The Ultimate Patent Guide
Your Patent Playbook & Answers to 100+ FAQs The Ultimate
Patent Guide
Your Patent Playbook & Answers to 100+ FAQs

Patent Newz Box
One Click to Conquer:
The Story of Amazon’s Patent
In the late 1990s, e-commerce was still in its nascent stages. Online shopping offered convenience, but the checkout process remained a cumbersome hurdle. Then, in 1999, Amazon introduced a revolutionary concept: one-click purchasing. This seemingly simple innovation, patented as "Method and system for placing a purchase order via a communications network" (US Patent No. 5,960,411), forever transformed the online shopping experience.
The concept behind Amazon's one-click system was elegantly simple yet profoundly impactful. By securely storing customers' payment and shipping information, along with their preferences and purchase history, Amazon enabled users to bypass the traditional multi-step checkout process. With just one click of a button, customers could complete a purchase instantaneously, eliminating the need to re-enter their information or navigate through cumbersome forms.
Upon its introduction, Amazon's one-click system was hailed for its unparalleled convenience and efficiency. It represented a paradigm shift in online retail, removing friction from the purchasing process and minimizing the steps between desire and acquisition. Customers were delighted by the effortless shopping experience, which encouraged impulse buying and increased customer loyalty.
However, Amazon's patent for the one-click purchasing system also sparked debates and controversies within the intellectual property and technology communities. At the heart of the debate was the question of whether business methods, particularly those involving software and algorithms, should be eligible for patent protection.
In 2000, Amazon famously sued Barnes & Noble for patent infringement after the latter introduced a similar "Express Lane" feature on its website. The lawsuit ignited a high-profile legal battle that ultimately ended in a settlement, with Barnes & Noble agreeing to license Amazon's patent.
Amazon's one-click patent became a focal point in this broader debate over the patentability of software and business methods. Despite the controversies surrounding its patent, Amazon's one-click purchasing system remained a hallmark of the company's success and a symbol of innovation in e-commerce.
Explore more trivia & patent fun facts!

Have more questions ? Answers are a click away!

FAQ 87

What is a patent portfolio?

FAQ 88

How do i develop and manage my patent portfolios?

FAQ 89

Is it good to have a diverse patent portfolio?

The Ultimate Patent Guide
Your Patent Playbook & Answers to 100+ FAQs