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These cases are very important though because they give us the best glimpse yet into understanding the disclosure requirements for software patents that utilize means-plus-function claim language. Understanding this particular aspect of patent drafting may be crucial moving forward given that some believe that means-plus-function claiming may be one way to get at least some patent claim coverage in the wake of Alice. Therefore, given that the extraordinarily strict disclosure requirements mandated by employing means-plus-function claiming, this technique may well be the future for software patents. Certainly adhering to the extreme disclosure requirements in the Algorithm cases will be a best practice moving forward even if you do not employ means-plus-function claiming, and it will likely remain a best practice until some statutory or common law relief from Alice is achieved.

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