Patent law RODUCTION Bots are granted for new, non-obvious inventions that have an industrial application. A patent Es cery desirable form of intellectual property because it gives to the owner # monopoly in his ccation, enabling him to exploit the invention for a number of years to the exclusion of all Boers (cubject to provisions designed to prevent abuse of the monopoly granted), Patent law has Thong history and has developed as a means of protecting innovation, which has a benefit to Soeovaior and public alike. Inventors aze encouraged to invent and investors are more likely to [Bx money in the development of new inventions if monopoly right i available for inventions. Kecity reaps a benefit because the invention will eventually fll into the public domain and Because, in the meantime, commercial enterprise is stimulated. The availablity of patents for software inventions has been, and continues to be a subject of [onc controversy. A particular problem is that under the European Patent Convention (‘EPC’), SGevhich the UK and another 30 countries are party to, computer programs, as sch, are excluded Kom the meaning of ‘inventior’, Also excluded ate schemes, rules or methods of performing Fetal acs, playing games or doing business. Again the exception applies only to the extent that SS patent application related to the thing as such. This does not prevent the patenting of sof- Soc inventions altogether and many such inventions have been patented in Europe. But patent Be in Enrope, as it presently stands, can only be described as confused. This is made worse by Be fact that patent law in some other countries, notably the US, carries no equivalent exclusion Ee-computer programs and business methods and patents for inventions in those fields are freely SGented provided thatthe other requirements fora patent (novelty inventive step and industrial Replication) are present. Tewas hoped that the position zegarding the patentability of software inventions would be sig ecanily improved in Europe following 2 proposed Directive.’ However, that proposal was Sonal defeated by the European Parliament on 6 July 2005 and there seems little chance that it te reaurrected. After looking at patent law generally, this chapter then focuses om the Ssiablity of computer programs and other forms of software inventions, such as computer 1ented business methods. Se foc isc ofthe Baropea Parament and of the Counc onthe patenabity of computer Implemented Bers Commision tothe European Communities Brussel 20.02.2002, COM(2002 9 ial. 2002/0047 (COD) Be peopores Dicctve onthe patntabiny f compote plemented invention’).Juouruo> ose st a] -paysies aze syuswornbex ayy ype eIp ansu> o} YoRUIUEND Pu ozs Was Sains 03 polqns 218 suonesy ide auared rexp suo] os ayes WeD It woseDs 9yp aAaMo} “paruEss Agony s1 aed e axoyoq wotieoudde yernur Woy s1eak yexon3s ayer ueD ¥ se ABOJoUypDs ButoKE Sse} #0} payynsun 99 2 stz205 S14 put ssaooud Aus] w soyoauy Aypensn ywared e HarUTELGO gunaaa0ud sx Sury>2,0nd jo des snseas Sao ou 9 det yuayed e BuyyEngD se> Wor Uy UOHUANHE 3 JO sou soxcyd jo raquimu afr x7 40 deprouroo poxyseu 9q 01 270 woviuaau 2490} apes opr jAetnades pos doy 2 lout uonuanu ap Soxowou ‘956 Aurea uy syoIspooj ue Srutip desu Auput i pasa sossinoxd pu sodas ay) axe ypeoidde sy Jo ssouonnDay a4 30 Goqdurex uuewop >gqnd ayy orate Apenyuan snr ona gp ey) Wouumbos Ou 52:94) Due Surg vo ae sco skp ‘2Uapyton jo ey ag uo Apu pu 12129 Pape axp day or Aus Srgeiajad oq eu u Soouetsuinon aez0s ui 3u2}ed24p Jo adonsaznny a ypu Se wuEZOS punine s| suiep pue wonrsyizods wored aqp Jo Buryeap 2xp asneD9q ajqessep a4e HR hoed eo stars ayy pue soooad dapat pur afsadx9 ‘xojditoo ws. auared © BurTe1GO capan ao} ores Sunsenuo> ey Aptosord aye aso, "eA9U9D ur pase “UORTESIIERIO fuodong temooqpnuy pom ayp Aq porrurcipe s: yor Sas, uones9d005 wared 2 synos soyjouy “suored[euoweu jo 2jpung e uleg ot ays stax oneatade Sve Sumsesiuon oq) Jo [fe 10 aos Fuleudisap (,Qda,) MUJO Worea weodosng ay) fide oj yqpsod s) 1 Soo4go awored [euoReH TenpEAIpUT Be sued 30} Budde cHoyy uedy dys oxyuaau uo poajoasy pu ou sen TORaNUT fQ sOUPYP SUNUTULDINp UE pOIOUE 3 qu sana Zuquoussyy “rep AuoLd ayy se uso st YG) payy Sem uoneanade uy ag ep vip sasuersuinou> 9p 30 18 9 ut poBpal2q fs sUoHT>ydleywonbosqns xox pue WoRED made way yo Auoud oy Sune syauows 71 Hau aq) UHI SOoujo ed 49410 apes sq wonwaaty aus 9 0) usted 20; suede yp of sajdde Azoud Jo wnsis st94 oe ny 99 uns 304 op sited wou pus yuored a 30 ay a nouuongy Jadoo AjpasosBoxd uud59q 355 esouen ay, (aie Aprond ap) paqy say st woneoye agp mEp a wy 824 0Z 30 Manus oy dn siyenuue pass 2 deus pare Aen seaG sn 10 pares 2q po uated © snyssrons 5] Uonoxidde 931-2950 otea Yi 38 Pay st Have 71 €30j woneay de UY “ssooad jenisnput ue sjononsoyndaues» uy uns toy pqs terol sind eso wrstsBusso00ud eu ep shnuaauy pun anu 9 s@ ypns ‘jqeiuored 2q Ae suon)uaAuYazenyos xzo pu sutesfoud sind ston oulos orang aa|duso> tow nq es9u99 voy alga sovodnd uated soy days aun fu ot 2th #1 uans povod ynox paruud » uo sinouodiuos jo mole] MOU v zot0ud Ae BLL G3iop oun oydurea soy “uonsa.oud waved 30) sprepwerssnosoR ayy 199u 2 es eH SAUD Oy uonosoud ani yr 30 uonootosd waned tpi feed ur uns dew asa, AAD 10 8 Mbiop se yore o;geeae 3 deus woretond yo sti05 spo ‘soumautos “swayed o1 Dolgns W224 IE sed naa poveatanar op puv zosssaen ap “preoq rou para am yo woruanuy ayy '9\dUNex9 Joy stetnteta suonoap Jauno pur azenpury zoindwioo so) suonedde yored duu wo99 296 Sioa, nou poyesioyuy Bupyeur 30 ssooord au 20 ipod af8s0) anual pue Hau ESE Goo dzenpuey synduos jo atd mou 0 tee plno> Uonuaaut aqewuaied y mou Husspowos Sonjeu yo dem po ue so plo Surgouos Suny yo.hew mou Ps] uot ue tp prs wg Sey 1 Bor onuaeu sovond e pue uonvanutoapox!¥— uonuasu ]geiuoed o sd} ow) a 0H SNOLLVUAGISNOD IISVE suojesopisuos a1seg,Procedure eamendments to be made during the process. These may be the result of what has been found 2 result of the initial search or because of objections raised by the examiners at the Patent [Difice. It is important that inventions which fail t meet the requirements for patentability are {Sot granted patents, although itis not unusual for patents to be revoked later, usually as a result {SF 2 challenge to validity raised in infringement proceedings. Simply put, the procedure for obtaining a patent in the UK is as follows: ‘The application is filed together with a specification describing the invention, an abstract (the fitl for the invention and concise summary) and the claims (defining the scope of the mon- ‘poly claimed). Drawings will usually be included in the specification, The Patent Office will carry out a search for patents and other documents which may be rel- evant to the invention. Typicaly, this will ind previous patents in the same field which might have a bearing on the patentability of the invention. It is common for the application to be ‘amended following the search, Eighteen months following the first filing ofthe patent it is published. This is referred to as‘ publication, ‘The Patent Office examiners then carry out an extensive examination of the patent application fo check for conformity with the requirements of the Patents Act 1977. Again, some amen sments may be necessary at this stage, though it should be noted that the monopoly claimed ‘cannot be widened File application Patent Office search 18 months and report issued Not exceeding 'K publication AN) years Full examination Grant and 8 publication Figure 9.1 Patent procedure (simplified) 137 gz 2somdsip Syne 01 day qua sya eya podoy sa ‘das aguaauy pue Ajoaou jo suouisunbor ay poyses “ay puE yusyed v yo uowaEUU;U! ay} oy sv suotUldo BuIpulg-UoU onss ueD soH}duoo a4 S(y002 WY sated ayy 4q parsasul ypu Uou>es Japun go0¢ 9qo190 1 souls iakoydutaa4p On 9 stag Supueysino jos ypiqas zou sy 0} usfuojaq uonuaau ue 405 uonesuaduion popreme 24 p]nous soyuDAuT 29409 ue JoYRaqon 40 JoyaLdoud andi aq 2q pImoys OM FumuMAADIap se ons ‘sioew Joqno 480y 0 pur Sunn axe snsed aya yt sozndspqwared ures9> seay 0: uoRDND Been sey ony (=peyy apesy pu suisag ‘sjuaeg Jo feau=p-roponNduioD aap 21 tw) 21.00) =diuo> 2111 “uopuioy ut yn) uno? su>}eq 24) pus $94 sunp290Id uoneNS!¥ Se Y>AS SEP {gu uyeap suonejndau pur sae jo aquunu v aye 294) "261 BY susie 9 OF LORNPPE Uy ">10) uy ps ale suoppanip Aasno2s 194i 10 3p 94) Us Wonuaauy ses axp yo 1oods9s Uy uoReDydde ue Buy a10jaq sj9aM x8 WENA $59] 40 atf apIsino uone>ydde we ayy ox aps NA, P Jo} 25uaYOIeUILULD eaq UeD 1 SIDUEIS Saunoup pazeutisap ut ogy uy arouse Susie 220} uy uJ waded NA a 18 HOHE Bred 21g 0 >in 2¢p ut wapsas uosiad w 40 37. aun ut poseq Aueduses soy yeuts0u $1 "uopoe yuDWaTULUY Ue OF Souzjep 22[duo> & sopyaord vey: ‘sioadsou ueaoas uy plea tou 30 pypes you s} wayed ayy 4p snoiys e924 jt [8 soye iepyea yo sonst ater THM aFOpUIA}IP e TaAanoY “eULON “PsBUOme4p fou 8) u2ied [euoneu y>ed so aipyea agp ssaqun soiuna> asoip jo Yoe2 Ur sBuypesd0xd aotout Suio2 0} 1g wondo ou aaey fun sjuajed 24) Jo 49UN0 a4 (soHUEdwOD AreISqNS pu AureduI09 Gusied w jo 2s0> 24 ul 40 souedulon jo dnoi® v se ypns) soqpo ypeo o} poyuN] AEXWoU Son a1e you) swuepuayap Aq soutun0> wis uauInze jo ayes ax 403 uy paBuUy Bulog axe doy Due ton vanus sues sxp Butax09 siuored feuontew jo Joquinu e sumo Aueduroo e dusex9 10 Bese 24) 2024 0} uosoxpsan{ aney passa si juayed ayp atoqn