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Local.com Gets New Patent

Irvine-based Local.com, which operates a network of local business search sites, disclosed this morning that it has gained a U.S. patent. The firm said that it was awarded patent 7,596,218 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on September 29th, covering a system for maintaining a dynamic index for a telephone directory assistance system. The firm said the phone is applicable to smart phones, and covers an "important monetization opportunity" in the market. The patent names William A. Montemer as inventor, and was filed by the firm on May 30 of 2003. Local.com was represented by Van Pelt, Yi & James LLP in the patent application.