ _ O f ~ · Il<ld lhOt
"""II _ _ ...., _,-10 ..... "'*"""'...... ""'..
__ moo " moll ... only <>no _y 10 . . 10 ~ _
.. Ihe in_ _ "'.. U.. ..,..nIion lOU\ff is di_!rom " .. <1_
11;s. jl tI!tCl lill1! q;......,. 1Ill!!' W!!SiII!"'iOll PI 1"Ki"W?Q
I 44 J To d<stiogu;sh between DnIicipaIion _ obviousness, in Eli UIy Canada Inc. v.

Apole~ Inc.• 2006 Fe 142, 63 C.P.A. (4th) 406, (curreo1ly UIlOer appeal to the
F.CAl, al paragraphs 127-126. Hughes J. had thi'l" !la1 (empha"s added]
,v ....._ .... ..._ _ .......

'hoIr _ _ on'.. ~ .... _ ""_._....
,,,. In...man be _ . .-....,. Oesj_ "' F _ Co<o1 of
"""" ~ lIlO"""""",, .. _ , _ & 1IO<lpO' hit •.
"-"'" T-..o UtlJUH (lW3), . , C.P.R. (3oj) l~ (FOCI. C ....,) ot _ _
lQ7·1l11l.S""~"'''~ion'''''_
. ... ~
""""""" IltIOugh t>olh _ " . . . . _ '" lOCI. P In ""', "" _ in lIlO
_ of """' ..... bot .. to lit _ G ". $1>0 .....,
Prlor . . may be.oed in " .. ~ 01 bolh "'"'" WI difleo ......

H.<I. Fox, Clo-.o POl.'"
l.M _ Pn<:lOOO, ..".." CTOIOIllO:
e.-.'~"""J7_
_. ,,"""---- ..... ...-

P.... ,..,.,.,-. .... _.-I)'.oed to _ oro:i<>poIion
~ tt>oy _ -..cOOl". _1uII7 "".. ,roo _ r...
-".
spodl\callon ... I cannot 110 oood . . on onIicIpoOlon. ~
....oed .. !ndicotino t!IO ..... oIl1!o .n f! !he ..... ,"'lI!o
~ _hiS 1IIlO\I..:l_1on lOll IS ""","IN!llII
ll!Iillllt P"!"'" P'l .., SiQtt. 09!11~""i2" to txj ....

l.oowIt<Iot .. 1O It<k M'l!"H ....... 01 """"'Ion ...
10 be merelY lI!MouJ.
~Ion ...... "'-'Ott"" ............ $O"If;l1t _ _

Wu<ti' gIwoa. _ poroon_1s claImod _ ...... , . . - ~
aI. In n.. ewe 01-....-.. _ . ,,,. Prior til o!Ioulil be
ntyjtwId f!!Il j1t!wl!E!!iy! t!!tCI mn""!Il", "'" ..... p, 1:2.
'2'l ~,to""""'*'
ustf
" \li_by"'oro,'~ ClII1
""" <_ "' ...-- SUI.. •"""" _
"" _ . Thom.-. _ , _OCI _ to 0sg00<00
I - . ... ~ _f'f<>gno_iI'I~lr.ebll", --,
'" ....- . ... 50"'. . . _ , COO _ ,
bfyt Il9r d9 rpy P"lIlt PriOt lOr f!llJl!lIli'WI !SN ret! "" _ •.
'N '" -.... .. ,,,- maIIOf is to «IfISi<lN ..... _ . OM

been lelIl9r ~ given U.. prior .... If ~ is 09 "rwm" Of!he--.,.
C9Il!d l?t ljIOd ltr. 1ltES9p SU!04 il " " M! wjltIOuI dOinQ '1l'Il!!Q! "Y!ll!jyt
,!!til .... mont! jS l<Wc>i!tq gr 0!>J!0Iif,
Problem and 191u1ion
145] ThaI a palen! usually inllOlves an i,wenli"" soIuIion 10 8 """"ical problem, i. a

-rumen! refIecIed in ApoIex Inc. v. WI!RcomII Fo<mdation LM., 2002 sec 77,
(2002) 4 SC.R 153, al patagtaph 37, where ~ was Il'l"'l'"ally .laled by BiMie J.
(emphasis Bdded)'
S7 A - . .. OM....., uid "'""'Y , - ' II '"" .....- .. on

-=l_orcMc _ f o r ~.• is._by","",,~
~ to!l!!diGll C!rllJ!trM put>IiO_ by ....
fIO'<I""SO (II • _OCI "lOO_ "". -... ......
146] In Glalt.oSmith/(jnfJ Inc. v. Canadit (MinisttNofH_I. 2003 Fe 899, 28 e.PR

(4th) 307. at paragrapfl45. th& Feden.' Court (j;seuSMd th& considefalions of
problem and ooIU1ion "'""" answering !he question of ot>v..... ness, staling in
pari (empha5i. added)
4S T"" ... ion of _ ..........imOldy ........ Iock oIloven"....... In

'eee. Mr• .-oSliOt R _ , in C.l>OI CO</I. Yo 31!ll502 omMiOUil. (HIllS), 20
C.P.1t ~ .:\2(F.... T.O.).""' .. ,..._"",.. ,................_ ...
_ ........ 01 poIO<UI>Ilily'
.oJtr>ouyll '"" - . . . . . , SO .._ inN ...... invt.-;_ is on

......,.. _ _ '" JlOI_......._ by H.G. Fox""'-'
Car>o<Ion lJw ... P _ Rololk"Q to loIIon P..... for
,•...moe.., .. PII. TO _71,
" ' _ '.... "'"'II ........ ~

,... -.1<1 dncIly 0<CIIf to _ _ """ ~ k>f
-......novel.•.-.....f_,or_lmigN:
..., """""-'11M - - . . 01 hi> fIaYinQ ,"dO ..,
~ or ......... ~. or-..en._'IM
-.n:n ... in ,,,. -.wry Of"""""", - . ...... So, It>o
...... bI' ~ .. olije<l ~ _ "'"' lie quile ~
..-.l """"""', t>ul ,.. ,,,.... ",",'" ..._ , d 1M
~~ .. _ " ••_lhOt ... _ , ......
-..0'''' "'""' ... _ ~ _ _ .l!I/!!l!l
,,*,, It I IIfO!IlIm 1'I<OitR! """,Ion """"""," ooMnlI
,t>o! or<>b!om io Iil;.~ to be fW'I!H! OJ one "'''''''"'''
:m:tl!i!lll, POotiCuIlII1J ~'_I>O .._
~
_In
- . .. _ .....
ffCO<riIh! !I'Ia! I
oroll!em Y!I>i<t> io _
~m. TM" mil tit . . iW'rtiyt
oro!>Iorn .!ds!s ot'"
t!III
to.!!ioI Y!I>i<t> ~ io!lle 00jeg
g1""",
of'' '"
ny!QljslO lQ sgty, 'til gutljljQO I!llIyI • ,,,'" Y"''i9r
dIimfol br!ll! P!It!t!t .....,,!!OUI5I !ItyI S!(fll!M 19
"""""" of onlNly •• ,. tnol M?'Ml!ance lO!!!l !hi
....."
wtJjeg........ 01 .,."., g • ." his mm!9 ....
.fll ~,I!lo ..... Slop lmu.. lake 1110 ••_ .... prior . .
~ tothe "'" 01 ,_ on iI. <!<!ennine """",",!!Ie
W"'iO!J C!Ijmt<l by Gl_ _ ..... l9CIJ!!OUI5I MY. gro..... lI!
!Y!f)'9!lt PI O!l!....'" 1nI";oe!!C! I!'!!l M?"!'!!'!!Ct'" _.l!!llI
""""",!!o mRIlO l!!o oroI>Itrn_
Thus, in most .. tuatkns one IIUS1 consider obviouSMS' trom the pe<spediv, of
wheIhet the sok.Jlion dlIimed woukll'l9ve 0CQ.a"ted 10 the skilled 1~ who
applied hi. mind to !he problem
[47] IvJ invention Ooes not have to be one $OIution to onl)' one problem because
solving one pmblem may IJ'MI rise to . _ problem (AB Hassle v. Genp/Jllrm
IOC., 2003 Fe 1443, 243 F,T.R. 6, paragraphs 49-50). However,. cla;med
solution '0 a problem !hal sets fCW1h .......lated l.alUr•• '0 """'0 a separale and
d;fferem Pfoblem may require Iu1her atl8lllion. Before a!lempling to apply tests
ff)< otIYiousness. one must 09cide whallhe nverrtion i. and whether lhete i, only
one in'<enbon to be considered 0< more !han one (See Canadian Parent At;r
Annotatec/, r ed~ion. Barrigar, 26.325. May 2006; citing saba! SpA v, !.IFI
Fumilure C9tlIr8S Limited, (2004] UKHL 45 at paragraphs 22-26 [S8b8~.
appea4ed from [20021 EWCA eiv 976).
The s!<lled !eCllnician 80d !he problem to be solved
1481 Identifying the notional skilled petson in the aot is aot irrp::IrtanI aspecl 01 the
obvioosness inquiry 1$aIIoJj - P"'''O'''JIh 67]. In fJJme<::on 1nd<Jstrie$ Ud. v.
Nutron MallUlacturing Ud. (1997). 72 C.P,R. (3d) 397 (F ,CAl. a1 pllf&gr3p1'l 10.
the conoept 01 the skilled ""ltkman was framed in 'elation to the problem to be
overcome, as follows lemphasis - I
_ " ............ ""'"""<I " Tn", -'"lge , , - . _ the "'.......

_ _ _ _ in tilt os"" "'" tilt ......... Of .._
_ .... _ _",.-y • ~"'" '" 'OCI "" ...
-....-MIn. G~.n It10 _ ortifIdoIiIj "' .... ~ "' ....
-
-•
lp l.l("'·I'lni'n',
•
,
-
-• ~
-• -
- -•
•
i i ~ ~ I~ I I . I ~. • HUH i~P
! 0 ~.
~ .. I ' - i _! .. Ii· i
p '". l ' I
'~Ij.lZ !
I'~ • • Hi If , T
! ' I •
.. ! ,
. Inli~h
~~ !il'~i['Ii!i[f~if
"-i- "l i
O>~
• i'
i " ~ • q~Sl
~ f.l . £"
~ I"- • !
I'
-, 1...." i,<,!'·l~·~r,~n
'!Ii,~i"
"
a
"~g ••, . .• - Z, • •f
il;·~:g, .. ~~·!:!~;~ z· I '
.. -Ii _ l ,
~
1
"
-<
ii" .='
!. Ii i I . !s-'"
.. S"'l
, , • ~ I
r"~
~:".il"
~
.. o<i'~
i I I
!"; ....
I •r I'
_ I • I
.!,
- ,
•"
i
IiI ~ [
•Ii'
."_.!_m
,
~
~I
.~: i"
. . ia
!
i' -I" ~
a;
ji;"I· i·:5: ,
•
' ! 1• •
1~1~=IIIII·;I"J;i
in [I~ ,i , f: ~ ,••", i d, .. [.q [ *, ~ ~ i !
n., " I •.
,... i3'
8 Ii" 1t
!l!
H. I II ~ i . iii i i r! t ! ~
"
i . " p' .. ,- ! Iii g" " !!i !l
i' ..
!L ..
,
"• -
,. ,
~
•, ~~
i
! ; Iii
n 'i - I ~ I I r
I
i eI ~ I -fi It .'
-p d
- I'
~ ! Z• " l . i I ., ",. '!

•§j I ! !f i
<0' e_of..-._ _ ,
r boo< io _ or ~ oubocripIion
.....ry ,sk.iIikn to ... up on ......... -..II.
... ""'*'1 ...... tt>o """"OIl - . . Wet> $h, _._zoo } I

<:IIOOSO_._ _ _..
.... to UP" """""" to _ _ of on, '...., 10
..... W!I!OS! MY ........ puM!H , """«I!l.... I1):iyISIyt
Thus, "" in the inslanl applic8lion, Ye~11OO ad<nowIedged the ~i';e nalure
~ some 1n1eme1 posehases.
[53] On pages 112 BOO 115, Y~I provides flJl1tw infonnabon about sessiolHlased
trad<.ing and when a new visit to a oile begins [emphasis added)
," ... Aft"so !yOrq . . f!SP"9!!l or 'f!S!M _lilt! my '"

_._k....;ng_ .... _ . "'_
'mo. No 1nlo<m.. 1on _ 1M """""'" iIIl.olM- 011 1M _ bO\'OIId
" .. _ of .... ."IIerYisit .. lhesile. -"'_'JKM>ilis
-
-.... _"l_~"""" _0IlirllI
Kthe goods." - . . I ""or .... , _ .-..., 110 inlom>oIioo

...... be _ -..;In t!IO _ .",..,.
OIlOOyn'Iil,
of .. E·"'" _ _ for
for
~ . 00 ... """"n.....,.""" nPlllC!'":1....,""

"n" 7!f@!no modo! JI . . . . . Jllloo!no_m., '-10
remoioonfJ!e
ThO SI><>"",,,,, COn

_-...._lI)'aeoIin\I.~OOfl for ....
.........,.,.,_ ..... lIlO_"'lIlO~_iOo!OO.~
',,"000 ' .. _ ..... oonI.... _ _ .,.. ....
....... Tbon,""" pIIyOIcal-., "'" CUSI _ _.... 11>0
~ .........-. _leo. _ .... tran>a<tion ,,<Io0o.
_TrKklngT......
"
_: A_of~fiIe_mode by""".- .. lui"""
silo. 11_ I __ ....... ro "",..,'!rom , oiII Wrino'
orede!emIinod (0!I!l <l!!qe!ior.-Yl oerioIl 01 """"...... hi!!I'OI!!!l
C9DlljIylt l!rI btlinojrl> Of' .,.. YiSjl, ThO _ ...... SlO<lOllnl-.ooA
""'''''';0 :lO ~ "" .. _ . lOt _ of " " " _ .
I 54 J On page 118, Y"'iil describes how 5Ubscription.ba5ed trBd<ino can collecl

intOOllabon by requiri"ll alst<>mer f"llistralion:
"""""'" is on ~ _ _ of
. . ._.w""'_..,._.. . . . __........
SWl<>iIfu"_'~
otuiI'IinQ """,""" """""oli,," in tilt " " _ ~ of 000''''''00, for
-~
T""","","" _ .... ~ ,o1M UOl ..... _111..
' . . ""","",' fill ... on .-.-Iom> 0<>- """ _ . . on __
_ ~_"' ... _ _ MI!lo P"j...... UOlOono
""_ ~ """'.r
CoI!tctioQ M100!tf jo!orma1ioo
[55] Page 121 poin1. out tr'oaI the otljectiw to track aOd ac<::$S$ useful ClISlomer
ir'tG/Yll8lioo can be ach>eved in both fe""on .nd S<.b$criplion-based model.
(emphasis added)
Rooulrino f!QI"~ 10 ~ SII<JlIl>k>g <:aIlS on ,he w..o 10. 10.