Axzunoo 2yp ut s}uno> oxp quo Spouoy[ou> st yuoied aqp jo dnpyqea ayn woneSny ued ut Je-¥eus s| woroxpszan{ jo 2fnr 350q Sy sotniunon jo saqunu e ssone uontanuy aus 4p 109 s\usqed jeuowew wyearnbo Bursoyua Be sonjrouyp 24) Jo ouios yuoioud pjao> 4 out anoynosty 240) ur uated 2B e yo Age Bese ayy se Aud wou vy sya szadsax uous uj -woRsny 0} aus0> 19 rou set NS INq 5096 Bis Ut preog Suysesp ayy wo wsiy sem uiaiks sug “Og ayy ynoynonyy eyo 2484 I DIY Gyusred 2pys-Kjunwwery © 205 apraoid [yas 9010} oju S2w0> z049 1 3 Hoty LONUAUOD Based Guumuwey oy ssistulwupe jo yBnoyyje worse Og We 200 st Odd 2UL -fugyqeiuoied uo suossyod aya ipueriodus, pap 224, a ay) Jo suostaaad oye Saunbo ay se 124 ours oi say ‘ae oy pate axe /Z61 PPV SiUDIed 249 J0 stStA02d 2p JO Bios s}adsax yuessax ur pat ayy Gio 2 UE ae] suave 319 aq on possed sem 19V L261 HL Broz Hy swe 243 hq deads sowioy ap “woueayypou fenuersqns 0} Dolqns to9q 3Ne4 KOHL Be561 s2tex sued 24) pue Z61 oy suede 24) sf udjed BuNUi9A08 uonFest#oy EU ou, ‘wonuaaur aus 24) Jo s99ds02 Apuonbosqns aloywosya ape Bie suoneodde yr ayep Aysouad sy sauso2aq paqy iy 1 wondered aqp uous ep 24. uoty, Sac yey) s0ye no powse> yuousSunjuy dure Jo odsou ut soup or papnu aq Em 34 “poiuess uoyed oun req) sui) ogy run auared aya jo quowoButyus 20) sPuypsaroid peo] Bug youue> nowy “woneayiqnd ¥y, 30 ap a 01 ant2y9 ypeq sap AjodouoUt saoyouUdoud ayy onjuasu! a1eayos 10} ayetadoxdde ag 0} Afoqun si yng suoHe>y{dde prenonyens 03 jqeuns dou aunpa2oad sx “uomenyqnd sayea pur uoweujwiexe pue qastas pautguio> esas Wed male ays Aqauayin aunparoid soypadls w pasayo sey amu iWared IN 24) “S66 >DUIS “PIP > a suajgosd ou souumsse pur poylyduusJpeas8 st] "16 ig MI uoys st aampoooud aL cwonea gad Jj, — ure paysrgnd aq pus. 1 pue (jam Bulag te) parsers oq oe woved a euta ¢ ainpa2oigBasic requirements Not all inventions are capable of supporting a patent. The Patents Act 1977 lays down several equirements which must be satisfied before a patent can be granted and, furthermore, certain things are specifically excluded from patentability. The basic requirements for the grant of @ patent will now be explained [Basic REQUIREMENTS. ‘The basic requirements for the grant ofa patent are stated in section 1(1) of the Patents Act 1977 4s Fallows: ‘A patent may be granted only for an invention in respect of which the following conditions are satisfied, that isto say: (2) the invention is news (b) it involves am inventive steps (0) itis capable of industrial applications (@) the grant ofa patent for it is not excluded by subsections (2) and (3) below. . ‘Section 1(2), referred to in (d) above, declares that certain things are not inventions ifthe appli ‘cation relates to that thing as such, Section 1(3) excludes from patentability inventions where the Commercial exploitation of them would be contrary to public policy or morality. WH invention ‘Phe word ‘invention’ is not defined in the Act but its meaning is really a matter of common sense Gand it can be used in a fairly wide sense. Is, in effect, circumscribed by the other requirements fend exclusions for patentability, Industrial application suggests that an invention is something, that can be put to practical use, for example. It has to be more than a mere idea. Furthermore, section 1(2) states that the following (amongst other things) are not inventions for the purposes of the Act (a) a discovery, scientific theory or mathematical method; (b) literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or any other aesthetic creation whatsoever; (6) scheme, rule or method for performing any mental act, playing a game or doing business, or a program for a computer; (a) the presentation of information; but the foregoing provision shall prevent anything from being treated as an invention forthe pur: poses ofthis Act only to the extent that a patent or application for a patent relates to that thing as such [emphasis added] “The exclusions in (a) would prevent Einstein patenting his lw of relativity, E = mc? and Newton Fic law of gravity In any case these would not be patentable because any claim to them, as such, woud be too vague. Patents are directed to industrial or commercial activity and laws and theories on their own do not relate to such activities. ‘Note thatthe above exclusions apply only tothe extent that a patent or application fora patent felates to that thing as such. This means thatthe presence of these particular things isnot neces (erly fatal o a patent application. For example, a new and inventive compater-controlled indus tral process being a means of operating a production line used in a manufacturing process Should be patentable providing