... "business practices" is ridiculous, IMO.

Online auction procedures shouldn't be any more patentable than in person auction procedures. Good thing no one ever "patented" the "business practice" of paying cash when you buy something.

The best part of the entire article, BTW, was the reference to the patent awarded to the teenaged boy for swinging "sideways" on a swing, rather than forward and back! How in the world is that "not obvious" -- kids have been doing it since I was one -- all too long a time ago.

Goes to show just how DUMB the process has become. And, for this, we pay taxes!

----- jim o\-S