Appeal 2006-2855
Application 09/774,727
202), such security measures hardly foreclose providing additional consent-
based security measures as suggested by Coueignoux.
Based on the collective teachings of Lang and Coueignoux, we see no
reason why the skilled artisan would not have provided an additional
consent-based security measure in the automated reputation service of Lang
so that the user maintained at least some level of control in releasing any
requested reputation information pertaining to the user. See Coueignoux,
col. 18, ll. 50-60 (noting that the user ultimately maintains control over
which fact(s) are disclosed). Requiring user consent as a condition for
releasing reputation information in Lang’s system would, among other
things, reduce the chances of releasing inaccurate or incorrect reputation
information. In our view, such a consent-based safeguard in conjunction
with the other security measures in Lang would only enhance the validity
and reliability of the reputation information – a stated objective of Lang.
See Lang, ¶ 0023 (noting that safeguards may be provided for ensuring that
the information upon which a reputation is based is valid and reliable). For
at least these reasons, we find ample motivation on this record for the skilled
artisan to combine the teachings of Coueignoux with Lang.4
For at least these reasons, we will sustain the Examiner’s rejection of
independent claims 1, 9, and 15. Since Appellant has not separately argued
4 Should additional prosecution follow this opinion, the Examiner should
also consider credit bureaus’ sharing of consumer credit information to
various entities upon user consent given the broad scope of the independent
claims. In this regard, a consumer’s credit rating would fully meet
“reputation information” as claimed. See, e.g., 15 U.S.C.
§ 1681b(b)(2)(B)(ii) (2006) (requiring a consumer’s consent “orally, in
writing, or electronically” prior to a prospective employer procuring a
consumer’s credit report) (emphasis added).
7
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