the claims are not directed to the computer programs a8 such. Some are more controversial. For example, is a claim to computer-controlled means of pre- Senting information on a conventional display device a claim to a computer program as such, afoued y snoutous $4420 so1sdatp o 27s ap 2x24 suortuanuy atemyjos jo ode ut ase> on Aszoied 6 sul. mn sod 10 garou Azoindoniue aoe 01 Buda Uo popuinton a oy Fopoaas don os PausDuD AfoU su se pun Sous uo aq dew swayed jo soqumig’y "90 J0 1uep ut quayed a oy payidde sea suoted axp uayer nau you sem uesnuoas Sede ae eee ee et Awonbangns sy etoeus wep 31 parsaconp a9 tou fe oral oy, Sauaioawe ue uoneoged e veg god 511 pue 10% poysqnd jo smntan open HOM aais Su 2 ous 2 Jo 2s 49 Jo ued Apearye st put poitdtnue use sey won ur aq) J13n0 ug oie) dse9 wo 10st paopuy sou, dpinjosge s Yorum Bursiauios aenop 0 po upip Buy Sent S31 sor8 areop qed 29 uf spajsouy Jojo ay pur ssoueape fSoreee oe vuoyed 2p Jo Fumy pat Neooax uous uri zqse2 ou ssn Yoong Yons 14 JO 3) ap Suroriaap ut Porro a is 080051 1a) gryseun sIop pouygo soy a4 10 adtapyuce 40 y>eaiq, 1 Bupoe wosiad © 4q posopsp ave wontaaut agp yo speiop 3 sanawopy oBeis sm ye qweys0d 4254 2ouapyuo> 30 ae 4,24 24p pue siammPeynueUE[eUsIed sim uonvanee sry Buyssnosip Conta ser ere ouenMr aH Kees Hed Uo 4 aedonUR puE a Jo.aIe oypcy Donan oe tztaApe Pio 2 asyazouio axep Auoud ap) step Buy say op eon SOMuaLsHL30 seep asa ox aae Bua 24 von kay Tysa1 jus tycaaut yy 4218 anion 3>8| pur 40 Jo ye J0 Spunord qn uo Apert BeRuoqTP Py auepuajep a4 Jaye pyPAul patePap sem peogpes® acy queue ay) 0} panuesst dean uated © ein rays oxy yum angnd ayy 0 gereAB uotiuaauy ay apeue poy ‘spuzyaa red oral Sue 38 psn ay s>ugh preoques tao sy apeur pey ous hog po ook arpa a pi SB 8 Qa [set] PIT (a) auungy ange, sur puosousoy Super pny tr par ayrand amy 1 agepeae Kjppun spews usoq anny on ue soud mi 204 poou da 8 au, 9 i ee 2 8 Mon waa ofp aye 10 3s0m ‘aod oe sues aq) Ut pape sea Bee oe cor cughus usr gr S98 pus wonusay xn sosopsyp 331 Buea raspy Rinlgeu® te sujeuoo we roud op 3 poredionue st uotuaiur wy" oped oxy &q poyedioque st 34 Sed eae eat wo eq urou: yo] e 0Ud se poquosop tayo uP af joi oy Je Fra i Page Snows 28am yo aes ag ur popryou ogy ave srep Aiodsohies ney KOR Fe ee (ead 2x0 22y% pousand suoneagdde wusjed wt poureuoo szoney, cm souno ee Too nab 2P T4030 wanam 49 ‘xoyposo 10 x9 am i ayqnd amp 01 a\gefeae opers Far rae i oveas I saeaduo uowsoudho sry aap 30 ae, a Jo ued Ue) you eoop see Oana MF 1p Shes pue au, 0 Siqutous 241 wo spuedxo roy a Jo 7 uonvog gar) td 2 dq s:2004d a4) ancy suonestdosdaandoy0 puv stots ape pet 4 ay ud0q Be wed ® Joy Uoneoydde ayn axosaq ssaooud ayn paon dyaesanoU you pay kuru, 12y 94 3 Aide pron owes ay sanaid op an 01 unos ot pasos 99 fh pte Zot oy sia Fe 22 notes span duvdwnen yay ap 0) souszp,widods v1 axa nq sopond a 0) sted Fone ea te 28 Aout Aaedwo> puorss ayy “seo sey; uy oqnd aya 01 oqgepeae oye of ce Be a vend a okt 230 28m sAueduuo> yay ayy ssaqun MU OU 6 uoNuaaul amp tei, spunosd Sed nord ae, RoE 24s ss00rd 4p Jo) usm w 30) soydde pue ‘Ajenuopeuten dey G2! Seeud ures 2 som oq kueduton pucros w yua.ed e a0) Ade 03 pes ha ead re Artorgeed one bats ® 4g sunoue powes2onm Surge og sey Aveda 9 ayduexy 0g oa Sinotsard sow gouge ue eBoy 2yous pod wayed ap jo zu ay asissyno ‘urewop ayjqnd Sra brane sot Snows wou ious spy Sue 30 pone au plnogs vase AyI200N, ‘SuONUAALT areauyos Uo woR9sa¢f UL 39}e) Moraceae aus! 22K} 22P ISD ym 24 Hons se ssaNsN Butop Jo poqiou wos ule eLaerety Sbronesuuo uso ane» 04H 40 Yi0g Yons se woReMTOs JO woeiaeaid yo es syuowauinoas 3)seq ontBasic requirements isbeing sued for infringing a patent will try to find such material and, in the case of a chal- 10 a software patent, the enquiry is likely to go far beyond looking at prior patents and will other published material and software proxlucts put on the market prior to the first filing of the software patent Inventive step Section 3 of the Patents Act 1977 an invention involves an inventive step if it is not obvious to BB pescon skilled in the art. This test, known as the ‘notional skilled worker test takes account of BB complexity of technology, hence the reference to a skilled person rather than the ubiquitous mable person, so often used as a benchmark by judges. The reason is that a great many HBeeations would not be obvious to a layperson but would be to someone who knew something fhe technology involved. It has been accepted that the ‘skilled person’ may be a team of highly plified research workers such as a team of systems analysts, software development engineers $2 computer programmers. When it comes to applying the test, the skilled