The State Street ruling, along with the rise of the Internet and e-commerce, resulted in an avalanche in business method patent filings, particularly for techniques used on the Web.

These patents cover many of the most popular and well-known Internet and financial services technologies. For example, Next CardŽ, received a patent for the issuance of online credit. The reverse auction method of Priceline.com is covered by several patents. A Toronto-based marketing firm applied for a patent on a method of "viral marketing" that allows Internet users to become participants in corporate marketing. Amazon.com patented its "One Click" system that stores consumer information such as address so that repeat customers can bypass some of the fields when returning to shop again.

While there has been grumbling in some quarters about the merits of allowing this protection, business method patents are here to stay. They represent the best method of protecting new and unique methods of doing business - on and off the Internet.