<:enoin.-. _ .... 1 " ........,. is no! !!OlieM!!'l1of bas!<
lIyIlI PI Yiljl<:r ;19J!"'jM. for -.co. I is mw' 19 lIOP1I!dl1l!
tom! ......... t1i2?' lri!IOIll ...... $ 1!!!m..,199 OIl .... oo. OISSWO!lI
lIUi!llII. s.so;oo._ _ ,~""""",,"~1hiI
... 1M inIO<ml""" _ ... by _ ................... in tilt

_ _ of"'" "$iIOo"POY<fW_ ~- __
(de""'llfOlllllc kOo.- _ ....10Iics) mOl _ o n • ~
~01""_. "is • ...,..~_ ..... _
Coo!<ie 19d:Do!OQY
[56] Pages 124 to 125 ~ yetil. a~ JlCIl eiIed by me Examiner. prov;"e som&
,:Ie"il, aboul cookillec1'nology under the genet.1 heading "A$l<ing U_.1or
InIormaIion - Privacy Is."",',
MagI<Cookin
1110 ""'_ of. _ . _ .... __..-_ '.....'...
rerognIIIoo _ . JlgrWlIcanlly._ 1M ~
of _ _ ~
"
·loIauIc·_ ... • II'y can
Roo> ..... _""inlom>oIioo'o fI<>m. _ .. _ . The.-;e.
_by~ ..... MCI,iOUOOI\IlIOr '.
~ ••- . . - " ' . " '.._ _ • _ _ IO< _ _. _
by~.<OOklo,._can
i n _ l O r .,...." _
..... _
, , , T'" oaioo
...... _of.__
of.~ inIofmOlion lnIo
1M.,.,.,... "' ...., is _ to •• """"~. Tlli$1yIlO 01
_ _ ",_ _ -.g_.OO _ _•
157 J In ..... understanding, 'state" informal.... is inIormaIion abouI a lXlIIVI'U"IicII

~ . user 80d a Mrver. HTTP,mepro\O(::Ol tha1 ~s me World-Wide
Web (WWW), i. statelom. ThaI is. each re<J.Il'$1 (over !he ~b) $I8I"ds on ill
own; angln _ . don't r>ee<l1O remember what happeoed with Pfeviou.
~ 10 MlVk:e • . - 00& rme ll1ate°]. In th& broadest sense. a cookie
allows D sile '0 store SIBle inlormalion on .......... machine. Th. inlormaIion_
Ii Web site (i.e. _ I ,ecall_ slata1he user's browser i. in. In operation, by
inlro<luo:ing stale I'll" HTIP, ~ and response headet. ClIny!he state back
and 1cw1h. Itus rel""'ing the origin _ from r>ee<ling 10 keep nn e><lenoi.....
pe.-.... ser or p8f~ion ,&COrd 01 the 'state' infom\a1ion.
159 J From Ye~l, _ oodefstand that "Slate' informalion can inducl& a variety 01
inl'e>rmatoao, IIlollows mat any infomlaIion transmitted by a user can be ircl..o»:l
in B coolo.iIl, ItIId ullimBIely lrBd<ed oM stored by a servet. Cook... provided
Web sil.s (serwra) the abilit)t to track all types 01 user informaIion <MI' ~me, as
acknowledged on page 124:
_ .... _ to "salllO ' .. _ -..... ..... """" ... <iiit0Cl

10 "-Indo. of I n _ ooo.llls ...... ""or limo
I 59 J Page. 11310 115 set forth some uses 01 • "cookie", mosl notably, .....""" u....
id'lnlificalion. YeJiI _as (on page 113) Ihal "cookies" can be used 10 stGre
chern _ ... infonnabon on the diem', hard dill< and !hal by idenlilyino D
rtIpe81 visitoo' it peml~s on-ttle fly-<:ustOOlizatOon of a Wet> site, A MMIf can
I'9COgI'Iize a unique VIle,...nen
pe",stenl cooki. data on a diDnt's ~e' Os
,ecognized by tbe s«ver SDmD noIabID eXOllfPlS are reprodi.lced _
[emphasis added);
_TrKklngT......
_ , TbocapoOllilyoioomo _ _" . , 10
..".. " ' . - ....... •w _10 .... _ "" '....... diSk" ' ..
.-'sPCOf...........m. 8tcfuM_""t>o l lOiI!en!lh ""'"'
mi!orJ ' '"\Wkie.......
on-!he=ftv ..... ......,.'"*'
of I W!!I to
.... 0 d'ms 'M YM! S!lINrtd .. iUrtll il dyrirI>!l!tyiOyI yjSilS. JIlt
*
!1I!ItP! ""' ..... I Wtb _1O!rtCl; "" _ Of' SfSSjOn 90'
......... UHn: AIrtooo ... mq, W!lI * _..... 0000 illW><I!!Iz!ld

os' unIouo "'" ".....,,,,,,...,.,.. log lip (;OIqIn """,,,Int mit
d@ !he O<'ftw!fe ...,.!his <!olIN fOC<IlIIIi«!/!IiQUe """J. "no
oooIOe
d @ i S _ , " " _.. u_.rIgi$lI<"I<l.-.-lOrICO\J'Iill
-.. ........
_
"no '""'.......".,..."..,_.,.
..-s'
is I Y _ . II I '... _ , " "
..........
[60] The Board ~ (rom YI$i1 mat theSe capabOlilils of cookies Ipply
~Iy to bolt> S<bscliplion end Mssion-bMed Irecl<ing models. On page 121,
Y~I has ltl.. to say abwt the ....... 01 cookies under 'Pad subs<ription site."
[Imphasis a<l<le<:lJ;
No~g TodInoloo;JieI oucII II _ _.. cookies "" t>ev' olio...

IOIoIdoo " " _ " ' - _ ~ ,......... ""' laf\lOIiIi\I
~. Of""""'-. inI<omoIion!rom U.. _ 1 9 011o ..-.
......
F...... "'PO 19' _ , _ 00<l0 v _ _ ..... _ ...
~_baCk"' .... _,...-...... .. ~o_-tla_
.... ,... customil..., " _ , ,"" .... >t<_
""'19<_-''''_'''''''''''''''''.
_ ...... ~WI
_~ _
[61] Thus, the ifT1)Of1ance of cookiH fo< tteating shopping cart designs ..... well
known be/<:lre ltle claom dale
Trackirg !lta1e jnlormation jn yesil
162] Y~I describes various kinds 01 inlonnaIion whidl a Web .ile (server> may";lI1
to track The 80atd il oIltle opinion that ltle type 01 "state" idormation to be
tmd<ed can be ctIoIen by the skilled ""'""" aooording to operational
rtlQUiflments,
163] The Board considers tha11he .killed person woukl haw appreciated1hat chern
sta.. inlOOl'l81ioo can be stored lIOd retrieved in different ways, For ~le,
.......er _iniWaIa. lIOd ~rarrmers can aeata a _ application thai
tmd<. lIOd lIore. data they wouk!llItlerw;"" ha"" managed ";ltl cook.... In
~son. cook... provide a ~ramming convenience because the !lta1e
information il stored 00 a dHlnl" ~er
164] These two ways ff)< tracking .we inklnnalion ClIn be gleaned from YeJiI. On
p"o" 112• ...nile describing session.oased tracking, ~ is stated thaI'
~. _ •• IoistorCOMOClO ... Woe ..... ,,...... _ "'" silo.

portoIms some . ._ ...... """'.....,. , , , AlIIheoe _ .... re<:onled.
",~ •• .,..,. _, ..,111.. _ .. _,
Hare, the server tracks the aclions ¥Id e.enls rA a user during the same
session. Th. stale inlormalion wwld haw 10 haw been 1rad<8d using e list or
datebase aI the serve.- and some way 10 icJeolify whictl user ~ belongs 10.
165] The other way 10 lrack .. mila< stale informaIion i. described on p"o" 113, in
rela1ion 10 cookie.
_: "TbeooolOe _ _ . _ 'toUsd<'fle_of
-
• - . , 011 • Woe ..... ~ _ ~
So e cookie is vsed 10 track swe """""alion about the

splint 011 OSCII
~
Woe
rA a session
on e Web .ile. Thal i., 'equeSlS ¥Id ,esponse heeders <:any or identify !he
slate bad< and forth. tto.IS permitting the serve.- 10 retrieve from memory pertinent
irtormalion Ihal is rela1ed '0 the SI8Ie inkWmation. For exafIllle, swe
inf"""abon in a cooI<.. could be vsed by a seMlr 10 access a psychograpllK:
profile (damograp/lics, inlereslS, etc.) in order 10 display informaIion alX:IU; other
products Iha1 mqn be rA inleteSlIO Ihal ....... (YeJiI, page 121).
A.nelysi. - section 28.3
166] Reference will be made 10 our ea~i .. re";ew rA Y~I. statemenls in tha instanl
apphca1ion, and addilional explooa1ions pro.ided by the Awhcam altha
Hearing,
OwJView; CQIIlparinq Chaple< 4 of fisil191he instant aPD!ication
167] The inslanl applicalion is ma;nfy COl """, MId with simplifying lhe proces. fOllowed
to ~lete a retailing transadion, once a ClI$tomer has decided to tluy an ~em.
169] On i1s ,ace. Chaple<4 01 Y~I se1soul maIhod• ...rnch can be ~ to

otlIain inf"""ation atlOut poteo1iel CUIl!Ol'nolf'S and makes general ,ele.-1lf'lC$ to
selling good. or serwioes ove< lhe Intemel. By leaming about poteo1iel
wstoman. ~ is possible 10 alIale a more pleasant virtual shopping experience
and, in 1l.m, this increases the likelihood 01 a sale being ~ This chapter is
conoemed with learnng more aboul a WOO ,;ta vOsitor in Otder to be abla to
make !he ne>:l '"s~ mora "'i<»'abla. Session and SlJ>saipI_sed shopping
erwironmenl$ are also d'*"uSMd,
169] Ciao"," 1 10 75 do oot Klen1ifv a _ _ sed Ot a subsaiplion-based tracking

Ot I.l oopp;, 'II a.....;,o'"''''' ~. Al !he Hearng, !he Applicant explained that !he
claimed invenlion falls into !he subsaiplion category _ reg;slralion is
required, but ~ had many 01 !he advantages 01 a sass_sad """ironment
because logoging in was oot required to plaoe an order In subsaiplion-ba$ftd
tmd<.ng, e user registers and logs in 10 e merdIan1 site, and ~ his
shippng and billng COOfdirlales...tldl are SlOfed fe>r Mae ....., The me«:hent
site ClIn pro.ide a more cuslOm>zed s/"ooppOng e.perience to ret\a"ning cuslOo''''' s.
Addilionally, Slbsaiplion--basad tracking saves shoppers from heving 10 supply
their p<n:ha_·specifoc account inloooa1ion 00 SOItlS&qi oeo1 on3ers.
I 70] Al !he !Waring, 1I>e Applicant ernphaslze<l !he main distinguishng features 01 !he
claimed invention: placing an order without logging in; and placing an order
ttvough a s<ngle-ac1ion rlll'l8-did<" ordering) A dient identifier in the coolo.ie file
irllllements meselealures, -..tly !he _ _ recognizes a ~ comput....
(Ot user) based 00 reco(TIizng !he idenbflDr in !he cookoa ItIal Os transmi!led
when Otdering an item. A u_ must hava Pfeviously "'-Wied ~ ~ c
account infomlalion lor this orderng methOd 10 WO<k. The Applicant PO;nled OU;
thai ...tIile !he l<>ChnoIog)' 01 cookies was known in !he prior an, !he periOCUlar use
01 coolo.ie technology in the instant daims was oot known
171] A1; well, !he AppIican1 pointed <lUI other subsidi"'Y features soctl asc user login
fe>r changing user account infomlalion; automalic combination 01 mulIiple ord,,"
into a single Otdet; and dOsplaying an indication ItIal an order can be canoelled
within a lime interval
I 72] From statements ~ 8111>e Haering, 1I>e Applicant S<bnits!hat the claimed
inven1ion d>stinguishes 0V8f the Pf"" all, in "'spec:! 01'
I. The laalt.o'e 01 sngl&-actioo ordeoing without ched<out slepS and

wilhoul having to re-enter ~-.pecific accoo..nt in/ormabon in
a separala page lor addiliooal ord"";
ii. A new use 01 a coolo.ie, in particul..-, 10rerr..... pu-chaser~pedf'"
account informaIion (a unique use(s billinl,1'shppOng inIormaIion)
thai was previously SlOfad;
iii. The advantage 01 a r"llistered usa.- being able 10 order without
-
logoi"" in. ...nile relaini"" !he edvanlages 01 beng a '&giSl9t&d
iv. The advantage or beoefrt 01 computer r8SOUrW Ovemead reduction

beca<.J$e f _ steps are ..-:led 10 place 80 onIeo":
v. Additional .ubsidiary leaIurn
(1) usa.-log in lor cNInging user account infonnetioo;
(2) automalic combination 01 <rUI!iple ",ders into a sngle order:
(3) displaying an indication thai an ",<leo" can be cancelled
within a lOne interval.
173] The iowrmve COI'lC:llp1 common to all claims ioch.IOeS feallJ"es I. and ii, lli><:>w•
...nich provide Ihe advantages listed as iii. and iv. The Board shell ....,.. consider
eadl 01 !he... faatu"e. in 1l.m to see how 1hey compare against the 1"""" a1 00
record. K all 01 the leallJ"es are found to lack inveotivene",. the Board must also
coosider the combinaIioo oIlhese _urns as a whole. This appmadl is
coosisteot with ...nal was stalad by Snider J. in Procter '" Gamble
~vticat5 Canada Inc, v. Ganm (M»Ii:sIer of HH/fIl). 2004 FC 204. 32
C.P.R (4th) 224. al pa,as. 93-95. K ""l' oIllle femu-e-s are kuId to be
....-.obvious. Ihe claim is not Obvious.
174] The Examiner ciled The JoumaI of Dtlsign Science 10 .how lha1 a client i<lentifi...
is in/IenlOl to the """ 0/ cook," and thai a ...""" can use a evstom..- 10
(cookie}'as 8 key 10 St"'8 ""~ inIonnIIboo !he ";sit,,, hes provided in past visits."
The p<.t>lica1ioo dale 01 trw Journal of DHign SCience was not elllablished to be
pr"" to the clawn dale o/this application. Therefore. !he 80anl did 001 consider
this n,f..."""" l.IOllw obvi<:oJsoDss.
175] H"""""",". a1 the liearing lhe A!>l>hcam _00 lhal it was well accepIed lha1
cookies """e _1I1<nown _ e lhD claim <lat8 a. discussed in boIh 01 the cited
rel8I"llOCe$: !hat the~ Iunclionad as client identili8l'$ he";"" a ~
i<lentilicalion codD (...,""" to lhD comput«); and thai cli"'" i<lenIiIi.... cook:I be
used lor various lracking po.oposas.
176] The way in whictllhD client i<lentifi... """"" in the instant applicalion is described
00 page 12 (lines "-10), as follows ["""",,,"is ad<ied]:
"'_J01,tIlO tIlO _ _ lr.oo _
_ l>JtIlO<liO............. "'_:lO:! u!tWY!lnsl!!D'Ml!n1!l!

<hJl!~I""!OIn!!ic",!!lO!I"'''''''''''''clIon!
jdtrtifi!< bN l!!tn r:tM"M Db llJII 9n'OOltr·
Tho ,m, ............. .......".."'~onllom,It>o_

Sf'lI.m """"'o_Ide_101!1e ....., _ , 1M
_ _ !!ill m'fl' ""'!hi veDr•• lIlt 9n'OOltr
*'"
....
1W!!i"M .... n '!II! id:to!I"'" ill!l! di!nt jQle4i...iM!9mtf
[n] In coosiOeratOoo of Vqil and me AppIanfs Illatements at the Hearing, me

Boatd concludes lhat!he manner of awlying cr>enl Odenlifoets ... !he "'Slarr!
application was convenIional or welll<no'Wn on the claim date
[78] WhII\ is dilletent in the instanl appIicabon is !hal the crOlnl _oet is used to
relJi_ a<XX>I.>"lt informatOoo.
[79] We noIe thai d was welll<no'Wn before the cr,,;m dale lor .......,rs to """e and
re1ri_ updated a<XX>I.>"lt informatOoo at !he MllWr lor the purpose of completing
orde.... TN5 is how 5<bscriptiOf>.based ~ models.....::rt. which the
-
Aw!leam explained is the stropping model upon which the craomed invent"", is
I 90] ThereI<>re, the variant in the use of1hll Klerllif... is in the lype of informa1ion d
retJi-.. TlW is, pu-d'laser-5pecifo:; acc<:IU"l1 information is SlGred and
accessed using "" identifier, just like other 5Iale inlormeI""'_
181] K is no! a material factor. in the Boatd's opinion• ...nather the inlonnalion being
l1500ciated wi1h a clOlnl Klerllif... identifies a uniqu& user, items of int.......ll0 a
user. or other personal infomla1ion -.tlictl may be on h80d at !he MllWr 8I><>ul
thai user, for ~le, informat"", kepi in a 5<b5aipl"'" 5ile where tha1 user is
r"lli51ered. That ....... er can racogniz. a unique user by using • cooki., .nd
make use oflhal recognition, is !he ted'nologal capabiiily or eIIect -.tl0Ch is
reflected in the cI.imed ...... nIion. TN5 te<:hnoIogical capability was I<no'Wn
beI<>re me el8im dala. The dillerence in 1hIllype of information is no! patentably
s9"iiliC8nl.
182] Vetillisls other lOmila.- u_ of cook,", lor e.amp'-: lor tracking Web IIites thal
haYe been "isited by !hal ......... nd for trad<ing the """""""" of a ""s5ion on a
W.b 5il.. Fl.f1her, it is lll>1Iiou5 tha1 II cookie may be designed 10 carry il.m
idantifi.- as Slate inlonnalion. which II can uselO rettie"e the pertinent
enlrie5 as5OCia1ed ....th each item, such 85: ilability, pricing, desaiplion,
imagoes etc. As naedad, II ......... can be programmed to display IJIfT1 oftllis
idormatOoo on one or more web pages. The <.ndarIying lec1'nological capablity
of the cool<ie is the same
183] The BolIrd finds !hat the parlicular use 01 a cookoe to relneve pun::I\Net-specilic
account inIormaIion that was P'"e~sty SIOrBd, i. obYiou•.
184] Although this paotOCular use r«:ognize. a new type 01 .tate iI't<)lmabon to be
tred<.e<l, the BolIrd considers thai thil a.~ il not irwlKlIMl. h il clear that
slate inlonnatioo can be any inlomlalion transmitted be.- a client and
......e<. Moreovet, d i. "l'l""ent Irom the instam "l'l'hclllion!hal it wasknown
thai _ I can track purcha....--.pecific accco..nt inlormaboo, wilhout .-..quiring a
customer to log'" In paoticular, reference i. made to page 3 0I1he inSlarrl
application (B~ound of the In.enlion), _ t h e Applicarn .tated (III the
Hearing) likely peo1ained 10 a ses.ioo-based lIhoppiog 1l>::Idel1~" ad<led]:
ThO _
".., or>
or._
~
iMmI!.-om'" . _
coot- """"'. _
""'.lOyS .. 110......,.
..... _ _ so_ ..
IIMl !.-om _ caIaIog. 'M _ " , . . . " . - _
n>etaphoricalIy odd. _ ~.m 10. ~ ""•. When .... - . . . . - ..
_ -.u iMmI, ........... _ ...... ~ c o o t ...
-..-... .... (,.... _ _..... _~-.g ....
~ 1n1O<m..1on. In"""", _ , _ • _ selscIs III'Y
on< item, ..... """ item io ~ 0<.0" by """""U!Ir """'9ioo ....