person is not [Sedowed with any inventive faculties himself, a somewhat artificial premise, but to hold other- ee would mean tha all inventions could be deemed to be obvious and not patentable, “Obyious’ has no special meaning but is judged by looking at the invention as a whole and Sonsidcring the entire state of the art. Whether the invention is obvious i a question of fact. In Be Windsurfing case discussed earlier in connection with novelty, Lord Justice Oliver suggested She following four-stage test for determining whether an invention is obvious, Identify the inventive concept embodied in the patent. The court then assumes the mantle of the normally skilled but unimaginative person in the artat the priority date of the patent and imputes to him what was, at that date, common gen- cral knowledge in the art. Mentify what, if any, differences exist between that knowledge and the patented invention. Consider whether, without knowledge of the invention, those differences constitute steps which would have been obvious to the person skilled in the art or whether they require any degree of invention ‘When considering whether an invention contains an inventive step, the danger of using hindsight ust be avoided. It is 0 easy fr expert witnesses and, sometimes, the judge, to fall ino that trap What might scem obvious now with the benefit of hindsight might not have seemed obvious at the time the application forthe patent was filed. Step 2 ofthe Windsurfing test guards agains! this danger by reminding the judge to put himself inthe position ofthe skilled person atthe priority date of the patent. Commercial success isa factor which can be taken into account in determining obviousness hough its not conclusive. In Technograph Printed Circuits Ltd v Mills & Rockley (Electronic) xd [1963] RPC 395, a case involving a patent for a method of making printed cieuits, Harman Js: ‘twas objected that infact it was not until ten years after the invention was published that it was commercially adopted ...and it was argued from this that it was nota cas of filling along felt ‘want. Ido not accept this argument. In the years immediately following the war, manufacturers «ould sll ll the machines they wanted using the old point-to-point wiring and had no need to trouble themselves with anything beter. ‘Computer technology spreads into all kinds of other technologies and this may lead to patentable inventions and, even though the computer technology used itself is not nev, the application ofsionpord sornpuo2tuios jo Aydeaode) atp siaajaud ys ay8t4 uBis9p pasoysiSorun ae Jo uoneres e dq parsoiord ag deta diep sopnpuooruos v ul AM>z19 axp Jo inode] pectsdgd 244 YSU UEIs9p 24} wos} popn>x> axe UornNIsKeD Jo s9[diouLAd 20 sporpayy EBL UBisop oyp Aq 40 ynoge] 24) Hune=ipus apeus w99q ane Y>:\s sRuyaesp Aue YSnodty WyBt4Adod hq poysdI034 94 eur puvog yyn>¥p parutid v yo uoneindyuo> axp pur squuodwio> jo moxe] ayy YaAaMo}] stuDTed aque oq 0} sjaysun are asoip spreoq win2u19 parutsd Jj uorresnSyuo> mau e 0 sind & UL squsueduio9 ay 105 1n0%e] Jo uLLoy mou F sdojatap auoauios jr‘s20}2:044, (3 £61 24) 01 04d uone>ydde jexnsmpus, Jo peaisur posn aseuyd ay) amyseqnuews yo s9uNERL, F ayNsUOD OU yn0> siya sean pray sea 1] -Sajqe> Ao1199) pute sodid roe pus aBessMos ‘eH ain yo anode] ayp ‘st ip saye}s9 Sulsnoy Jo} sowraqps uonnqunsip 2o1az9s punosLuapun 40; we[d paaorclu ue patia> o> 28e9 SIL “297 Det [6961] uonvanddy ss2qepy 49, paploid st >[dusex9 a0 nq “ues ase luonesylde jeunsnput ue axey jou ssop uonuast 9q7 YeUA spUReL8 axp Ho TesH9s Jo Sojdrexy ssspoud [eisnput Jo Mos auu0s oF sareyer at wip 10 p2onpord aq wed YoY AUILpoUts 2q pnoYs LOUDAUT ayp IeMR sonnbar ypuyse ne] uated yo aumyeu jeon>eid ayn sMoys UoKeaydde [eLASNpLT 10) pasu 4, sysop 40 wounon gons £uv ut pas 9g 01 soup jo Supuoned ap auasoud sou sop sy) yBnoe UO =iide yetnsnpur jo ajqede> rou s Apoq eure 10 uewany 2xp uo pastoesd ssouSep 30 pore 40 Adesayy 10 A:a8sns 4q Apoq feurue 30 uewny au 30 WouneaN yo pow e sssano4, omyroute Supnpur asmpur Jo pury Ave ap posn 20 apeus Bug Jo aygede> 29 YSnul uot aA agp GH snes oR ZZ6T IY SDI my Jo p WOLDS Aq pouysp Apu sg] Inq HORNED =yldejynsnpur ue 2ney sna ton oat op eyh aed wo ye an 30} wawounboxsoxpoUy uoneayidde je11ysnpuy “up zoud yo sooaid oyesedos omy 2utquuo 0} axuaaut 2q am deus 3 's9se> 210s Uy ‘ourES a4p SUIBUIAY “ze up po|[ys Uosiad v 03 stiorsgo $1 von taaur a4 Joyays ZuIDq 9s9) LaoAyeAS ay “oREDO|TOD 50 so] avesedas ou st az9ip eq pewuayuod Aassuung 2onsn{ ayy “Sjsp puey JsyndUIoa wio4y Suypeat ppue 0 Sunc1m uy uowwo> sioss9 prey Buy wosia40 puL Jo) Surrestiodurod 20j woys4s v soy sated Suraqoaut 2529 v (YD) 9ZZ1 OHM [007] PIT swaKS IMA HEN A did ssInduioe aBvs01g tur ‘s2xomopy “days aanuanut UP se apres 3q Aipsess990U tou fm “AtOneDOq|OD SHOU v se sae auared Aq paguosep ‘soyiaoy way Buppus pur SuonUaaui J9pjo omy Sunye) APM pur dow nghiraaur jua.ouyns e 2q wSNuU 2194) eK Y9ADHOH] “19> 14] “9pHA Ise PUE Prey UOP Ae] 09 11N> ip S111 yBnowpre ssousno1Ago 0) sowo> a way aza4yMaLos aur] e MEP O1 aney s}Ino> ayy ‘ssousnioingo Jo Suupuy e Jo 4aynqyssod aip poquop uonuaaut wasoed ayp Jo ssazons JepPuros ge:paurut 24p yp pojdnos uonnjos v puy o} suor.aaur Aq siduronye myssazonsun Aaeur 219 se prea 2g 01 pay sem uated aya pure paisa(a1 sem iuawnAe sty, “f9UPD|) wWnnoRA jo afessed oy Aq 2004 e woy paxouias aq ueD snp Ie sMOUY ,xEsK9sNOY IUOIDdUOD {19A9, 2818299 snoIago ses sip yey) pandue seat] YOY sIp oF wousle SurGower “oq feonIaN Huo © B01 paqpene per yp pur sourypeU apnx>s ayp UsasKIDg YLIO} pu Eq ParoUT PE 1912] Ginnoea peayiaao Ue sem Jo paystsuo> uoUaAut ayt [fe eR uassy -paystom AyfeN|De ‘UoRUSALT Besord otp ayyun ‘wxp jo vou nq uoynjos AzopRysHes & puy o} sdurone |nysse>9nsuN AurEML ey a:2{1, "oULKDeEL aINX J0 sMoI U9BWj2q SHOOY BuIUEDP Jo POU e stm UORUAALL BR 20F D.nx [9961] PIT suos 9 uonUOYL M4 9 8.05 JoMnID-sy2ng wf “2pIne [RY>sH e st LORLUDALE Be Jo ss200ns pe!srouw0> ayy “uIeBY IL Y>ed oF sxdurOHE AuPLA paper sey HOHINIOS © pure WHO} oid rofew v u2>q sey 1041 sno1ago 2¢ yOu KUT SY UDHed e Jo ZONeLE Halqns sadoud oy) Bee toy) wra}qoud re}nonzed v oy AFojouy>a1 uMOLEY-|[am Jo uorenydde 241 TuaAsud oy SuNpLOU ret) a]d:>utid uy “mou aq Aeur wqqard peop vO} UoRN|OS e aplaasd 0} ABoFOUNDAL ax stuauasinbos 2809Entitlement TITLEMENT basic rule is that the inventor is entitled to the grant of a patent (or as the case may be, the mt inventors) under section 7 of the Act. The owner of a patent is known as its proprietor. This Keabject to others who are entitled, for example, by virtue of an enforceable term in an agree ent entered into by the inventor before the invention was made. Section 39 contains special Sons to deal with the situation where the inventor is an employee. In such a case, if the Preation was made in the course of his normal duties or duties specifically assigned to him and IE circumstances are such that the invention would be reasonably expected to result from the Performance of those duties, the employer i entitled tothe patent. Also, if the employee is under Especial obligation to Farther the interests of his emptoyers undertaking because of the respon- GBilities arising out of his normal duties, the employer is entitled to the patent. ‘What we can say about these provisions is that there is a presumption that the inventor is Exttled to the grant of a patent for his invention. He may have agreed beforehand that someone [Gee is entitled, for example, ina case where, as a self-employed person, he has been working for Eclient to seek. a solution to a particular problem and the contract contains an appropriate term Seto entitlement of any inventions that may result from his work. In terms of employee inven: [bs the following points are important Either: {the invention must result from the employee's normal duties or specially assigned duties, in dother words he is ‘paid to invent’; and |) the invention must be one which could reasonably be expected to result from the employee's performance of such duties, o |) the employee must have particular responsibilities arising from his normal duties imposing 4 special obligation to farther his employer's undertaking (for example, in the case of a man- aging director of a company); and |) the invention was made in the course of those duties. he fact that an employee's contract of employment may encourage him to carry out research (cather then require him to do so) is likely to mean that the employee will be entitled to be Geoted the patent in any invention which results from him carrying out research. Also, a senior tive, who is not paid to invent, and who is working his redundancy notice, is unlikely to 4 special obligation to further his employer's undertaking. Employee compensation {Sat many inventions come from the work of employees and it could be said that the salary by the employee is his reward for making the invention. In some cases, the employee may ven a bonus or some ex gratia payment asa result of making the invention. This may seem [Pesimonious if the invention turns out to be very significant. Where an employee invention Ferns out to be of outstanding benefit to his employer then, under section 40 of the Patents Act B77, compensation may be payable to the employee. Outstanding benefit is gauged in relation Ge the size and nature of the employer's