The quality of these systems, in terms of the value of the information, experience, or product is substantially defined by the functional design of the client and server software. For the Internet company, whose product is intangible, available for use worldwide, patent protection for the functionality itself becomes critical. Protecting Functionality Patent rights are generally allow the patent holder to prevent others from making, using, and selling a patented invention in the country granting the patent. For hardware technology, territorial patent protection is sufficient, since the infringing hardware is physically present in the country where the patent is granted. Internet technologies are different from hardware technologies.
Client programs are software that executes only a user's machine.
A particular client is not required, as the server can be accessed by any browser. Client-server systems include both components, with a specific client program used to access the server. In these systems, the functionality, and hence value, of the system is provided by both components. Java, Shockwave and other technologies that send executable applets from the server to a compatible application may be characterized in this last category of client-server systems, since execution of the applets effectively makes the application a dedicated client. Since the trend in Internet applications is toward increased interactivity through Java or similar technologies, client-server systems present the greatest need for patent protection.