...f9r lilt lijIilO ifill S!lj<inWJ! rl9mlll illn ,
For .~, _ so_ 1Ie._ _ .ms fItIm Ole elecI«InIe
_ror
_
""'o1Og. _ "
"""". Tho!
_'M....
ir<licol.,. "'.. " ...._
_ ..._ .._Web_"""QI)o11_
_--"'_~
Wtb P"9' mil III <nfY!ool_ i!I<!mI@lon_",,"

.
io <:ompleIe. The
!I!lM:!o<l by .... !!<I!liha!<or """" 9'''''''' onot!Ier """".
185] Given!hat the prelilled r.Iormalion diSCUlsed 00 page 3 is the same po.n::hasar-
"l"'Cific account inIormalion thlll was lrBnllllitled '0 the ......... for """'her order
earl.... in the _ion, mi, inlomlalion OJ.ISI merelore be tracked by the IleMlf,
Y~I define. a sessioo-based shopping Il>::Idel a. one in _ ·no~
about the customer i5 kept on the system ""J'O'Id the <1uraIioI1 01 his Of her W;it
to the sileO and thai there" 00 registration or logon in a sessiofl.Oased Il/1Opping
model. Ttwelore, the Board condude.lhatlh.. pu-cha....~Jl"Cifoc account
inlormation would be 1racl<ed ... the same marne< as _ slate inlonnation
186] Page 3 .. silen1 as to what rnect>anOsm(.) woold be used to lrad< the SIale of this
pu-chaser-spec;roc ao::ounI inlomlalion. However, sioce Ne1scape (Y~I, pages
124-125) se1 OUIlhat. cookie can be used". °clilKll_si<!e 'swe', or
recognition de.-ice-, ... the Board's opinion, !here il no in 1rackingirMln1i_.
the Slate 01 purchaller-specilic accou'lt inI<)Imation,
197] The Board concludes _ the particular use of a cooI<."'to retrieve~
~ acco<.rI1 l'lIormaliQn thai was p<eY0Cius1y $IOI"9d 81 the server, is

something that would have been obYOCius to the sl<illed per"",,_ However, this is
only one aspect of the claomed inventioo, and diflarent aspects cannot De
assessed in isolation.
Sjoglt=Ae!ioo Orqerjng 10flt:C!;'* ordtrjogl
199] The Examiner ciled Ya~l, page 326, and more specifICally 1ha ~ragraph enlitled
"InSlan! Buy OpliQn" TIl.. page is r.::k.dad in Appendi. F, 'The Nal:scapa
Matdlant System" [pages 321 to 3371_ Ths Nelscape S~",em is ~Osed of a
~ of COI'f1l'.';ar programs...tlOCh ~10WlI a sell..- to set up on-line shoppiog and
to k9119 Irack of salas and inv9nlcoy
IW] Al the ~ , trw Applicant ~z«I that the paragrap/l 00 page 326 of
Y~I eli_es ooly the ctIeckouI r"";ew (i.... the """l'!>ing baske1 re,,_
slagel. W does not"'-'\lQ'8S1 siogle-aeban or<laring
190] The siogle P8f/9ap/l an page 326 to _ t h e ExarrMner refers reads as

tollows:
IMtont Buy OptIon

loIof<:IIarls obo can """,Ide _ _ loll> on _ ~ ....,., lor
_ _ lOr WSI:OmO," """ - . " ,

10 ~ "'"'lI _..--.g-..-.;on
_lht"""""
-... or .. - . ..... olJlil"Q Ibem to skip ~.-. This provides
;0;..., lhtl' wont
191] The Board has ..""",ned pages 328, 331 and 334 to locate addibonal
normat.... about ltlis Instan1 Buy Opt , thal i. used in "The r-+at:scapa
Matdlant Sy$lem" Some axcerpls ind\.o:l9d below lerrv>asis addedI:
T_ _r
The Trar»o<:Iion _ provides. fill ..... of

ion _lor'......
~, in<tudinQ _ _ ,",",imO . . - eonl ~ . _ ,
ruri'-'-, o.tomoIOCI _ _ .,.......,., _ _ of

~
~_ ...... ""~--~
C.... _ilablo O<do< Fonn
The_po _ Syolem _ •• higMy IIe><ilJle """" form
l r . . _ .... _ .... - . , __ lnOOinQ _ _
~ _ _ T!liII9OD nb!tS moW!!!' 19 c..,M,
<;riI!e" Il!lIoo I!IkJ<JnI and aN!! CfIllInlrona!!on..... p<no<>olzooJl\Jin\l fl'*l;Olpl_ 01
' .. __llOo. _ _ lO_ pu«t>o..... _ ....
_ qIKloIy. Tho T_1on _ octo ~ lot
. . . - inIofmOlIon. "",,~ merd>onlSlO peI1o<m onoIy>es ....
_ '""I'dY l:'I' """ginQ'_ mi><"'~,
Fig..... F5· "P""';ding Pllyn>enl and shiWng inkwmalion" on page 331 "lhe
C"",omizable O<der Form. h depicts nn order form which ennbles ........mDnl. '0
Cllp1..... billing, shipping lIOd CftId~ ean:l informalion fO< 0fdD<S. The page
inck.deo a ·Contin.JD Ched<ou1" buIlon at lhD botlom "'!he page, which
""11II""'" !hat a Iu1hDr reYlDw must DCCU". WllilD lhDfn i. nn indK:alion 1haI the
posehaser1o infOOl'lation is SfO<ed, 00 fu1her nl<jllanation or suggestion i. givDll
abooI ""ng sald irl!Df'll"lDlion along wrth 1he InSlam Buy 0p1i0n.
192] Our rev;nw of "The Natscape Men::hDnt SystDm" S<JilODSlS 1haI atIDr capluring
billing and shil'l>ing infOfIIIII1ion !here i• ..., _ .......1S1ep for con1iroing
ctlDekout, The InstlW'rt Buy button may pDin!1he skiliDd pD<Son in lhD diredion '"
finding waj'$ to speed up the onli.... ordering ptOC$SS, bu1 i1 doesn', SuggeSl
performing a .nglD action to inslant'l' place an orde<.
r93] The BoDrd condude5 1haI Y~I does not disdose performing a "ogle act"", to
inslant'l' orde< ..., item, as set out in claim. 1 to 75.
Other benefits and advanlages
194] There i. 00 S<JilODS'ion in lhD prior art to modif)'e ouI»o'ipiion-based snowng

model such 1haI wiltl one-cIK:k, an KlDntmer (cool<iD) i. oerlt in corlunct"'" wi1h
the proo:).JCI ordering infomlation. thus retrie..-ing pur-cI:"oMer-apecilic accou'lt
informat""', 50 IhII1lhD order i. instant'l' p1D01ld
195] The advan\llODS of such a ...--nlinDd orderinI:l proces.s poOnI&d to b)' lhD
Thm" noI10 Ia)I
A!>l>llcDm"", indocm;.... of some inge..... ~y (or invent;"" s,epl.
that being ablelO instlW'rtly order an item in e O<bSeIiptOon-based Ily$Inm wittloul
logoging in and !he $/feamlining of orderng steps which ecI'Oe..-es a reduclion in
COfI"4l'J!er proces.ing. ltfD lechnological in ""'urn. Th. faclOr will be mater",1 to
the analysis'" _uIOfy I<.tJject matter,
196] 0nD aspect oflhD invention appear. to be 1he idea to speed up the ordering
process. The motivation behind this idee ....-.:IoubIedty in....,."", an apprecielion
of consume, ps)'Ctlolooy, lIOd oonsu:ner marke1ing ....ategies, 10 entice a
CUS10mef to biJy b)' esSUling instlW'rt 17atifocation '" ~ip 1I'lr<::Io..9'l a
"single-aetion". h is arguable !hat once single-aetion ordering was conca<V9d in
the conte>d cI online shopping. 1he use cI readi'V avai~le cooI<.. technology 10
gi.... ~ praclical shape was s<~. to ~leman1. ~. a. was stated in
Clmadian Gypwm Co v. Gypsum, ume oS AIabastine, Canada Ul;I., (1931) Ell
C,R. 100:
[TJIO i n _ inQOnuiIy - " " - " .1Ilid _ ""', t>o IWld

in ... "''''"'!I'''\I _ . 0< in "'IJ'_ _... '" '... ;cIt.O in_,
~may ..".,.., mOl 'M ...... """",ption Is. """"""'" ono _
...,. ouweste<I. iI> opJJli<:D>n Is....., ~ ,
(97) Would it I"ollW t>een CJtr.oiou. 10 me skilled t&ChniQan, in ,.;....... cI yetil. to modify a
Slb5cfiplion-based shopping modal such Ihal an order <:an be inSlantly placed
withoul k>l,Jging in? "The ~ Mer<:han1 System" in Y~il points the wiled
ponon in 1he gene,..1 d~lIdion cI eliminating ched<oul 'a...... by us<ng an
Instam BU)' bulIon. The Iloard found Iha1 M ingenuity would hIM! been
required 00 1he claim date 10 ,etr...... purdlaser-$p8Cffic aco:ul1 irlIormaIion
entered by e user in e past _ion. based 00 the recognition cI thai u...... client
i<lentifi",. Howe."" thai is not ...·."4"0 find Ihal. in this insIance. me skilled
ponon gi........ the general proolem of streamlining 1he tradhional on3el'ing
process, would hIM! been led to t" an InSlant BU)' buIloo in !he NelscaJll!
SySlem with cookie (identifi",) te<:hnology. to inSlanUy place an or<ler
(98) A1; noted earb.... !he instam "l'l'hcalioo focuses 00 simplifying the process
tGllowed to COI'I1llele a retailing transaction, ~ a CIJSlOOler has decKled to t>uy
an item The g.......a1 proolem ad'h.sed by the cited passages in yetil is
,elated 10 mar1<eIing proWels to consumers by 1racking irlIormaIion abwt them.
e....n though yetil is rel..an1to me claimed in.....--.tion. ~ i. not main'V (;(J('OC$mad
with 1ransaclion process proolems and such soIuIion•. Thal is, there i. not
""'"-'Ilh informaIion pro.ided in y~il to address !he distinguishing aspect c1!he
single action ordering process in the instant application
Findings: Seclton 28.3
(99) The Board find. Iha! the skilled tectlr'lidan would not ha.a ~ lead d~IId'V and
withouI diffocully to (;(J('OC$.... cI what has been d,,;med in claims 1 to 75.
i 100) S<bseQuent to !he Hearing. !he S<-p"..-ne eoun cI Canada 'endered ~. decis<oo
in Sanoti (""",ai, in _ ! h e Court sel 0Ul the approach to be followed in
asse"'ng ob'liousn&SS. a. follows:
O<.CIiM<Il>y~L,J. in ~h'.,""''''h>., r_ _ (GrHtBritOO'tl
W, ['lIII5) RP.C, 511 (C
_ ioqLWy _
), T1Ii>.PIlJO'!d' """'-"Ilffig _
<Jlijoai.ily _
tl<vCl"'"
dorJ:y to .... ono/y5jo. r".,
,.'
~
M
~ -.u, ~_l>y'-L,J.in _ sPiI., IIDNOSA, [2OO1)F.S.R,
31, [2OO1)Ewc.o.CiY r.M, ....... n-
'" .......... , _ !D!!l!,.. ""-......qo--.o_
(1) I') _Ity ,......_ "flO'""" _ "' .......,
(b) _Ity ,,,., _ .... <:ommon 11"..... kn<Mblge '" _ p."o,,,
12) "'"'lIifJ ... _ _ """""" "' ... _ in _ .. d Ill..........
,._t>t_,"""""" C,
(3)
(0)
_..... _. """"
~""".W
~ port
11"_ _ ......
..y,d-'oces • .<l>I._"'''-cilod ..
01 .......... 01
u"... -'oces <:<JI\SIRO.o ...""

,
"""'""lIO"',.. 0I0Q0d
"'" i n _ """"".. 01 ....
. - .. _.<10
_ _ to ....
""""" _ _ in ,,,., ... '" do Ihoy require . ., <Iogfoe oI_ion?
[E...,....... _ )
1101 lin ordet to ~ ourcondvsion, 8<"l_Iy3<. us'",,!he ~zo.
approach to obvlousness set DIll in the S<4><eme COl.<1 decision .. set DIll below
S<bslanlie1ion /of the Board. 'Iiew- Ol: the inventive concept, common general
knowledQe, and "'"'" .. taugh> II)' !he ciled prior an <:an be f<UId in !he
obvlousness analy3<s. _
Tha skillad person i. skilled in the roelds Ol: online retailng model. or
le<:tn"""•. e--conmeroo. Web d<Mlk>pmenl, marl<1IIi"ll, and consuner
psydlology.
(f)(b) ldenllfy the .../fwanl common gerMnl knowledfI- of thaI parson
Tha skillad person underollinds !he concept Ol: and !he general
le<:l"nolo\J\l re~ed 10 online shopping and traditional online checI<oIII
mooels /of shopping, Tha skilled pllfSOI'l ~ the tacllnOlogy 01
cookies and the ................ 01 "!'Plyng Ih.. technology ""er the I"'''''''''
Tha skilled person is aware 01 ""'10'''' , retailng practices. such ". the
ability 10 otis< ordet cancellation, and retu"di"ll . - acoount irrlonna1ion
/of 1"'0" or petsonalized retail Iransaebono.
(2) ldenllfy tha in"""l1". "Oneapl of tha "la/m In q_lion or If /hal

cannol rudity be done, conSlnHI It
One aspect of the inventive concepI which i. common to all daim. i.
W&amlining the tradrtional online oodao jnO """hod by ".ngle-3dion
ordering". _ a a . pra~"y, particul... SIe!'" includng a
ched<0UI
d'led<OUI page were provided. the daimed invention prov;de$ a dienl wttIl
the option 01 "$ngle-3dion ordering" ff)< tarot ct>eckOUI The widely
....
accepIed sIloppng rula f)< pracli<:e of "checl<irq-oul" by providing a

d'led<OUI ,avia¥; page i. elimirlaled. The inventive COf'lCllp1 afso ircl..o:»s
a use of known cookie ledY1ology 10 relrie.a stored purctIaser-specific
accoo..nt inlOOlIlation from the -""', and insIantl\l place an onlar
(3) ldenlffy wlYl, It ."y, dlttara"cas axlsl bot_" Ih. mall., cited as
forming part of Ih. ".~fa of fha .rt" ami fhe i"venfNa COIlCept of Ihe
ct.;", or lINt ct.;", .. co".trued
With ,aspect 10 ".ngle-3dion ordating". the 'Inslant Buy 8<.';IOn' used in