undertaking. Section 40 was modified as from 1 January 005 swith the intention that it should be easier for employees to obtain compensation. ‘Compensation may also be payable if an employee has made an invention to which he wasReosiodoxqeuoseat« 0 snonqo oq pypom 340 ‘SMOU ay s9001d a 404 usted a1 poBuLyI Seu > used axa jo mouy or Be p20%9 24 204 pypo> 16 mous JOU pp ay 4 UoRd sda Londo? a4 205 weed Bip PoBUIA 5ey (284 9pe4p Uosiad ayqeuoseos e pinom— uotzedkul sand Jo} aeyene a Boneoypods yonry) "si Uosid ajqeuoseas aun yo seq 24a uo aBpaynowy mms Pay 24 pnom 34 $58 Ae w0U ag pnow 3 a6peyrou jem>e ou pey g JUAN “ss92040 aif 40) Wajed Btn PHU ey ‘Paiuaied sey ssopo1d ayr eu “uous aygeuaseas e 01 snowgo 9q pynom 31 10 ‘OU 9 Jt‘ 1 uontsod a4 voyd ts 2pen e 14.0 wan sues pue sp synduios aus soyeu vata ss22014 94901 eRUDSSO 5 Y>HIM Beetcinbe Gdkns 0 9 se g “sd Jayndwo> asouy Bupew 30} s920%d seus © pang 01 Sopap puE BSSp0rd 241 rnoge 10 spuy a “seup a4 10) pue saboud aun 0) quoted ano uaye se 9} sp aso) Bape 10} psn ag jum uot sso>04d mou e pawuanu ose Seu ¥ pu ‘Sdiy> Ue oud ym paseduio> Ber 2rcu2n pue auos2yp eu som yon “hyp soinduoo yo adh, mou e poiuanu sey y ZO1U0AU UY Uuorjenyis Suimoifos 249 JaprsuoD uDWIABULssU Jo afdusex> [eonveid e aatB oy, sosodind Feesuu0>-vow 20} pue Ayeayad soyndwo> ayy sasn pur so[quicsse 2y j1‘taxamoy Sue] juayed Boum apqert 2q 10U tun soindusos wy ayp Buyjquissse uosiad a4 a4 ® se pyos 2g 01 AxyunN0> BBe10} © ur apeu susuodwios syroduy uosiod v s19y se yans aw] yuored ur apoydoot apqis Fede syrasond sx 28pojouy ayssinbax oy sey ay se Buoy se Azwypousspyuy ae aso st 24 JL 949 Heed amp soSurytr ay seindwo> axp yo soyddns aqp uovp uayed w sa8uuyur ‘poyqurasse woys Bey: w110j 394 wt sa1ndluro>e sayddns wosiod v yt 9|dusex9 104 “wHi04 1 UI sionpaad éyddns Oy Boosted 04 soydale 9 se yryosn st uoununyur suraus ayp Susdjddns, sy. spuarut os wostod rep Be 027) 101 vonuaxur aun Surnd 104 a}qenzns axe suEaKL aso eH ‘OsIDd 3jqeUOSeA v O} 310 igo 1120 smoury SurAcdns uossod a4} yey) ws paxmnbau st a8pojMouN ‘Daye oquE HoRUaAME 3M gine 10) wonuaur af jo jowDpe eNUEssD UP Oo; SuNE|Ps“suLDUE ay Jo Au HN UOstad J9410 Bos Ajcdns 0} s12y0 10 sonidns uosiad v 31 paBurjuy ospe sf uaied & *(z)o9 votes spun puns st uawaBuryus so} Sqr ‘SoURJ9p v Jo 20u29qe a4p Ut S20}>x9q) ‘PUP Bapoid e spivai se a%pojsouy 10} yuauoutnbox ou 5} aay, “posuLU 3uyaq sem aored e Ley Bsiod 21qeuoseat e 01 snotago 2g pynow 3 Js fpajsoun, ausinbox ayp aaey on Pawa9p 2q IES Ue pied e pue dem jerzads e ur posn st afipaywouy, ‘anaMoy|“pasinbou st paBuezyar Sutaq st juoyed feu) 28p2ou ss200ud v 104 -198uuyUt aKp Jo 38po]MoUy axp 01 soxepex s9ssea0rd pue sionposd oq souaIDyIp 19MOUY ~ss>>0Id eH WON APOALIp paureigo 1oMpord AUE 22 4o Sursocsp ursn Aq patursjur 2q dew ss2001d pantared amp “Aqjeuonsppe ‘ing s3Bujuy ssaooud oyp Sussn Eelwex. 10) sser0id e 0) 4ydde suosisoid sejtug “nposd 24) Sudooy 10 Sunodust uisn B 2sodsip 01 Sutz2y0 10 yo Buwsodssp Supyeus Aq paSuyyut s1 wayed axp Sonposd e st wonuanL noup peresSouy Tupjeur Jo popats mau w a[duiexs 103) sav0sd v 40 (s9}ud soynduu09 S44) wou e ‘ajdurexa 103) jonpoad e sf uomuaAut o4p Joyo Uo spuodap MowaBALIUT 941 Jo ‘OP 1B PuE SSOP IEKs SSUYDP LZ6 IW sWaTea amp uated 94p Jo (s2us0) roraqidoad 943 jo worssratzad axp inoEM wOPRUE patiA aall 249 ©} woNepPE ur SBuMMN UIeYaD Jo DUO Sop uossod v Jt POULLL st JUaIed Y ANAWS9NIS4NI sadopduia ayp 01 Buynud2e Be2q 241 ny pasedui ayenbapeu syosa ese powrengo seq ay 394g ay Pu (99U201 aK He ue roXojduua s1y poques® so) sasojduro siq 04 1 pousisse Ajtuenbosqns seq ay nq papnus wousouniuyInfringement thatthe equipment he supplied was suitable for putting the process into effect and the equipment was Intended to do so D infringes the patent for the computer chips, regardless of knowledge. The fect that some infringements do not require any form of knowledge may seem unduly harsh, but knowledge is required for some of the remedies and the situation is not as inequitable as it might appear, bearing in mind the need to protect the patent 1 Variants and the ‘Protocol questions’ A person may make something or use a process which is similar to a patented product or process But there may be some differences compared with the invention itself. The second is a variant of the first. The question then is whether the variant second infringes the patent. Does it fall within the penumbra of protection afforded by the patent? To determine whether there has been an Infringement, the claims, interpreted in accordance with the specification and any drawings, Bust be examined to determine the scope and limits ofthe invention as protected by the patent, Although