Zillow-trulia patent case stayed

A federal court judge has stayed a patent case from Zillow against Trulia, reports Aim Group.

The case has continued since September last year, when Zillow challenged Trulia’s use of real estate price estimates on its site. Zillow argued that its “Zestimates” system of valuing properties was patented, while Trulia responded with the argument that real estate valuation is an idea that cannot be patented.

A ruling announced on Monday 7th October 2013 from Judge James L. Robert of Washington’s Western District federal court said that the case will be stayed pending a decision from the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The office’s appeals board has now been asked to consider Trulia’s case that valuation is a “covered business method” and therefore cannot be patented.