"The Netscepe MerdIan1 $~stem" on page 326 01 Ya~1 aliminales
d'led<OUI ,a";_ WI does not aliminata <:hed<.oul. Ttus. _ e a . the
prior eot PfO'o"des a d'led<OUI page, the claimed ."'ention gives a dieo'lt
!he option 10 instantly order a" item by "$ngle-8clion ordering".
With respect 10 the use 01 known cook"l9ChnoIogy ... the in""ll'\l"e

concept. a. discussed aartier. the Board f<lUnd thai the manna, of
applying dienl identifiers in the instant application was COIWentional 0.-
well known on the d",m daI&. What is diffarent is IheI pu'Cha.....~JI"tif'"
accoo..nt i"'OOlIlation is sto.-ed and accessed uslng an i<lentifier. just like
other state information. ThaI is, the use 01 known cookie led'nology in
!he in.em.... "",""",pi (identified above) diller. from !he SUlla 01 the ..,
wttIl resped to the type of information the identifier retrie....
(4) VWwa<I withouf ."y kno~ of lINt .'/egad invenlion aa ct.'mad,

do IhOMl dltfarafICas co"slfWhI slapS which would h.... _II
obvious 10 lINt person sJrillerl I" lhe .rt or do lhey require ."y degree
of ht..,.,.I/0"?
With ,espect to retrieving purcIla_·specifoc account informatioo, as

disevsaed earlier. the Board found that lhere was no inventi_s in
changing the type 01 inlomlalioo thai !he identifle' 'a1fieve•. Therefore,
there is nothing imentive abOut the paoticula, use of the cook.. 0.-
idenIif"", as daimed. _ . ! h e Board found that !he "sngla action
onltHing' aspect of the inventive concept would not have been ob.-ious
because !he benefit. and advantages ar9 indk:al"e of $01\'19 ingoar'o.Jit~.
"
1102 JUsing the f<>Jr step ~ m I iapproach in Sandi, the conclusion is the
_ as !hal reac::hed in our findings llbove• ...tl0Ch i. ItIal dlIims 1 to 75 ...a no!
ot>v......
r 103] Each of cl8ims 1 to 75 is also limded t»I all"""l one clthe foIk>Mno _urns,
"""'" • ","' log in lor changing U$$f acoount inlonnalion:

• aulomabc <:<>rminalion 01 <roIliple orden imo a "'noIe order: and
• displaying 80 indicalion that ..... order can be CllOI::$lled within a lime
interval.
I 104] [lg;ng with me fint of me three aod~ionallealu"es,namely, ctl80ging or

l¢aling account inIormaIion b)lloQging in, we find IIW, in V""" 01 the login
Slbscription rno<lel in Y"fil, Ihs would be obvious on d. face.
r 1051 $inoIl we found !he c18ims 10 be unoll';ious wiIhouI analyzing Ih&se Slbsidiary
tNtufl. d i. ~saary to aUe" _ the prOof ar1 teacto&$ in ,espec! of
these 1e8lu'e.. ~. a matenal issue would have _OM" had our Ilbove
findings on obviousness been different, and ..... make the foIlo'Wirlg comments
wittl a view to providing guidance ShOuld such a situa1ion lIfise in tile ful......,
1106 JConsKlefing next the 5'.bsequem two f"""-,",,s, ..... nola lhal each 01 them
~se. a dif\enlnl ptoblem than the problem !hal i. 0010'0 , to all of the
c18ims of h<>\flt 10 pIBOIl an order. In cl80ms 33 and 50, providing !he purct\Bser!he
option to ~I the O«le< wittlin a time interval aoore_ the problem 01
CUStorl"leo" salislaetion aftar plaoemem 01 the order. and ... claims 19 and 51, the
. .lily 10 combine mJltiple ...d"... into a single order addresses the problem 01
adl""'ing efl1eieocie. in ShippOng ordered dems to th& same _ass.
1107 JThis type 01 .. tuation was _a.sed by the House 01 Lords in Saba' [supra} at
paragaphs 22·26, ...nate lord Holfmann s.aid [~is addad):
2', 'n my _
...._
.... _ _ "' .... Couo1 '"
pMdpIos ""'" 10 ErQlanO ... 10
_;0
"""'"'1'10_
Europoan P..... Ol!i<o.
u .. _10 Ihe qu<UIioo from LorO Tomlin _ EPO ~ 10
_, __,,,,,,,,,,,"ll!II """ lrtrOl'X'!?'rIiOn illllt
""" OlIO"'!f..!!IiIlrt '" or,....... M""" or 01!£!!0!i0rl1O I!l! 1pSl19r
ll!>!lwonest _ 1 0 - . . S "' ... Act B.. boIote YW ctn "lIfIly
_ 3 _ ..k 1hlIin"""ionlo........,. you
ljfSl 111.. 10 dtri'" ""'" 1M ilv!n!iOn is 10 ,*,i9'M you tIty'l9 dtri'"
......I!!r you n dtfio!Q w!!!l m,rtiOrlor"" or""" iW'rti0!9 TWO
""""'Ions dO no! """"'"'" l!ocMM t!>oy n .......... In It>o
_"IJ._.""'''IJ. . •
Mrot !IIntllIr!." eompfI<t """'" 011<"""""-
0WIf0II goo! 01
''''OO _ _ lIU ..
~ 011<. n.. _
~
"*',.. ~.IO
_....
"'" rotko .... 011<. >IngIo
_ion.
2\1. ThoEPO~ _ . ."'"" ........ -.no.. ""
«JfISidofod os • _ _. !lui oquoI) no! l!Y !ll conoI<!tr H I
!ItIo!o!lt>l! Ire "' tag ..... _ . ~ _ G--..sdo is
to ......... . . - . - . _ "'" _ _ r.oo- _ ""1IinQ _ •
... _ ""'OgI"_ICl •• ,.....
10 '\'DIIlIO - . Ihom, "",.. iluI•• olIVo .._ ""~ •

.....'000<1 etIe<:I _ one oppIies _ '0
3 U.. _ 01 cornbinirQ """"
It "po<fOmlS itS - . _ t....aiOn _>tl1 01 .... or
... ,""0_....... _ O O _ 3 ""... _ion
.... _... .,"" "lIfIh<I.,_ono--'o. TllII m,"""". ill
!It>I! ~ J meonI by U...... 01 _'"ion
1'08ITakingguidanca from SIbIf, weconsidar!he approachlhat should be llkon in

considering leal<6es 01 c1eims that appear 10 address different and soJlll"'te
problems is to set au the vwiDus IuU," rela1ing '0 me respective problems
soWed, .erify lhatlhete are IClUllIIy 1'M:;I '" more ..parole inventions by
checking 10 _ _ the h,aues thai """'0
one problem Il..nctioo
io rOepeo rOeo ~Iy DIme leaUes thlt solve thO _ problem(S), and as_ !he set
01 feOlU'eS that represem each dil'lerenl irMltl1i<>n """"ro!ely for .......1Iy and
l>t:Nlousness, according 10 me usual evi<lenoe (pr"" a1, Wi"'''', general
knowledge, the appliclti"" ilself) and a'oumerus.
I 109lln the presenl case, it was Ill>! argued that thOrO were different invent......, nor
was an, p-ior 8iI cit9d with respec! '0 the adi:litional faatu"OS. Ho::nve_, as
mentioned above. me outcome in this particular instanca would not ha.o
ct\lIoged, since me Boord has ~relI<!I' corcl..o»:l tha1me c1eims would Ill>! he.e
been obvi<>lJ. e.en .... thoul cons<dorinQ Ihese Slbskha,y leal<6es.
STATUTORY SUBJECT MATTER: SECTION 2
1110 lin this oed..... me e>:prosskns "palonlablo subjed matt..... and ".!aMory Slilject
malIOr' are used interehengeebly.
I 111 lin the Final Action, me E.aminerrej9c!ad ~I 01 !he claims and the whole
applicali<>n In:Ier $e<:1ion 2 01 the Paten! Act. staling in part:
_'" ill ro.- ............ - . . <:<I<'O<bIIod"' of ........
" .. prior'" _ is '"" ..--y tou;to .. _ '" Vefil ooo Journal ..
Do$i(jn _to of _ _ 'OCIwOOlOQ" _"''''''','1\1 _
_ _ of om _ . """"II _ " ' pu«N" ...
110m wIIh. ~ ill «IfISi<lo<fId 10 110 ~ .... """"'"'"
"""""'" .. 110....... rnodoI ..... red to _ using e.<isIir'II die<OlseIver
......... ThO Sin\110 '*'* is Simply''''''''' _. "'""""" SySlOm, ~ is
"'" • ......, - - ~ .. -"SO"Ig "'""""" oomputo< - ''''''''''

lOdrdogy. ,.,. ................... moII.. ofll\isoppkollon . . . _ I s "'"
_ _ '"""" _ 2 of."" _ _ Att.
S'IO lSdeoaibo methods for """"""'II items using •

CIoims '10 ~ _
_SySlOm, _ o f _ _ .... metrood of~"
"'_ _ .............. _rood .. m......O(fufIo>g .. - . . . . . _
........... n- _ dO "'" dnCriIIo moIhorlI .... JIfOdl.'C*" ~
eooromic resul ~ " ' _ ,••. - . """''''''''. or~, ~ .... me~
10 '" 'M C«.o:1f. ThO 0IfiC0....-. _ 1 0
JIfOdl.'C*" _ _ 0<>00""."" ....... '" _"' ....... """"",rw . .
"""'Y, Me. ",,"",~ moIhod Is • moIhod 0I_1on 01 ... _hi•
. - or"""" Oh.. _ ....... r.cIores .. """""""' ••• ndible
.........., _ o f .... _ _ "' _ _ _ ..
_ ..... (IIIO, .'" "" _.ry ' - ' _ .... .". C<>uno ••
".1...1<>000 oklIls') of _ """rood. eonolilul _
__Ion 2. The joel'~ uoed to
.,""",.~ 'M Mm """"'"'" -.... ( _ "'5 ,. 50) - . not """"IJO ....

....... of ... _ _.,.,. '" 'M C<:o.o1. 'M 'oel .
........................ ... ....., _ _"' nor 0UIJIr0Cl rrom ....
_ _, of.~. A _ _ doe> ... po>duoe >Oi.ry
0<>00'0""" "' .._ ,. ,_, ...,_110 m ....
'" "'" '" 'QOm_'. _ _ moII.. of,.......'" 7~
Is _ . . . . . _ _.... 1s ..... """"""'MCIioo 201'110_
~.
r 112] The AppIioanI "'Bled 1M! lhe cl8ims penained 10 stalUlory SlJljecI maner, Staling
in part
Wllh raopo<t",'" ..,."..".,. ot;o<Ijo<I, ~
_, " _~ ~ 'M
..... of prior" _ ..... Weooti' ,""",", .. """"", '" VqlI
... "'" Journal 01 Design saenoe .. '''''OIl of -.... ~ .• Thio
~ ,. 110. _ I o n <>f'M E><..-. _ _ ,,;oa;ons_.
• - .................. _ . . . _ o f V...
The ~ .. ~~,.=-""'..-"""""_
<>f'M _ COurt of COOIIo3O _ 0dIl_ thiS iSOut, ~"'"
CoIo9t •. e.._~<>fP_, <2ImlS.C.C. 1$ 1 _ "
_ .. H............... ).~~ ... _ , .... COurI _ _ ..
8 i;
! ~ - -. I
d I , I ••
i.'>P"11
'il l I I Hi,l lihll!! hiHl!! i,-,I
Ji P
~ ~11.!":
I' •d!
I. i ,
!!i'~lf! lllli~li
'
l'jiPj! ' 1i~ l:: §a • 2
'j'''I'p Ifill • 1 - 1!
i'l"'
I" ,
•t I ,
I"!l-l·l iIi'! !!I .£1 ii"l ~§
!I I"
. ! E{ I
il!l'I~ili ji!l! I HI'
· ;'l~ Idl 1'1 11 'II!!! 'i ~'!!I"ll!!~
I 'l5
I ! ! !j I i
, 'j: i
iq
i I
n'.!i ,I l~l:l" li~!!;l!i li'lllli l' ! j -

i~ 11.t'1~1 n II I 'I. ;
"H- L;!lll
nlilil!! II-'j! lli'ljll I 11,,·j; 11,",' HI I
jI'l il't
'Ii '
,-l
j.,-n-l· jn
ItllllHi • 1
HJdiHI ini.! nHHlii !!lllll!
j
'
'I';
t ~
.II!
,5 l5: g 'J.,
i
OWh.....- to ... E>amroor's _ .... ,he moIho<lo d _ ~ IhiI
....-,;".. . - to"profesoionaI skiIs", ~ ~ ~ _ ... 1haI ....
_"'"~_,_OI _ _ ... --....OI
p t O I _ .... " ' ~ _''''',he_to_.
Clarifications at 1M Hearing
NatlXe 0Il!!e rejechQO
[113]The ,esponse 10 l!!e Final Action suggests somea>nfusion as 1O_l!!e

Examiner's otljed;ion pertains '0 obviouanell$ or _utory S<.tJjed; matter, In ttle
1_ dated JUy 30", 2006 ttle Board darif>\ld l!!e objecIiQO ...-.:Ie, section 2 01
the Patent Ad _ing,
The _ is OIthe.."," rejoaion . . - _ 2 .. . - on

_ ... -.0001 _....,..-,0.-_1>0. __ 10
.......... ~ (" ~ ""'..1>0.__ """'"'IJ 10 _
1O<:Irdogy) ""'" IlO<:otMO • _ '"" r•• ..., una 01 ...
<:aIOgOrieo 01 ~_. This m.-_ be ~ I»'!he ....",.,..
--
.... -.., .. ~ l/IOUI'<l'JOm ,he tfll. ""....-.,..-
[ 114] Althe Iieating, the AppIicanl reileraled l!!e oonlenlion Ihal the test for statuu"y
S<.tJjed; matIef used bv the Examiner in trw Final Action was improper, The
AjlpI0C8n1 pointed to e.cerpts ... l!!e Final Aclion such as "new IelIming or
l<Ilowledge" and "undoar'l'ing technical fealUre. 01 the systam """a... l!!e """"'",
to 8fO.Ill tha1the otljed;ion undoar section 2 01 trw Pille", Actwas 80 assessment
_to
01 irwenIiveness. The Board darified that l!!e determination of _
human l<Ilowledge fim requires an assessment 01 wIlat i. known,
before checking to "" whelher the daWned "'~ion rll$ under one oIlhe
has been
palentable categories.
[ 115] The Board 'ecognizes tha1 e>p'en,QOs such as "new Ieaming or knowfadga"
s,'"' from Shelf Oil v. Commi5Sioner 01 Patents (1ge21. 67 C.P.R. (2<1) 1 at P"II'
11 (S,C.C) [Sileoi' 0iI), The Board is 01 the ~ tha1the Sileoi' Oil decision
_essed!he"sue of Slalutory S<bjIIcI maner, and Ihal e><pres"""s l"''''''''ing
to "learning" and "l<Ilowledge" _re used in that oonlaxl
[ 116] The Examiner's _ements, '" whidll!!e AppIicanl refers, are "'l""'led below
[emphasis added];
ThO ..,_.......--.or.. ~~to ... _OI .....

