Patenting Estate Planning Techniques: A Patently Difficult Issue

In 1998, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit made it clear that a “business method” was patentable under the U.S. Patent Act. Since that time dozens of tax reduction strategy patents have issued while nearly 100 more are pending at the Patent Office. That, compiled with an estate planning infringement case has had a significant impact for tax advisors and their clients. Foley partners, Barry Grossman and William Weinsheimer will review relevant patent law basics and discuss the potential impact that the patenting of estate planning techniques may have on all advisors involved in the estate planning process. The panel will occur at the upcoming CSO Professional Luncheon Seminar and include Christine Albright, Winston & Strawn and Mary Lee Turk, McDermott Will & Emery as additional panelists.