What is a requirement for patenting a "method of doing business"?

When considering the patentability of a "method of doing business," it is important to understand that the method must typically involve some technological aspect. This requirement stems from the legal framework surrounding patent law, which favors inventions that produce a tangible result or an improvement in technology.

The relevance of technological arts is central to patent eligibility because, historically, abstract ideas, including many business methods, are not patentable unless they are tied to a specific technological implementation. Therefore, a method of doing business that incorporates technology may demonstrate the necessary innovation to be patentable.

In contrast, approaches that are merely routine, conventional, or abstract with no technological improvement do not meet the criteria for patentability set forth by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Hence, for a business method to be patentable, the inclusion of a technological element elevates it beyond a simple business practice or abstract idea.