"' _ . . ' ... is '"" _ '-'\l1'lI or''''''''' II)' Yopo"""",
-.... or 06S9> SCiOnCO 10 t!IO OIl Of -..01 _ ........,. I!II.
l(!Il!!MlI'!dIr!CfI1t!hm "'!II! M!!m "!!!!in It!! Hmo, ~ t!IO
<IlOion"' """"'..... ...., _ • ~ II " " ' _ to ... L!!!!!J.
<ihnie .. !he oojorino ""'"""" or"Mrn
USOng o:o;,oog _
mo<!o!"'_"'_
s,sMms, ThO ~It <liCI; is SimPI._'"
_.OOOM'>OO .....m•• is""" ..... m _ .... '4<10<>0 U$ing
OOOM'>OO~_'''."",~,
When the Examine< speaks of 'new leaming 0< knowledge contributed to th&
S!ale 01 !he arlo, ~ woukI appear to be in respec1 of !he SI8Ia 01 the tachnical arts,
such as !he "a1 of Internet te<:tnologv". In the Ex8minef'1 op;nion, "the
....-.oarlying t~ 19aIures 01 th& systam remain !he same", The Boan:l
lrI<lerstandl !he E.oaminer's S1B1ementl to mean !hal what is "new-" Me does
not re~e 10 the 1!!C1I!icailearning 0< knowledge in the... arts
r 117] Reoarding !he Appli""n!"1 llalement that !he obje<:1ion """"""" to an

ltSsessmanl 01 ot:>v~ .., the Boao-d dila\J'WS s~ the Ex8mine< does not
al1eoa!hal the "mata changa in !he ordaring scheme 0< """nesl 1TIOdoal" is
I<no'Wn 0< ot:>vioul. We lake ~ 1haI the ex...- is reflecIing on the conmon
goaoaral knowledga aod evidolnce demonstra1ing th& stBIa of 1nteme11ed'r'o::>logy
before the c1eim <!alB, The Board considers !hal thil .. " necessary """"';se
when extracting what has been added to human knowledge by the claimed
invenJion.
r 118] The Board .. SBIisfoed thBI th& objedion perlains to...nether th& claimed
invenJion .. directed to 11BIutory lubjecl matter
r 119] Al the Hoearing the Appl""'nt again discussed HaNan! College v. Canada
(Commis$il:l<>er of Patents), 2002 sec 76. (2002]4 SCR 45, par""aphl 120.
150, 153 !HatVarrJj 10 lupport his contention thBI!he """"Pled approach fo<
ltSse"'ng stBIutory lubjed matter would ~ starting wiItl!he fMl CBIagorie$
01 staMory S<.t;ect matlar; delBmlining the soopa 01 those cmeoor"l in !he
conIe'" 01 !he Patenf Ad; discerning !he intention 01 f'a1iament wrth resped to
this scope, and men dBIermining ...nather the lubjBd matter 01 the inverl1ion fits
wiItlin one of !hoM cal9gO<iel. The Boan:l clarified !hat th.. is parl 01 the
asselsment, buI added thBI determl"ting...nm !he c1eimed invenJion Os (!he
S<bstanee 01 !he claimed in.enbon al "l'f'05ed to only !he form 01 the c1eim)
would be necesllary in order to begOn Il.ICIl an asselsment,
r 120 ] The Applicant staled !hal once a claim i. in the form 01 " method cla<m, it <lefi",,"
the ifwerl1ed lubjed matter, and the aswssment Sl>:luld proceed to determine
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1DroactJ to assessing JUbjecl mattews.
Consider both ItJe form and I"" subsfance 0I1tJe dBims

AA assesS<OB01 of patanlBblB sut;eeI mattar involvas a coosiOeratOoo of
both the form and sub5lBnOll <l the cl,,;rTIS
form oflbt claims

By '1orm" Os mean! what the language <l a claim, on its 'ace.
appean to b8 defining as the invtlO1000.
SW$\a1C9 of the Q",!!'4 (What has bee!! di5Wi«ed?1

The 8ppro8CIll0 aSSass thB ~aJlC8 Os to tully ~ the
",,",re 01 the c1aimB<l invanlOoo. and <leIa""inB _ has been
_ to human I<no'wlBdgtl ("What has been discoverBd"] by the
c1aWna<:! invention.
SubjBct mallar must fit ItJe definition oIa C8/8gO<y

The ;,.::10.1 intarprelation 01 aach <l the ta""s aot. pt0C8SS. machine,
manufadure and COfr"4l'OIition of matte< ........1 be consKla....d to assass
...nathar thBllUbjaCI mattar of the claims fils under one of thesa
categories.
Cbaoot 01 character or CCiOduion

Of partioullV signirOCBJlC8 in the ptesenl applicBlion Os the definition
of an aot. Lawson v. ~oIPatants (1970). 62 C.P.A.
101 (h Ci.) luWSOtl]_ out !hal a patanlabla@i!mustcavsaa
chanl,Ja in <:haradar or condition 01 soma phYS""'1 object
EochJder:J (IIOII-statulr:>r)') subi«J mailer

CeMin ly~s 01 subjad matte< are Dcluded from pmantabilily For
a<8mpla, cornpu«lt pt(9"ams jf the (!is/XI.ary in\'Ol\'9l! is a malhod <l
calculalion. melhods 01 mad"",1 treatmBnl. highBr life forms. businBss
systems and malhods and professional skills and malhods, ha. . baan
a.ctudad by ;,.::Iici.1 inlarprelabon 01 Saetions 2 and 27(8) of the Patent
Ad (Monsanto Canada /oc. v. Schmeiser, 2004 SCC 34, (2004) 1 S,C.R
902, 81 paragrapfll33, dis--.:ing [Sch~}.
Non-lfJchnoirlgical subjed mailer is oot statulr:>r)'

Each 01 the fi.. categories 01 irrvarrtion inherently relata 10 subjacl matt@(
1haI is technological in natufa. K follows that subjed malt... that is not
teetnological is not $Iatul<)l'y subjIlocl mallet, and carno1lit under one rA
!he categories rA .......nIiM
I 125] To s""",",nze !he abooa, lor a claim to be patantable, !he form rA Ihe claom (Ihe
claim on its 1""") nusl ,alala 10 one rX Ihe f.... palantabla categories of ifMImion
(art, PfOOeIl$, madline, maoufacIUIlI Of COfIllOS~ion of malt...). AlISO, Ihe form rX
the cleim muSl be neilhef e><clo<led subjec1 mallet nO< non-technological 5Ubje<:I
mall.... S<milllf'l', 1he substance of 1he claimed in'ienlion, Of "What has been
aQdoed 10 human knowlllOgoe", mu$l r~ ...-.:leo' one of 1he fi.. patartable eatagorifl
rX irwention, and _ has been added 10 human knowledQe b)' the cleim nusl
not be directed tOWan:!S either el<Cluded S\.tJjecl !TIlllIef Of JlOfI-leChnological
.-.-
Form of ft>e daim (Ihe daim on its f_J
1126] K is weli eSlabhshed thai, to be "",enlabla, a claom on its lace, nusl define one
rA an art, process, machine, maoufactUlll Of COfIllOSiIion 01 maltar, As ~lainad
belQw, ~ Ihe form rA a claim 'alates 10 excluded subjacl mallet Of someIhing that
is non-technological in natUlll, ~ will fail due 10 the form 0I1he claim. FOf
e><lll'r1lle, a claim 10 a ~igher life form is e"ch.1Oed baSe<l on form.
1127] The COlJfIs """" demonSlrated that in order 10 assess _ something is

Statutory S\.tJjecl mailer unoer Canadian law, a determination as to _ has
been "in'ienled", Of "diSOO'tered", is required This doaIeominabon may be maoa
baSe<l on the allphcalion, the state rX !he art on the claim dala, and in oi_ 01
8IfT1 SWmissions b)' the applicant In LalWJO<J at pages 110."', even tI>::Iu!;tl
the cleims were directed to the Slbd",1Oed parcel rX land i1self, ","leh the
appellant a<:l<rIowIedged as an Lntanal>la pos;tion, as ~ was clear that the land
had not been changed, Cananaeh J. focussed his attention on 1he unoerty;""
melhod rX <lescIibing and I&)'ino OUI parcels 01 land in a plan 01 subdi";s"'" rX a
greatertractolland, In Tennessee Eastman Co. eI aI. v. ~of
Pa/$rlI$ (1972), 8 CP.R (2d) 202 at 206 (S.CC), e..... tI>::Iu!;tl!he c1aims_e
di'ecled 10 a method 01 SUfgicalbonding, the S<4x'eme COl.f1 dOd not feel bound
tly the form 0I1he c1aims...nan aswssing their suitatlOlity lor patant proteclion,
AI page 206, the COl.f1 <leIennined "the ....... nIiM eSsenlielly consiSlS in the
discooery that a known _iva substance is adaptabla 10 surgical use", and
adii'essed the <J.Il'stion 01 stalutory subjacl ma!\ef when "the on'l' element rA
nove~y is in ~s applicalion 10 surgical use .-.l1he diSCOY«}' '" limited to the
......x.v0Cius adaptability 10 such use" In S/>$II Oil a1 pages 10-11, the ingan.l~y
lrI<lerpirning a claim for a ~i1ion had 10 fitlrl<ler Iha calegory 01 art, lor
the claim 10 De patentable, The Ceut d;Stilied me essence 0I1he claimed
inven1ion, stab"", "The appellanr. diS/XIvary in this case has added 10 1he
CUT<JlaIive wisdom on 1he subjecl 01 these comp<lIKlds by a reo:>gni1ion oItheir
hitherto ~izlId properties . ... Finally, in SChIumbelfl<!r CIN>8Ida UtI. v,
Commi$$ionero/Parenls(I981), 56CP.R (2d) 204 at pages20&.206(FC.A),
WI approachirlg 1he quest.... 01 paten1ablll sWjed malIer. Pralle J. considerlld
""t>at was the allaQedly novel aspec! as ~~, saying I""",,"," added]:
"'0«10<10.,.,........ _ ... .".._

"'...-.ion, II II ll!l! nt<fSHIY to """"*"""" '93"""W! 10 lI10
0!!!!Ii!?!I"" !Iaolleen.....".......
......... _ ............._ o t ... v _ _ to ........

..,lI1o"""",_lonnulHlO"''- "' .... ~ ...... c _
1129 1The _oach taken by in looI<ing to 1he substance 01 a claimed

0IJf COI.>"tS
iI'w9n1ion, outlined above, is consislent with praclice in 1he United Kil"l(l(lom

Aerr:Ael L1d v Telco Ho/diIIgs L1d & Others. 120061 EWCA Ci'J 1371 IAeroIeJ) al
paragraph 40, sel. out a "1OIJf Slap approach" lor allSeni"" I"I'leItla< a claimed
inven1ion Os exck.ded 1<0'" patarr\llbliry. Jacob U discussad the MCOI'Id SI8P
"Klerl1ity the adual comribulion" in paragrapll43, asfolk>ws I""",,"is added]'
... _do,..._Ibe_?M' _ _ rhe'.....

_ _ _ lit on - a M in ~ po--,. i n ~ lM.,,-.-._
10... _OCI._'" "' .. _.""- W!lI!!lII
I'" """"""!HIy _ 10 ........ l""""'" _ bOl! ll<l!hl
~. IookirQ .. -.nee notk>rm _ _ "
...."._ "'lO\IiSIOOOf""•. - .
1 129 16eIore 1\'10""" on 10 1he next point, ~ wo:>oJd Iika 10 add a further comment A
claimed invenlion carno1be cons_ as stmlltor)' subjec1 mm.... if the femu-e
or l/IO'.4l oIlealures thai rTIllke ~ .-- and ....-.:t>viou. comprise axcluded subjad
mattar II also follows thai a claim whOCh rei," on a par1icular f9a1ure or goup 01
h'a1U'es to render it .-- and lKl<lbvioIJs cannot rely on a different fea1U'e or
~ of femures in on3er 10 QUlllify a. statutory S<tlject maller, For a><8lT1lla, WI
SChIumberper, the Federal Court 01 Appeal !o<rId Ihal what had been di.""...,red
IVaS Ihal by maki"" certain cak:ula1ions according to certain formJlae, useful
idormation could be extractad from <::er1aOn measurement•. ThA 1he ct"ms,
which_e assumed to be new and ir:wen1i...., were held to ~ise non-
palantalllalllJl:ljaet matter, which could not De lranslormad into patentablll
sWjed mattar merely by raty;"" on a ditfera'" leal....., namely a ~er, to
carTY out those calculations. This concept has been fUlther explaoned by Mr P
f'fescotl OC (sitting as a OeI:Uy JudIJa) in CFPH LLC [20051 EWHC 1589 (Pat),
at par""aphs 93 to 96 (CFPH]
r 1JO ] K is welt eo::epIed in Ceneda the! the judiOat inIerprelalion given to each 01 the
five eategor... 01 inYenIion IIUS1 be consKlafad t<lf a ....ssing patenlabiti!v, Of
releYance 10 the prasent case are the judiOlli in!arprelalions 01 8iI and pI'OOaSS
The'" must be II physical Objad IY II cI1l1/lf1fl in etoIIt8CIer IY conc1ition 0111 physical
"'''''
r 131 ] A coo",ooo , dlllracteriSlic of the five categories of invention is !hilt they are
physical in nlllU'e. Machines, manulllC1ures and composibons 01 maller are
inl>erenlly physical
r 132] As for the lerm "an·, !his was considered by the ~ Court 01 C""- in
~ Oil, 67 C.P.A. (2d) 1, Delivering thejudgment of the Court, Wilson J,
sWed, 81 p, 15
Tho ¢Od'I r'" r....- E""'*'!, _ , .......... ..,......... _ . -.. '"

..,-y _ _ ..", _ ...... "" _10.-- "",." '"
........... Of ...... f ~ ~ I J < l I _.. _IO.-- ....
1nnov0liYe ",,"hods '" SJllI/yirQ .... Of kJlowIe<IIIe po;>¥i<le J, in lswsm. In 11>0I ".." . _ _ being -.vi" on • . -
_"'~lIlO_ ' " .pkM:"'lond, ThoopplicllJon_
reje<ted. 0II0in .... """"""" "'" S<.t>jed·moIter"''''' oppliooIion ........ on·....
_lIlO ....";,,g '" lIlO _ in lIlO IJ<lI """'uso, liUlIlO .-- uso f«
'M""""" in r " ._ E _ 0(1 00 "'''' ,_ .
1O"--,_$If\'Of_tW In ooww"' ,_
c....nod> uid .. PII, ,011-,o:
.... OIl Of _ _ is on Of _ '" _!*IO<mfl<l1ly some

pfty$iOOl some . - 0lIj0<l ..... ptO(Iu<O"Ifj .........
""""
0I>j0<1 some ......... _ IIl ......... or Of '" <:<It"<ltion, 11s-...
in 11>0I. lis oopolJle '" <XIftemplOloo of".. minIl, • Is """"""" In
111.. I 00I\$iSlS in 'M oppIic--' '" pfty$iOOl _ ,. ~
_ -..... ..'M_in""'._...... _
ISfVbIo objOCl or ...............
In lIlO _ _• .....- " ' _ ...., ~ _r«I ,r.oo on

_00 ...... "" ....... , . . . . - ..,.. ..--. _ _ '"
_ " " ' ....."". _
_ , I)uO • •
_ " ' " _lM..-.noo _

""""".... lM _ " ' " _
. . . . - . _....,..
... lM _ " ' " II'y _

""'
_llIO
_
M_
to.
~. Tbio ......... <:on1<.<lion 01 .... Ide. 01 .... end _1~ 01

......., _ , • is _ _"" tt>Ol ~lM _ " ' " is lIIO . - . .
_ ... lIIO _,1M _ is ....._ to. "....... "" lIIO _0.
1133 JfDlIaMng the S<4><eme Cour1 of Canada, the Board finds that tho teon "art" is
"001 to be cooIined 10.- procenes Of pr<::dK::ts Of maouracturing lectriq.1e$";
al the same timo, ~ <rUSt be "en ac1 Of ser'" of acts performed by some ph~sical
ogent '-""" some physical objod and ~ng in such object some change
'l<the' 01 ch8'acter Of of cond~ion"
I 134 JA more recent judidal1realment 01 tho lann"8rt" is Iou'ld in Calgoo caroon

Corp, v, No<lh Bay(Cily), 2005 fCA'(10, 45 C.P,R (4th}241, In this coso,
RDlhSlein JA, wriling tho ,,,,,son, Ito' J,xlgrnont 01 the Ccu1, Dted wittl epproval
Wilson J:, Sl81ement in SIlerl' Oil thal tho WOOl "811" in the (;(J()1ext of tho
<lefinibon 01 in.ent"'" must be gi.en h generel cornotIIt"'" of "Ieaming" Of
"1<nowIo<lgo" lIS calO, ....y used in expressions such as "tho _e 01 the 811" Of
"tho prior 811"
I 135 J In the Boan:l's .law, the coodooing ptlraS8 of Wilton J', Slal80'''''. i. an
ifllXll1anl one, .. ~ make. dea' Ihal not all la¥ning Of """""edge necessarily
tails within the <lefinibon 01 e patentable an, W only Ieaming Of I<nowIo<lgo as
oommonIy usee! in e~prflSl;ioos such IS 'the stile of"", IfI' Of 'tile prior Iff',
And oonsOdeting these ""l"'essions as they ha.e traditionally been used in the
patent sense, i.e" in the (;(J()1ext of saence, ""IIo-inu and 1e<:tnok>1J\1, any
I.....ing Of knowledge, to be considered as railing wiII'in Ihe meaning of "811",
<rUS1 ,elale to saenlific Of teetnoIoglcal """""edge. Th. will be Iu1her
elatlOfated in our Ia1eo- discussion 01 the technOlogiClll requirement tor patentable
........ion.
I 136 J In CI/fIOn. Roths1e<n JA also ,eferred to Wilton J." holding in SIlerl' Oil Ihal a
patentable sri must malize a useful ,esult ttvough pi'ecIlcal application, and that
there nus1 be a ~ical embodiment 01 the . - learning Of """""edge (in tha1
case, Ihe ~ical embodWnBnl was the new CCIfIl>OS~ion)
I 137 J we cooduoe trom our .....iew of tho ;.Kisprudence discussing 811 thai an ad Of
~s 01 acts t!lal do not consli1u1e a praeticlll awlication 01 scienlific Of
technological knowledge do not fit the definibon of a paten1able ar( A pi'actlcal
application of knowledge necflSOrily ~I'" an act Of series of acts ,esulling in
a change 01 chamcle, Of condition 01 a ph~sical object
1139 Jfinally, a ~s is "milar to an art, as ~ in.DIves the applicalion 01 8 method to
8 mater".1 or mater"'''. ICommissioner of Pa/$tlI$ y, Cib8 Ud. (1959), 30 C.P.R
(11'\) 135 (S.C,C.) al Pal"/98J1h 15
1139 JThus, where the claimed r.verrtion, in form or ... I<bslance, is neiIhat a JIh'''cal
object (8 machi...., manulaclU'e or compo"t"", cI matter) nor an ad or _ies of
adS parlormed fly soma physical agent upon soma Jlhyslcal object to pn::dK::e in
that objec1 some ctI8nge cI eiIher ctlarecter or a>ndrt"", (an Of process), rt Os 1'10I
patentable
1140 JAs I'IOI&d earl..... certain types 01 SOJbjIlocl matte< are excl\.o:la(l from patenlability
in Canada. A claimed ir,.ent"", which in form Of in so.bI'Iance amounts to 8
1141 J In Schmeiser. Aibour J. (dissenting ... part)..............n&d the _e 01 excli.>:led

