Database Security Patent Involves “Financial Product or Service” Required for CBM Review

In granting institution of covered business method review of a database security system patent on § 101 grounds, the Board found that the patent was directed to a financial product or service. "Patent Owner states that Petitioner does not cite to 'any single word in any single claim' that is directed to a financial product of service, none of the prior art cited by Petitioner is directed to a financial product or service, and Petitioner does not cite any examples of actual financial products that employ the method of the claims.' . . . The Specification discloses that protection attributes are used to protect against unauthorized access of a data portion in a database and that banking is a field where protection against unauthorized access to databases that are used for administering and storing sensitive information is desired. . . . Banking is a financial activity. . . . [W]e determine that Petitioner establishes that at least claim 1 recites a method or corresponding apparatus for performing data processing or other operations used in the practice, administration, or management of a financial product or service."

Petition for Covered Business Method Patent Review by Informatica Corporation, CBM2015-00010 (PTAB May 11, 2015, Order) (Petravick, APJ)