"In a world of constantly accelerating technological change, economic prosperity depends on innovation. To support such innovation, it is vital that our patent system be well-calibrated, so that overly broad patent monopolies do not choke innovation. In the last several years, patent standards have been relaxed by the courts, which has created a patent system that hinders innovation in the software industry. The Supreme Court now is considering a case, Bilski v. Kappos, that may address this critical problem."
Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/178809.html