I<.-tijecl ~ in canada. staling:
'33 $uI:IjO<l m o<oIII'_"'SUI.... '''''''_

...-.Ion _ pIlonomona of ........, ... scionIifI< IJfW:ipln: So
21(S). 0Il1er ouIljood: ~ eJ<dOOed '" jodi<iaI ~ of.
2 - . . of ".._ .od ..... 21(S). Fo.- .......,... 1M
' - ' I I .... _ ... _:QI)o11l"1., _ _ .... ~ ........ OCI
... ",,"hod of_Ion ( ~ ( M Y. C_ r-
~ (1$$1). !l8 C.P.R, (2d) 2()4 (1',"" C-".), .rr.:t ('lIel), 11~ 1
F,C. $0$ (l'OCI, CAl; _ of _ 1 , .... . - (T••",," E..-.
co. Y. ~IC("', ',,'~. Of_/(lil2).II~'1 S.C,R. 111
(S.C.C,)); 1ligIlO,W.fOfmS ~~, -.);bo_.,......._
_ ..... proleMionol _ _ .... hods(s.- _ _ & T..... CO.
•. ~_",-tIc" 1-10 F,3(J 1368 (U.S. Fed.Cir, 1_);

ptWoo _ _ ~ only on _Ie Io, Q ' ' ' ' Of -.ry ...... (Ro
JoppIbtiM Of ao...-:, CIPO. ~ DecisIon No. 143, "'ord> 10.
'W3; ......... _ of_ ".PO.o.-"_(~--'
Of _ _.C'PO.C....' _ ..... e--.No, ZS4.""',

_ _"". R<o (lQ1lO). IIWll R,P,C. )1)5 (E<lq, _
onol_.... I_~No._ .. T_Ik-.gDHil».
fie (liN). 53 C.P.R, (2d) 211 (eM. PM, "pp. &d,)), These ~
lQT~; GMl
cn .. =);
""""""'.... Ir>M for _ _ 1M POl.'" 0IfiC0 10

"".rpt<oI _ of P A<J SO .. 10 - . . . . . - _ _ ""'"
~1iI1·
I 142 JNOIwithstanding tlla reference to Stale StI&8t Bank abova. the Board accepI. the
Slatemanl ... dissenl by tlla ~eme Court cI Canada Ihat bvsines. malhods are
excli.>:led I<.-tijecl matter
1143 )Traditionall\l, 00"'-' melhod. hlMl not been the Pf_ subjed matt... tOf a
patent in CllI'\llde This exckAion C8t1'ie.1IIroo.>gh from S<.t;ect me"er exclusions
in the United Kingdom.
(1901)19 RP.C, 53, _e See In tile Mailer of Cooper'. App/il;<JtioII for a Palent,
~wa ••lated:
Yo<> _1>0... POl.'" 10< ...... - . . . . or ""'" •• ""'" fOr t>ooooon.i(I

""';. ""'" fOr'" _ ~ ... sw.; • plOd fOr ... _ _
~"-
1144 ) Ailo1her oIIan cited au1hority on the na1l.I"e of ttl.. axclusion is the Digesl of
C9I!8d'a.. Pat$nt Law. Harold G Fox, 1957 {carswell} at p. 11 • ...-.:Ier the
- n g , "Unpatentable Malle('
A .olId _ _ ... graIUIlllp<l5il1oo. fOr ......

pl... "deoio;Jn, .. 10<. """"",,,- ouch . . . ""'" for bN:<An rim. for
,.._-.-..-..,........"" _Olf_"""""" ..
_ _ fOr<»-----' .... ''"''"'II.
for _ '" •
.....iallaf_y ......_ _ ...... pl Tbofocon,_,bono
.aIid pol'" f o r . . - .. ~ .. _ f o r l l o _
""*"""",",100 A_ """..,.,. po--oIO<:l ............ ."..,... .... nol •
---
_'''';0 "'...._ .. "''''''''''''"'Y
I 145) Finall\l, a recent decision of the U,S. Court of Appeal. fO< the Federal Circuit
(CAFe) in In refJi/ski. 66 USPQ 2d 1365 at pages 1400 10 1407 (2006) i.
notable. In thai case, Justice Dyke, who joined the majority opinion but wroIe
~, _ed [we parapflrase the following) thai in Ofder to construe the
larm "an" in lhe U.S. S1etula, ~ was """""-SlIry lO a>n.. <ler whelthe dmflers of
the eartv pata'" statute. unders1oo<llhe term lO mean. Historical """"d.
sI>oweo:IlheIlhe US. PawrI Act. 1793 was framed according lO the e<:>o.ne of
Pfaclice in !he English Patent Office at lhallime. Each of the ce!egories 01
invtIo1ion was drawn ei1her from the Stalute of Monopol;" and !he common law
refinement of ~s inlerpralation, or resolY9d COO'Ill'l!ing v>ewt being debated ...
Eng~ althe time. """nuIad""'", "mach""", and "cornpos;tion of mall.....
__ ...-.:IerstOOd to be 1ypeS of maro.Iaetufl patentable ...-.:Ier the English
stalUla. The term "art" was indu<leIl ... the _ute in order 10 adop1!he .. >ewt of
those ... England who tavoured maro.Iacturing process ~enl' (at 1he bme, the
Engl"h COU'!S hed not yet resolY9d..nether ouch processes w«9 pal(l(l1able
lrI<ler the S1etula). The English patent Pfaclice before and~""""""
wittlthe 1793 U,S, Palen! Adlhowe<! thai patentable sut;ecI matter was limited
by 1he 19m1 "manulacl""'" in the Stalute 01 Monopolies and req..~ed a relalion lO
the <lIher eategor... 01 patantable subjed matt.... Palenl. regist...ed in England
cuing ttl.. time __ limited lO artdes 01 maro.Iaclu'e. machines fO<
maro.Iacturing, cornpos;!ions 01 meller, ancI pmoes.... ror u..ng or crealing
man.Jacturas, machims. ood cornpos;lions of malt.... f'focesses ra~ng 10 trw
organiZation 01 human ac!i";!1 w«9 not within trw bo<.nds 01 patantable maltar.
I 146] Dyk J. dted Malta Pollack, The MuftjpIe Unoonstitutionah of Business Memod
p~. 26 Ro,.tl)8rs Cornpuleo' & Tech LJ 61,96 (2002), lOS SIeling
_ o r lIuSinKO
Tho " " _ "" WI
_or _ ~1"'G<U:_~1t>o cent"')'
--_. ---_.
bel<ftltle JicanR._. On .... <:orOnI)'. 1720is-, _ ..
1M ""g' oong or. _.'" in En\IIiSII_ -... 0<0l thO tlei olio,. or
1147] The reference by trw CAFC 10 English l"'acIi<:e at trw lima trw 1793 US Patent
Act ",as t:>eing codifoe<l in on3er 10....-.:lers1and trw meaning 01 lerms used in tile
statule Os re""'am to Btl inquiry inlo whether a C8\egIOt)I 01 invemion in tile
Canadian Patem Ad is sul'fioenll\l broad to inducla a particular Slilject matt...
The Canad..... Slat\.te. including 1he <:Ietinilion 01 inoention, "'lOS modelled on Iha1
01 the U.S. Patem Acl. end thus ind~ecIly has i1s rooI. in ear1y English 1"'ac1ice
1 146] For 1he foregoing tel'SonS. ~ rind !hat toAines. methods ere excluded Slilject
mallet and ara ut1>"!amabla in Car>ada.
r 149] A reoen1 d'""-1SSion 01 rhOs topic in tile UK Os found in CFPH. _ a Mr P

f'faS<Xlll OC (sitting as a 0eI:U1 JudIJa) had thOs to say about 00"'-' melhods:
_ "'" Ell<luclod For DlIfett"ll Roo.....
21 When we come 10 _ ot Iho Ii5I or...- 0Illi<II _ _
dO ... """""'" """ I ... .,.., "*"""".....-,

con ""ho.lI1..
..... •'" .... . - . - o s roq--I>Og. €>""'" . . - . _..... dO
.... <:onoIihIIe _logicionscell • _ , Of IogIeol clao. t _ I
belieoe thot Ihey....., ...... eJ<dOOed Iorthe ....... ..,....... On ItIe
.,.,. .,. ,
.... t>o 1M
"'._""-._110.<....-... . .
In ...",~ ... , ......... to _ . "' ..
...... __ ""_10 __ ~thot_.pPIoOlO
ODe eJ<dOOed f.m 0<0l bIiIIdIy <:eIIJ _ "".r 10. di....... iIem
Il<oolo>o•• _ _
41 _ ..... _ _ .--.wruoo .. 1 M - . _
'''I .._1'" .~_ or """,,1 h.. bOCaIlM. ~,
___ lOr - . . . . . meIho<l>....., ""'-11"'_ ,.. _ _
_ _ __ "" ...., _ _ 1M t>o_ orthot " ' _ ,
""" __ .... """ ...... e . _ n... """"....,.-y". ..
_l\oo .. ongMors. M_ prOOotJly """"- 0 0 _ ( _
.... . - . or priesls> "'"' mo<le the _ ".._ or "1_,
~ wrilirl(I, ~ .. _ .,,,• ...,..., tt>O ..... - 01
_ ; 01 ~ _p;ng, 01 ~'llIO lI"I. 01
'''dI...g." 01 joklI_ ~ 01 no.nnco ..-.: 01
_.rUt;
de......,. bonkil"Q: 0 1 _ ....... 1 ~ ; 01 !he
_00
fIOI .... OCI. A ~.'"

_01
_
,a
, . - . "", .. ,... co
_"""""" M~ """'""'" 01 ,"" oll\o<1. Tho ~
""""",,," _""'".. b e _ ~!he b<o<Iens. ThoI hoo to
t>o """""",,,",OCI t>y _ n M.. 00, _ in .., <:oM tt>O
_ .. "" tt>O 1OgiOl """.,.,...,.., .... in Eutopo '''"
logiolotu<o ... '"" ,., ....-
Q Tho _ ""on"""'"""_ tt>O 1IOOgOCI_"" ... todO ....

<Oo'I'I">g "'" • ~" ...... _ . , ......... 0$11IO _
lr)t"Q to _ • """""" 01 dok>g _ 1 ThoI .. '"" _ . 0<
..... ..,.... ,. _ """,,,,"""' tedInologf? ThoI "'"' be _ (I
dOptOOO), 8ul _dO 10" ,.. tt>O ~ 1 '" .... _ , '
""""'""" ~ 00 .. 10 " " _ ' " . _ ~
1O<:IIniquo'" UI<iwIologl<oI_OCI. M... mOCllN \011I>
miIiOnoof_OIforvenI. ",.....,."Yes. W~
.. "'" 11IO """ or _ _"'"'" 111.. ""llhllO t>o _ to
-
""""". """ """$I . _ . . . . , .. . . . "'" _ .... _ ... mill"'
1150 ) A "","'M , charadlllislic 01 !he five cat"ll"'ies of invemion is that they • •

t&ChnOlogical in r.alure. Something that is JloI ted'<lologlcal io ttle<eI<:l.-e non·
olatulory S<.t;ect ma"9< More specifocally, S<.t;ect ma"9<!hat rote under one of
the r"e ceteooo"oes of invenlion "typicelly, in sub$lance, a led'nological ~ion
to a ~em, whid1 problem is often in 8 r..1d of t&ChnOlogy A ledY1ological
ooIulion may i~ a ted'<lologlcal advantage Of t>enel"oI.
1151 ) Hislorically. IhD courts have <lescribDd the Patent Ad a. applying to "ocien<;e
and useful arts" (Pope Appliance Corp. y, Span#iIJ River Pulp & Paper Mill. LId,
(1928).11929) 1 D.LR 209 (P.C.)) flIId to the ..............1or pmdudive arts"
(Tennessee Eastman Co. Y. Canada (Commissioner 01 Patents) (1970), 62
CP.R 117 (b Cll). w~ were to erocapsula19 theM principle......ingle
word, one whid1 is also refle<:Iive of modem induslly. d wooId be 'technology.
That is, to be patentable, an invtIo1ion rJJ.ISl be teehnologlcal. While d .. diffio.Jtl
to an"ive al a ..Ogle accepted OOtinition oI'tachnology, ~ are S<4'IX"led ... our
view by reference to the tallowing SCIUfOII••
r 152 ) Collin. Gaoe Canadian PapertJaclr Dictionary, New Edition (2006) deli.....
technology e.foIlows:"l applied science. 2 a PfOC'I'S', eIC., "'''ing from "l'l'IOad
sciences flIId <les9"lad esp for dealing wilh a given laSl('. And the Canar;J;an
o"lOrd DictX>nary, 2nd ed. (2004) defil"leS !he letm as: ·1 lhe sludy or use of lhe
mec/'lanoesl arlS and applied sciences 2 !he applic8lion of lhis 10 pr8CIoesllasks
in inOulllfy. 3 a tool. ale, US&d for lhis'.
I 153] Further. !he Patant Rules rel'ar 10 the lactrical natu"e of inv9n1ions S<.b$ecIion
80(1) of lhe Rules specifies 1hat '/".. descriplion shall ... descril>ll the in......1ion
in terms that aJIow t1Ie urldfHstardng of/he tedmicaI problem ... and jfs
so/UIiorI', An<! Section 79 01 !he Rules. dealing with !he requif'M'WllS for
abstrads, refers to 'technical information', 'technical field". '1e<:tnoesl problam".
and "l9Chnicellealu"e'. While theM Mdions 01 the PaI$Ilt RuI/ls pena;n 10 the
torm 01 palen! appIic8lions, no! Slbslllnlive requif'M'WllS, and Ihos are no!
conclusive on the ~lion, they are consislent witflthe Board's view- thai
patantable in.entions "..".1 be 19ChnoIogoesl in natu"9
I 155] Slililurther. in HlIIVarcJ CCIIeg6 •. Canada (Commissioner of Patents), 2002 SCC

76, (2002) 4 SC.R 45, 21 C.P.R (4th) 417, a1 paragraph 158 (H""'aroJ,
BaSlarache J, poinled ouIlhal!he Paten! Act prot"",s advances in 19ChnoIogy.
I_ "'OIl"" definilion of I n _ In .... P..... A.. io _ , Be<:ouoe

1M M _ ~ In poo:1l0 _ . 1nnO'i0li00. liS""" _ _ to
_'M""""""'''' In_to .. _ - . g I > t o s _..
..-.I<neon _ ~"" lOd.ooIoo,n.
I 155] That patenta~e inventions are teet'nological in nalure ",as IllC$ntly con'irmlld in
lhe United Kingdom, fJJ. par""aphs 4&-47, Aarr:iIeI sats w a "/<:JoJ Slap
approach' for assessing ~ a daimed inYerl1ion " excli.>:led Ifom patentabllit~.
Jacob lJ included a IlOSl Iltep as a etoeek on _her tha contribulion " actually
lechnical in nalure, Slating'
_ _ _ -CheCk_ .... _ i o _ _ may""' ..
~ - ... ,,,,, IhiId _ _ !>II... """""'" ,!>III. • io. ~
CheCk _ ~ .... is '0 _ _ "'""'" os ...........
'hiS''''
--"""---...,
....... r... is _ "' .... _ _ by thiS
¢Od'I1n F "" I so ~ "'" In. d ................ ",...•
..... '""'_.... ,
.--
q<MAions: ""'01 iI " " ' ~ ? ill!fIdWcaI?) 0001Ilon _ .... . -
"III. """_"'""" <:oosiSIs _II' '" e>«Ule<l miller ...... <:oUnI os
"""-,
I 156] The COU'1 01 Appeal in IWoIeI rAppendi. " Analysis oItha casa Iaw") explained
lhe adopIion of lhe 'lectncal oonlnbulion" approach by ~ LyncII(l989) RPC
581, at Pllr198phs 83-84 (QUOIaIions 00titted]:
... liS ~ ~ " ' ' '_ _ Lyro<t>_ .... COurt'"

