Most software patents are absurd, but I would say this is really positive news, because it means they are potentially positioning themselves to get involved in bitcoin, or to make an official single way to purchase bitcoins with Paypal without relying on a third party, which is riddled with problems.
Companies like Paypal are forced to play this absurd patent war game to protect their corporate asses, it's an unfortunate circumstance but it's the only way to level the playing field and protect against unscrupulous patent trolls.
Wow, the U.S. patent system is completely dysfunctional up if that patent is accepted. They are basically patenting the act of selling digital goods and currencies online.
It's already well-established that the U.S. patent system is completely dysfunctional. This is not unique to the U.S. though, patent laws in general around the world have been very slow to adapt to the reality of contemporary technology, and how best to be innovative, especially when it involves software. Where once it protected innovation, now it is actually stifling it!
