BB&T is turning to an AIA provision in the hopes of invalidating an overly broad business method patent.
--- # [](https://www.innovation-asset.com/) - [Decipher®](https://www.innovation-asset.com/products-decipher) - [Services](https://www.innovation-asset.com/products/professional-services-0) - [Resources](https://www.innovation-asset.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog) - [About Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/about) - [Contact Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/contact) # Innovation Asset Blog # BB&T seeks assistance of business method review program by [Peter Ackerman](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/author/peter-ackerman) The USPTO's Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents was specifically installed to dissolve confusion surrounding the validity of financial product and service patents. The framework will soon receive its next test from Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T), which hopes to deflect an infringement suit regarding the electronic transfer of funds. According to American Banker, BB&T initially received the claim of infringement in 2012 from computer chip manufacturer Maxim Integrator. The plaintiff also named Capitol One, Starbucks, Walmart and others in separate suits. Maxim insists that these entities have violated one of its core [patents covering the conversion of financial assets](http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/178_181/bb-and-t-strikes-back-on-patent-suit-1062231-1.html) as they're exchanged between electronic endpoints. "BB&T is saying the patent should never have been issued because the subject matter is ineligible for a patent - it's too abstract, too general and too intangible," Ropes & Gray patent litigator Jim Myers, who will lead BB&T's district court challenge, told American Banker. "You can't patent an idea. We believe Maxim with \[US Patent No. 5,949,880\] has patented the idea of moving digital cash from one place to another." Such business method patents represent a [growing proportion](http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/09/patenting-everyday-life-business-method-lawsuits-are-growing-fast/) of intellectual assets currently tied up in infringement litigation, according to Ars Technica. Although these assertions can be frustrating for business owners, an expert awareness of emerging America Invents Act provisions should help them effectively insulate their operations against frivolous litigation.  ### [Peter Ackerman](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/author/peter-ackerman) Founder & CEO, Innovation Asset Group, Inc. [September 18, 2013](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/bbt-seeks-assistance-of-business-method-review-program) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Introducing Decipher® ### Categories - [Intellectual Property Management (459)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/intellectual-property-management) - [Commercialization and Licensing (210)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/commercialization-and-licensing) - [Invention Disclosure (201)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/invention-disclosure) - [Innovation Strategy (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/innovation-strategy) - [Ideas for Good (6)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/ideas-for-good) - [Innovation Team (3)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/innovation-team) ### News Archives - [January 2013 (26)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2013/01) - [September 2012 (25)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/09) - [October 2012 (22)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/10) - [November 2012 (22)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/11) - [November 2010 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2010/11) - [February 2011 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2011/02) - [July 2012 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/07) - [December 2012 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/12) - [January 2012 (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/01) - [March 2012 (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/03) ##### Portland, Oregon USA ##### © Innovation Asset Group, Inc. ##### [Privacy Policy](https://www.innovation-asset.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms & Conditions](https://www.innovation-asset.com/terms-and-conditions/) | [Contact Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/contact/) -