"WOOl, N ............ Of """'" _ _, Tht _ """*,,,,"' ..
_ _ <:Ofll_ '0Sl '" Vil»m _ ~.
... 'hi$COuoI~NEPO"' ,' Bul'' '

l.now_._
_not N _ ...... F.. ' . . . _ l O m... _
contriJoIioo ill Tht..", _ 01 F WS
1O
PdI;JmonI in elle<lsays """ • """eI _ 10 on

. . - . - . - . . . - . not ""'""" .... - in'IPOvamo<Jt,
r157] Aerr:Ael8Cl<n<>loledged 8 di.ergence fmm !he E..-opean P8Iem orr"", (EPO)

approach set ouI in HdllChi (2004) T259103 and Pension Benefits (2(((1)
T0931/95 and. 8l'I9I" ra";ewing these ,",,"08Ches, Slal9d at paragr8fltl115:
This;o 0">000_ wiI. GaIo in ' COuoI _ _ - . . _ ...",

.. - . , • _ _ , . _ , 'inp:t<:liOtION"'".~ in
prinOiIlIO Of.".,. ........... _ _, Tht.........,;"g , ....... _ _ Of
_;0""'" .".."""_ p<ogr1Im'" -.";AI "'" _0Cl Of
.... ....,
"*""'Jin
.., .,......
_ '.. _iS_,
i n _ , '"" • p/lysl<:OI_OCl""" not only -.ooIos
10 be ., .... '"",,0<1 _...", ....
_
1158]ln Hd8C/li{at paragraphs 3.3. 35and 3.6). the EPO Boatd' dismiSs9d1he
"comribulion approach"_ was adopted in Vicom (19S6) T208I84, The EM
Bo8n:l ei1ed eanier decillions pointing ouIthe problems with this approach:
U,
~•••,., onin _ _" - ' _
10'" ""'" 01111 ,,,,,,,,,,,," m<IfO "lIfI'OP'\aIo k>r'" _
0I.~
"""ely _ i n _ step,,,",, for ~ "" posoilJle ex-.... <alde<
..._ 52(21_ (3)' (T "13191. OJ EPO ,_,050II. """'"' .);
.",.".11 in EPC for~_"""'_'of
.... _ion feo1 ""~ _ . - whim ... _

fr<>m .... ""'"
OIl _ """"'"'"'11_'" _ ""_,,",, ...... be ~ ,.
bean in_ _ ... .......,;ngOfAttiClO i\2(1)EPC. 1'nuol..... ;O . .
..... in .... EPC for ~ I!"Os ~ _ . " . " . , . . . for Il\1o
_ " (T ~)l(~S. S<4Q, " _ I V ) .
J,S~.101<"11 "". _ """' .......... O f _ .....

~ _ _ .. an"_ _ ""mun;ng
"'....- 52(1) EPC _ ""'" OIl _ ... be consiIler<ld - . .
-.g _ CIOin>Od SUlIjOoCl"""".r;o ...", ....... -•• """,,"I!ing
........... not ""..-.g _....- 52(2) EPC 0UlIj0<l "II of
_ _ _ _ --.lIaIn-,olyl". ... _
........ d.. ,oo... tum ""'10 IIMII .. requRmenIs "'....- 52(1) EPC.
M _.... _ _ .. _roI...,.."'__ . . .
_ _ _ 1. .' ..... 1lOd ... _iOo ......
... _ in.
r.o.._.__
'"'VO'Y ""'"'_"".".., (Of p(IOlO H """"'l.
$"""
_._ t o _ I t y _ I t l o _ o f ....
........"'iOo .. to _ _ , M*II. in oooont.""" _ the
~ o f.... _ o f - - ' , ; O ... _'...,_l". _
_ of'" " ' _ (Of p(IOlO 5.J """"'l.
1159 Jfrom 1he aboy., ~ i. clear _ the EPO also considers lechnical and non-
t&Chnicallealures, ~be;t wittl respect to invenIiWl Slap, aM not patantabl.
S<bjecI maller
1 160 JTlI8f ."'."Iions <l'M,ISl be le<:hnoIogiclll al$O fiMs support in the Agreement on
Tr_ Relal.ed ospeclS oIlntelle<:luDl propen~ rightS (TRIPS), al AniclD 27:
___ ............ "" ...._ for ""I' "' _ _ """""'" Of

.... . in .. _ of tedIn<Jloon. ~ _lhey.", new. _ .....
_ _ 1lOd ... _ of _ ..... Il<>1*O_,
and III Miele 7'
Tho pro!eCliOo ... onlon:MIe.. of - ... _JIy ~ _

<:oIO:fbn.1O Ihe _iOo oIled.oologiuoIlnnoYaIioo _ tothe ........
IlOd _ _ of10C1w>010Qy ,
TRIPS was also raklrrad 10 in A¥oIaIIII paragrlll'tl16.
I 161 J In Ylaw of 1he Ioregong, we are 01 me Ylaw _ claimed S<tlject ma~er _ is not
le<:hnoIogiCDI in """"" Os not S!aMory
I 162 J Rwill often be tile case tha1 subjad matter whicIl Os eXCU:Jed from patantablHty Os
al lhe same lOne also _ which is non-lec1'nological in nal..... For ~e, a
claim to • mnlhod of playing a ga...... on ~. facn, i. " " _ from patentability
and is al$O non-tecl'nological, likewise, tile Boanl CllIYlOI presently ltlink of a
siluabon where !he substDnoe of a daimed ifl\l<lfl1ion Os a business meIhod, and
is nctuall\llDChnologicaI in nat..... But il may 001 always be 1he case _ whal
is excl\.o:l9(j subjacI mattar Os also non-t9ChnoIogical. For example, a claim
con1lIining a meIhod of mediCDI rreatmenl is excluded from pntental>ilily, while il
may arguatlly be lecl'nological in nature. Tharalora, il the claimed S<tlject
maller is non-t9ChnoIogiclll in nalt.a"e, il Os "'l'8lerrtable However, tile ....... se Os
not """".sarily truD. That is, il the cla<med subjecI mattor i. f<>Und to be
te<:hnological, one must still Mila" _her me subjad matt.. is excl\.o:l9(j, Of
<XlU"se, oil claimed S<bjecI moller mu51 olso fit 1M definition 01 0 CIIIeg<>ry of
inYenIion, as explained earl....
r 163] we have oonsOdetlld lhe A!>l>hcanrs position in lhe re5J101lS8 10 the Final Action
that, lICCOfding 10 Har;an1 Coi/8g8 v. Canada (CommissiDnfJr of Patants), (2002)
SC.C 76, malhDds clearly lall wiII'in the "*,,,ng '" !he 191m "process" in
Section 2 when !he words ara ,ead "in !heir grammahcal and ordinary sensa". AI
the Hearng, the Applicant staled thai cla;ms 44 10 50 set """ a syslem """ctl
clearly lit under Ihe category '" "machine". Th8 Board ca""'" agrae wilh !his
,aasoning becausa it a~ts form 0'''' substane8, wilh the ,asuR that ""Y non-
Slatutory S<tlject man", wwld tleCOOI!I palentable solely t>y expre$$ng ~ in the
larm '" a meIhod claim <J( a mactMn8 claim.
r 164 ] Wdh respedlo Ihe malhDd claims. !he Board agrees wilh Ihe Applicant that Ihe
assessmenl willlt>cus on _he, lheS8 claims lit into !he calegory <II"an '"
prooe$$", By form, these cla;ms are d~aeted to a melhl>d. As shooom later in l>UI'
analysis. !he S<bslar1C8 01 these claims includes only S\8pS, -..tich must f~ into
the catagory '" art '" prooess.
r 165] As lor claims 44 to 50, t>y Ihe;, rorm lhay ara di'ecled 10 a system, which mu51 b8
assassad wilh ,aspact to _ not ~ fits under the catagory '" "macllina".
'"
Ho::rwe_, !his does flOl necessarily mean !hal !he !!b!1allCt 01 these claims
rTUllbe assessed 10 fil under !he caleglOry '" maclline. Although claim 44 _
lorttl a client system with rrOJltiple co",po, "" U, whal is ,,",,"bed is a ganaral
pu-posa ~91" wdh a weo bn::rws9I" Ihat carnes 0UI1he inS/fuCIions
transmitlad to ~ by the sarvw. Thus, while !he rorm '" claims 4410 50 ,alatas 10
a syslem (a maclline), the SUbstance '" the claimed inYerltion, as will be
discussed subsequenlly in our analysis, is !he sarna as !hal'" !he meIhod
claims. Al the t;aaring, the Applicant poinlad to !he lacllhat the ~ are
specific and Odenlif>8ble; ~, no charaetariZation 0I1he claimed awaratus
was ~ to mango !he Board's understanding <II !he claimed ......nIion
r 166] Therefore, whal has ~ added 10 tunan knowIlIdge (Ihe Substane8) by both
the malhod claims and systam claims ........1be assassad 10 _ ~ it fIlS under the
category '" "art <J( process- as sel out in Section 2 01 the PlJIent Act, in order to
be p81enlable.
FOOD o! the claims

"
1167 J In<lepen<lent claims 1, 19, 33, 51, 60 a"ld 6S 081 out"A method in
a client
sY'!9m lot ordering an item· and "A """hod in • ~91" Isy.l9m1 tor orderir'oI:l
items" These claims <lefine steps to place orden and facililale adrrM"'Slrali';e
~ of ordering, .l.ICIl as Ofde< cancelta1ion. COITltlining or-den, lIOd Cf'oar'lgOng
acoount irrlonnalion. Theseclaoms, on lhe<r faoe. are d~&CI9d at a method lor
the IUChase of 1JOOds. and as sudl, are da<mi"ll a method 01 doO"II business
-,.
TherelGre. da;fflS 11043 and el8ims 51 to 75 are directed 10 exdl.lOed S<.tJjed;
I 168] Claims 44 10 50, on Ihe~ race. are direct9d to • client 'y$19<ll ...tid> i, a physic81
objecI (8 madline). Ttwel«e, claims 44 to 50, in lonn, f~ imo the CBIegIOI)I of
mactlirle under Section 2 of th& PIlter>/ Act.
Substance of !he claims
r 169] Allhe Iieating and in the leiter dal<ld flkNember 2'iJ", 2006, !he Applican1
characlerized Ihe claimed illYefllion as a subsaipliorHype system (requiring
regi$b"alion) buI with many ao:tv¥llaga. 01 a seuiQn-rype sy.l9m From the
A!>l>1"",nr. _aments at !he Hearing, !he poIOOIial addition 10 tu:nan
knowledge maoe by claims 110 75, " as Ioll<:l'wlc;
i. OrOerng by a sngl&-3ction (one-cIid<);
ii. A registered user being able 10 order w;lhout logging in - a """" .......
of a cookie;
iii. A red>ction in !he amount 01 inlormalion transmitted by ........ to
orde< an ilem, .-.I a corresponding ,"dueb"" in compuIer res<>JfC8
OV$'head and processing - a """" and i<npo"oved Wll1 01 ordering:
~
iv. EnI\lIoced security proviI»:l by 001 transmitting sensitive penooal

acoount inlonnalion ........, placing an order, which inlonnalion can
be changed by logging in at a later trme
_to
r 170 I The Board .. lnable 10 agree Ihallhe _antage DI enhanced secu~y has
human l<Ilo'Wledge. II is an _anlage of the .ubsaiplion-based model

lhal sen"!;"e patsonal l'lIormaliQn is no! trensmilled when 0tdeIing an i«lm
been
The Applicant characterized lhe irMlrJIiQn as being a modifoed SlbsaipI.....

baSed system, and this advantage is inherent 10 suctl systems,
1171 JThereI<>IlI, our initial vl_ Dllhe sl.t>s1ance or _ has been _ to human
l<Ilo'Wledge bV the claimed InvtI01iQn, Is as tGllows:
I. A new use DI a cookie, in panicul..., 1" 'elroeve pu'Cha"",~JI"df'"
account infDmIalioo (a unique users billing/shipping inlorma1i<ln)

lhal was previously stored:
ii. The fealUre 01 single-aclion orderi"ll wiIhout a <:hecI<wt step and
wiIhout ha>ring to enler pu-<:haser-specifoc..x:ount inlonnalion
(although ~ Os imeren11rom subsaiplion.bBsed systems to relneve
this inIormaIion lrom storage wiIhout tile need 10 re-anl« this data.
it is ind\.o:l9(j at !his stage 10 assess the ted'nological nalUre oIthe
illY<lfl1ionl;
iii. The _entagoe 01 a registered usa.- being able 10 order wiIhout
loQging in• ...nile relaining !he adv""'ages 01 being a regisleted
.......-; and
iv. The benaIit 01 COO1llUer resource overhead raduclion because
f....... steps ara needed to placa ..., order:
Although the Board considers tile particular <.1M 01 a cookia (feat..... i.) 10
re1Ji....... purdlaser-specific DCCOI.>"l1 inlormabon lha1 was prevlously S1CO"ed. is
sometIling that would Mv9 t>aen aviOeo1 to tha skilled polfSOIl on tile da;m data,
this use is in<:lo<lad above 10 chad< """ a tachnological effaet in OU" S<bsequent
analysis.
r 17211n OU" IIi_, hailing regard to both !he dMcfiplion in !he specifICation and tha
plOo< art what has ~ t>aan df&covered in lealUffl ii, to iv, ~ is limijed
to straamlil"irog the tradijional online oodao jnO """hod. and the banafll$ and
_anlages 1hat now Ifom it. In olher words. tha essence 0I1he claimed
ifw«l1ion Os the particular rUOl$ """ carrying 0Ul ..., online on3ar. Wheraas
previously, particular chad<0UI SIe!'S indoding a ctIed<ouI page were provided,
the claimed invention provides a client wi1h Ihe option 01 "sing_ion ordering"
fo< I'I$Ianl ctIed<ouI The widei)' accepI9d s/'ooppOng rule 0< praetica 01
"chad<ing-<>uI" by providing a ched<ouI rev""" page is eliminated
r 1731 As stated earlier, ll}'SIem claims 4<l to 50, by lorm. are directed to a p/lyslcal
object. Hl>lO'ever, the SlbsIance Dllhese cl,,;ms is !he same as the melhod
claims (claims 1 to 43 and cl",ms 51 to 75). Therefore. claims 1 to 75 mull f~
......oar tile category 01 art or process in order to <J.Illlify as statutory S<.tijecl
-~
r 174 I K 1he substance 01 the claimed invemion is not •..., act or sen. . 01 acts
performed by soma physical "11""1 '4lO'l soma pllysical objed and proWcing in
such otlject some Change either 01 Character or 01 coodhion·, it is not an art
lrI<ler Section 2 Dl!he PlJterH Act.
claimed invention, and what is added to human l<rIowIo<lga is a chanl,Ja to me
chatac«lt or condition rA I\(>w me ordet for a pr<::dJcl Os aclUll11y placed and
processed. The prod.lcts or goods are not dlMged. Thal is, there is ..., chanl,Ja
"'ther of character or rA cood~ion 10 any p/lysocal otlject itse" by me acl 01
ordaring the pr<::dJcl in (lI'le way or another
[ 176] Coosequao1ly, the S<bs1ance (what I'IaS ~ added 10 Il<.ooso l<rloo.oledgej 01

claims 1 to 75 is no! an an and these claims carno1li1 under $eclion 2 01 me
-'M.
[177] Atthough we hI:.. e found !hat these claOms are not statUIOf)' subjec1 matt« and ~
is unnecenary to go any f\nhaf, me Boan:l will check wtla!her the su~ance of
the claimed invention is excl\.o:la(j subjIloc1 mat«lt,
[ 178] WfJ have been careful to r&voaw lhe ptaclocal inl>lementation ...-.:Ie~y;ng me
ordeting melhod, and in our "iew ~ does not add to human l<rIowIo<lga anything
other than a relailing (;(JOC$pl and soma rules Iof ordeting items.
1179] Traditionally, relailing (;(JOC$p\S or rules Iof carrying w retailing 1ransacIions

hav9 not been patentable in Caoacla, ThOs is _ suctl relailing (;(JOC$plS 0.-
transac1ional rules lall no 1he exclusion rA t>e;ng a melhod rA lbng business,
which cannot be an art or procen. There is ..., basis upon whidlme Board can
I"9COI\'II\'Iend a deparlu'e from Ihe pas! judicial in!etpte18lions of...t\al is a
patentable an or process. In HatVard, 8astarache J., writing Iof me ma;or~y 01
the S<¥eme CCU1 of Caoacla, _ad:
110505i ~ llillI* w. _ _ . . - . _ ~ I""" tilt

