Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
This communication is a final action in response to amendment filed on 12/06/2025. Claims 1-12, 15-19, 22-24 are pending.
Response to Argument
Applicant’s argument directed to 101 rejection has been fully considered but are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that the use of blockchain is not merely a generic computer but is leveraged due to its technical property to improve traditional system. Examiner respectfully disagrees.
In this case, with the exception of storing data, everything else occurs outside the block chain. The block chain is merely used to store data (e.g., outcome of abstract idea performed). While there are advantages to store data on a block chain, these advantages (e.g., trust, immutability, verification) are just the outcome of the putting data on a block chain, as well as being inherent to using block chain to store data. See MPEP 2106.05(f) (1) and (2).
Examiner recommends involving block chain in a more active and detailed manner to demonstrate this alleged advantage beyond merely generally linking the abstract idea on a computer or merely implementing the abstract idea on a generic computer.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-12, 15-19, 22-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because they recite an abstract idea without significantly more.
Using claim 1 as a representative example, the analysis is provided below.
Step 2A prong 1
Each of the independent claims, with the exception of block chain database, all the body of the claims are limitations examiner believes to recite an abstract idea. Generally, these limitations describes a series of rules to establish various interpersonal relationship among various entities. They would fall into certain method of organizing human activities. Therefore, each and every one of the independent claims recite an abstract idea.
Step 2A prong 2
As noted above, the only additional element in the independent claims is block chain database that is used to store data. This is merely generally linking the abstract idea to a particularly field of use, as well as merely using the word “apply-it” to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer. Whenever viewed individually or as an ordered combination, such additional element would not integrate the abstract idea into practical application.
Step 2B
As noted above in step 2A prong 2, of which the same analysis can still apply in step 2B, the additional elements, whether viewed individually or as an ordered combination, are merely generally linking the abstract idea into a particular field of use. This wouldn’t provide significantly more to an abstract idea either. Therefore, the independent claims are not eligible.
The dependent claims, as well as the other claim sets, merely further limit the abstract idea by providing more context or rules to be followed or can be analyzed similarly as above, therefore, they all still recite the same abstract idea and step 2A prong 2 and step 2B analysis would remain substantially the same. These claims are not eligible either.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-12, 15-19, 22-24 would be allowable if the above 112 and 101 rejection are overcome.
Best prior art Guo (US 20200396089) discloses using consensus to determine if digital certificate should be recorded. Guo, however, lack the pledging step as required by all the independent claims.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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GEORGE CHEN
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3628
/GEORGE CHEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3628