I,."..".... ~.".-.ymo, _ t t , tilt ~ . _ (II ...", ... """'s ••
~ """• . - moIIO< tI>oI . - • . . . . - 00 '''_11'~
_ . K hiQI>e< Iile _ . . to be ...... . - , iI ...... 1Ie . . - tile __
..-.l.......-_oo_,
1 180] Following this lJ,lOdanoe, we similar!)' f.-.::llhal since palentw-.g busil'\&$S melhods
would in1IoIve a radical departure from 1he traditional pale'" regime, and since
the palantat>lily of sUCll method. is a highly contentious matt«, clear and
..-.equi1lOCll11egislMion Os required for bosine-ss methods to be patentable
1 181 ] Returning to 1he ns1llnt application, concepts or rules fo.- 1he mote efficient
conducI 01 online ordeting, ere methods of doing bu..ness. E1IeI1 if these
(;(JOC$plS 0.- rules are 1lO1I81, ingenious and useful, !hey are Il1iII unpatentable
because they are l:oJsine•• method•. Therefore, the so.bs1ance c1the d"'med
inv9n1ion (deim. 1 to 75) i. exduded because it amoo.nts 10 a method cI doing
l:oJsine.s.
1 182] The Board Os _re !hat there <TIll)' have been inslances cI pal(lnlS issuing lor
l:oJsine.s methods. H, _ , lhall""acIi<:e was iro::onsistem with a proper
intarprelation of the Pille", Act, men ~ rJJ.ISl be corrected, Policy and practice
are noI maKers for state decisis, and should ba chanQed ~!o<rId 10 ba wrong
1 183] Once again, allhoo.>i;to ~ is <.rnaoe.sary 10 go 8<l\' fl,ll'lhat, the Board will check
_ the S<bstanee c1the d"'med ...... ntion is non.IednoIogicel in natu'e
1 184] The lublll8OC$ of the claimed invention is non-sta1Uory ~ no t&CllnOlogical

imovmion has been added to hunan l<nowIadga. A le<tnoIogicel imovmion
may be I""ovided b)I a le<:tnologlcal advantage, or a te<:tnological solution,
which typical!)' arises from solvng a l&ehnical problem. Of COU'se, Iha ~ion,
....-
problem or advantage mu51 have been somalhing that was added 10 human
1195]Slarling from our initial view (features i. 10 iv. ebove) as 1 0 _ has been added
to hunan l<nowIadga, ....e ~I consider &acIl of meselealures 10 <::heCk ~ til8\'
ara noI te<:hnoIogical in nalU'a. n a famura is nolledY1ological, a ru-ther ctIed<
il needed 10 _ ~ there .. some teclnologlcal efted or ra.un !hat has been
added 10 human knowledge Even ~ all of Iha leal....... are non-teehnoIogical, a
ctIeck .. nee<led 10 see ~!hera is a le<tnoIogical etfec1 in the oornllinalion cI all
f&81u'es that have been added 10 hunan l<nowIadga. This pertains to the
following leal....... (iQantified earlier)
i. A.- use cI a cookie, in particular, 10rll1r_lUchaser-'~K:
ao::ounI informalion that ....as previously stored;
ii. The lealU'a c1lngla-8ction ordering wilhouI a ched<ouIllap and
withoul having to IUchaser~ a<XX>I.>"lt informaIion;
iii. The advantaoa of a regi.19I"ed user being abla 10 order wilhouI
loQging in, ...nile relaining the advantages 01 bang a ragi_ad
user; and
iv. The benaIit of ~er resource overhead reduclion because
f..-- Ilaps are .-de<l1O ~ an order:
1186] Sngla-8c:lion ordarng wiIhoul ctIad<rIuI. (Iealura •. ) involves Itreamli""", the

rule.... practice lor sIlopping, that iI, ~ relata. to a business deDlion with
l:oJsiness ~ications There .. noIhing leChnical aboulthi. aspacl of the
claimed invention. That is noI 10 say that ltl.. featlXe does noI inv""'" the use of
-
a teetnical feat\Q, namely: a cookie with en iQentiller, ...tid> is eveluel9d Iu1her
1 187]ln response 10 the Final Action, the Applicant stated en ao:tY¥llege of the
i........ruon a. follows,
The doirno<l . . - prOYi<le on opo<aIOf 01 0 <:onIjI<UIized """"IrQ

.,.,om wittI "-'ol:lO _10"""""", 0 - . ""'"""U 0 _ " , * , lIlO*"
-
' ' ' ' ' ' . IQ lIlO _ 1 " , lIlO _ _ ""'"' .0... """' .... _ _
That e '''IIist... lId ....... may place an or<ler wilhout having to log in (featlXe iii.), i.
a convenience edvartage which may be attnbu!9d 10 e desire 10 increase seles
by en<XlU'aging sponl8flllity or impulse buying. As with singllHoC1ion ordering,
although this aspect of the claomed inventioo may be useful, ~ is 001
tachnological in nature, end i1 does noI resuII in some Iu1her 1eC/Ylical atIect
1186] That le$$ proo::essing (program e.ecution and f'IIeI'J>Jfy us.age) is required
(Ieall>'e iv.) by the server due 10 a ,e<lucIion in !he steps nee<led to order
SOffHIIhing may lit first appear 10 bOIlachno1ogical. However, i1 is the business
decision to eliminate Slaps in the online ordering method, which nalurlltly leads
to a re<lucIion in proo::essing needs. In _ words, it is noI !he case thm less
prooessor reso<n:e$ are boling COOSU'IIlId as a resuII of the same tasks boling
acoomplis/led mote etIicienUy fI'o'ouItI a tachnological advance, W insleed, i1 is
the tasks themselves 1haI have been streamlined or eliminated by cany;ng
through a businolts decision to slreamline the lraditional ordering method,
1199] Therelore, !he boInefil of compuI... "'""'-'"011 overtMoad ,ed.dion (leal..... iv.) is
noI tachnological in nature. 00.6 view is S<4'POfled by the fact thmlhere is
noIhing in !he spe6flClltion thmlocuses 00 a ,ed>ction in ~e, processing
as a lecto:'lOlogical protllem 10 be solved. Furttle<, while fewer steps life ~

to ordet a single ilem, at !he same bme addilional processing woukI be required
in embodiments where mJPlipie orders are trad<ed and <:omlIined. Thus, it is
arguable whether !hese emtlOdiments actlieve a reduction in comput« ,esouree
1 190] This leaves the new use 01 cookie Iecl'nology (feat\Q i.), which might potentially
SlwIy an addilioo 10 hum8n knowledge that is led'noIogical in natu'e
1 191 ] The claimed invenIion makes use 01 knI:>wn cookie lad'nology as foUQWS The
technical implementation i"""""'. the programming lit the --.1If which provide.
a web page (which page is displayed to a user). The Bo8n:l ~ ltlis
programming is mod~led to perl""" the 1<>I1owing ta.ks
i. <lispla)t an instam ordering bulIon nexlto B voewed ~;
ii. cause thB cookie Of idBnlifoer 10 be --.I at thB $BffiB timB the
snglB-3ClOon ordBr ~$1 is --.I;
iii. ....... the received i<lBntilier to '1ooI<-up" IhB billing and shipping
(account) inI"""atOon oflhB unique use<; aOd
iv. CBUSe the ~ to be instantly or<ler<ld with said informBlOon.
BeIore IhBse $Ieps .$ ClIiIi$d 001. the user ""'$I haV$ pr$¥iousJy $nI:er$d h" or
her IIIXXlU"l1 informBlion and selected the opIion to enabl$ singk! action ordering.
S(> tha1 a 1JIliQu$ Kleo1ifOllf (Of cookie) is pl8Clld on his Of her COfI\PI.II$f,
1192 JCook... or idtlntifillfS a", known in the prior a-t lor use in i<lBntif}'ng 1JIliQu$
..-s. and lor use in providng a link to JlIIMw infomla1ion mat is to be
associated with IhBllrliquB user's idenIit)I information. ~"no! a mater",1 factor.
in IhB Board's opinion. _her the inI"""afion being a.soaated wim a client
idoantifi. is to identify a 1JIliQu$ ....... r. to identify oems 01 inIllI"esI to a ..-. Of
OIher I""""""al informBlion which may be on hand BIIhB _ aboul thai user:
le>r ~le. inIormaIion kfIp1 in a subscription s~e _ tha1 ....... r " r$g~,
Y~llislS otNlr .."..1. uses of cook,". lor $<8mpk!: lor Iracking Woo sites thai
hlMI been visited by 1hat ......... aOd lor tracl<ng IhB sequence of a session on a
W$b s~e. The «K::t'olologocal eapabilit)' of a cookie whicll " rllll$Cled in IhB
clBimed in"""'ion is Ihm a ......... can ~ize a 1JIliQu$ ....... by us<ng B
cool<ie. aOd make use 0I1hat recognition by re1Jievng _ inl"""ation (as
..-:l9d) This l$Cl'nological capal;Niit)r was known bef<)l"$ the clBim dale.
I 193 JWhBI is new in leann i. " 1hat thB cliilll'lt sylll«O will supply its client identifler
(cookie) to IhB ..... SySIIlm. and the ..... r<>bi_s thB pu-<:haser-specifoc
aa:ount inlormalion, and causes an or<ler to be made. This new use of the
cookie. in thB Boan1s opinion. is nOIl$Cl'nological and dOeS nOI realize a /l..o1IMr
technical eIfecllhm can be said 10 _ been added to human krIowIedge
1 194 JFrom our _Jy"s abo_e. the S<bsl8r1C8 of Ihe clBimed """-"ion .. no!
tecllnologiCBI in """"". ClIIims 1 to 75 do no! add anything to hunBn
koowlOldge which isl&Chnological and a", 1heIlII<)I"$ IlOO-stallJlOfy. We_
been car<>fulto "",iew the praclical i~lemen1B100n underlyng the ordBrng
method. and in our view il dOeS no! add to human krIowIedge anything thai is
tecllnological in Mlu"'.
FIndings. $action 2
1195]The Board finds _
"
claims 110 75 do 001 f~ oode< SecIion 2 01 the Patent Ad.
"
RECOMMENDATION
I 1961ln $UTI'T\lIt)'. !he Board ,ecooll'• .::Is lhat
, The ExarnioeI's objedion 10 claims '-75 fO< t:>e;ng obvious be r9Versed;

2 The E.<aminer'5 objection 10 c18ims '_75 for no! t>e;no "" .., Of process
under Sect.... 2 of the Patent Ad be upheld: and
3 The rejeclOon oIlhe applic8lion be atr.-med.
e-
M- .....
M. Couture P.FiIzner
Mom'"
I 197]1 concur with the finding. and the ,ecooll'. odalion 01 the Palen! Appeal Board
Acoordingly, I refuse to gran! a ""'en! on this BJlPlicabon. Under Section 41 01
the Patent Act the Applic801 has six monthS within "",0Ch to ~ my decision
to the Federal eoun 01 Canada.
Mill)' Carman
Commisaiooef 01 Pata,m
Daled at GaIi""au, Ouebec,

this day 01 . 2009

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COMMISS~ER'S DECISION SUMMARY

cn 1290 Awhc"lion 2,246,933

DECISION OF THE CQMMISSIONER OF PATENTS

Agent f!lr the ApplieafJI

OYEN WIGGS GREEN & MlITALA UP

sut:;eeI matte" , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,48

I 1] This decillion deals with a revi.... by the CommiS$Oooe< ~ Palents ~ the

r8] There 8'" 75 cI,,;ms in !he "l'l'hcelion, 5lbIrN1Ied on NOV<lIl'Ibet 27"', = in

" " - in.

'""""~ ......." ........... ~"'" ..." ..., ~

supplied 1'1' • ....-oIn.. _ _ -... "'" """ '*"'" not'- to

I 10 I Claoms 2 10 18 intfoduce M,eral .anabons on the oroenng method of claim 1

SI"i'dlYing !hal the 1ype 01 account inkWmation is bill"", and/or

__._10_'.. . __.. . _.. . _""'_.

I 12] Claims 20-32 inIro<:1.Joe variations on cia"" 19 with reSpecllO ~ the

the $«Ver comt>ining multiple req,.,es,," into a single order when

... A (0;0'" _10<

of".. clienI - . . _ "'.. -..0,1>0 _ Ide_ .,.,."""',

specifying Iha1the lype 01 acoounI infomIaIion i. billing and/or

d;tplaying an indicatOoo thai an order may be cancelled within a

I 17] Independent claim 60 ind\.o:le$, a~ with single«tion ordering, displaying an

account informaIion a~8ad\I ",,""eel at 1he _ _ system. Eadl independent

1 Nedaim. 1-75obvious oodef Section 28.3 oflhe Patent Ad?

2 Are claims 1 to 75 direaed to non-stalUlory SlJljecI maner under Sect....

Pl•~~• i:!;~~i~ I • • ••~1

The Examln.r'. position

Tho ......,. 01 <IItIO<rQ ....... 0/Il1O _ ....ntion USM _ " '

wittle 0iI'I(IIt <liCk, -..;1_ IOgying .. 10 tt>o so_ s,sMm, YOliI_

Vqh ~ _ ....-can onler ~

' .. _ _ Of .... '......... eu. ......... _ """"""'\I'" V...

V",I-. not onler oonnot be~. YefiI_'"

... ,. . _ .....toty ..... . , . - . g _ .. ......", .....

I 34] _ . even d these consideralOoo' could be part 01 a tast for obv"""""ss, it

The AppIlcant's response

... n.. pInse _«III)' Ihe bominer is token "'" 01 oonIe.<I. ..

n...oe, to ~ in, v.p....,

OClion _ lOWiI'I\I in. ""' ..... ,,,,, __ 0IiII oeed 10 ~ in 10 cIIonge

...n.... ~ _ . ,... .....tipIo - . oacII_t>y ........

_ , _oIlt>olWiO<" _ .. I t > o e x - . ' _ " ,

proviOed ado;l;tionlll aro.roeo1s to th& Board in a letter daled NO'o'tIOlbe< 29",

............OCIM>g"\lOings.-._ •••" T....,.....,· v _

..... ~ d r "-'"'II e.<p<rionce. <MIler <:USI<>men "'"' 110

VeJI lIlimply ~ .... ..,.. ~ tecmiques can 110

. . . .m.... _ I O .. _""" ... .,O...,....

The of _ _ ~ is noI NO"" 10 log in """"

'\'SI.m' ... --*"Q .... _ _ 10'" _ '\'SI.m _ on

_ inIOfmoli"" .......... _ "'" 1>0.. 10 IOQ .. Of.....,..,. ...

139 J Al1he 1Waring, !he Applicant ra~_o<l!hese .g<merl1s 10 illustrata!he

Legal PrlnclplRS ' ObYlousness

Tho lflI "" _ _ is not to ... _ _ ",. ""' '"

1&211 dO not .... _ .........., J.A. In _inIoM«I_ lIIO """'"

JI4<!Of1ntion oomn po......... ""'" to !till for ............""' "'by

I 44 J To d<stiogu;sh between DnIicipaIion _ obviousness, in Eli UIy Canada Inc. v.

,v ....._ .... ..._ _ .......

Prlor . . may be.oed in " .. ~ 01 bolh "'"'" WI difleo ......

_. ,,"""---- ..... ...-

ll!Iillllt P"!"'" P'l .., SiQtt. 09!11~""i2" to txj ....

~Ion ...... "'-'Ott"" ............ $O"If;l1t _ _

'N '" -.... .. ,,,- maIIOf is to «IfISi<lN ..... _ . OM

Problem and 191u1ion

145] ThaI a palen! usually inllOlves an i,wenli"" soIuIion 10 8 """"ical problem, i. a

S7 A - . .. OM....., uid "'""'Y , - ' II '"" .....- .. on

fIO'<I""SO (II • _OCI "lOO_ "". -... ......

Pl•• i:!;i~ I • • ••~1

1101 lin ordet to ~ ourcondvsion, 8<"l_Iy3<. us'",,!he ~zo.