judges tend to interpret Acts of Parliament and legal documents literally (unless this Eads to an absurd result), patent specifications are interpreted purposively, that is, inline with the presumed intention of the person who wrote it. In Catnic Components Led v Hill é Smith Lid [1982] RPC 183, the claimant obtained a BPatent for a load-bearing lintel, the main strength of which came from a vertical metal rear ice. The specification and claims in the patent referred to the rear face as being vertical. Claim E described the rear face as ‘.. a second rigid support member extending vertically from or fom near the rear edge of the first horizontal plate .. The defendant made a similar lintel Bat with 2 rear face inclined at six degrees from the vertical. The House of Lords adopted a [Et which has since been refined into a three-stage test which can be briefly summarised as follows: B ifthe variant does not have a material effect on how the invention works; and @ this would have been obvious to a skied person at the time of publication ofthe specifica fon; and © the skilled person would understand that the proprietor of the patent did not intend to limit Bis invention to the strict wording of the claim; Wen the variant infringes the patent Etictively the House of Lords interpreted the relevant claim by taking the word ‘vertical to [Sa in effect, ‘vertical or nearly vertical? and held that the patent had been inftinged. The HBportant feature was the metal rear face, the purpose of which was to support the load. The SE tndant’s slightly sloping rear face had a minimal impact on the load-bearing qualities of the bel Ths approach isin line with both common sense and prevents others from flouting patent Bee by making minor changes to details of an invention while retaining the underiying princi- E> involved, and is justified on the basis that patent specifications and claims are directed to Sbnical people, not lawyers. It also shows the different scope of patent law compared with co it Jaw, because patent law can protect purpose and the embodiment of a principle whereas, hy copyright law cannot. The so-called Catnic test survived an attack upon its validity ig 1995 when it was claimed by one judge to be inappropriate under the 1977 Act, Camic #za.case under the Patents Act 1949, and that the provision in the EPC should be used instead an approach to interpretation of patent claims is based on a middle way between a strict ‘meaning and using the claims as @ guideline onlyscorns pnpoud #3 2]gepeae ax yond yo stunooze Jou sew JouyeU uotp powers tuned ap sein Bupoddns so} spunos® aygedosral ou poy PUP areaE 1oU sem 2y 1 #24018 EPL A saxnewsvye ae sig Jo sunoaoe pus saBeurecr wepesjp =x ka pABusut Puy Pee Bnd an we uowese>ap ® pur sygord jo yunoa2e ue 20 sofeurep ‘soprize BuysuyFHE JO won sop 10 dn Azonypp suorounfuy are qusyed v yo wasup 209 aggeeas SxPownS A er ayoparjdiuos aptaoed [sey ized auesofx e ut 40 Ajo4y PyPA 24 O Pan) $111 used ng jo days aq pene js. uaved yo iwausaSuemu 20} pans uosred e}O Paxowss Gung waved ayp ut yoso! ur> WoRastt ay) Susopep doneyyand soud + Jo HowestP At pur sjoutannbos oye Pauses Sey uonuanl ag ep jookd asnpuo tow payed wood ipred ei) 1) aU 10 payynus wosiad ap oy payeas yu sea yj 40 uoweoyidde PASM PAS Mou 4 pp das aauaaut ue axon 204 psp m0 (woman de sayz9 ue Joong op ot iq jy 2vep fad Zo) aep Buy si [RADU AOU Fb 151 -pdutes> oY Agqeitiaied 20) s1u2U siinto oy 1230 0} fy 0} uN Aponbasqns 5 PaYo494 29 ED ‘pares 20U0 WY fanyjnoue 01 uoRepe tH s20u2}9p e19eds wos pur wopfupy powun 2g) ut Aewoptne 10 Aresoduy sys 0 yesute wii) Ww) 250 8 NG Per oypp ano aules ar aso panredo Bung st yp spusved af opun gages 2g ot pend Pooted © Noy 104 soop pe oz Aan 2332p st ey pou Se sua 9 HL Bi aaxomogpasaxoonp usoq sey uonmaAi ase vw 0210 we 2)9qm 2fgeisd® 24 RS Big ny wouo> ve avoqapatedox 01 yt any ean pada wang Su se A Caen dons fg Gemuey you are ssasqu saoreudond ap exp seq 24) to) sosodund ensouz9ds> 20} 20 sosod id epiauruoa-vou x0) pue Asresad aop 3} 398 a °3{0WUEx9 20) ze HV Hed 2 10 Fejos uoupos unos auoped vo uousafunj on suondeox9 20 s20u9p Jo qn Ee PAL s3idaWau GNV S39N34ad dots anja Jo 390 10 eA Sian sured yay np Jo supp on xy 24 eu POH om se HaHa uy wuned AUT Hor ore soepusop a auoyu, sp Sized poy w psn ep sen woNUoNK af 0 OUP Brees erway atop sy ut seop 1 apeu pe sew 2 en Pe Aen 20801 AA erp yen pon vogusau ayy mov] Uo Dayo ea. ¥ >a} Tuy YEA AD UL Bare ict app niiayp ov spore Ase Buran) Assed preps pees wns sa0epmIep Beeston ppota dase oyun os pexompop © pos uote! spur 28 Yemonred Brn ns xn pp sun yBnov uo ps0 sono s;UePUE;p Pu MeN aH) MOM UE Been esos son sa sanog (4a 51 peas pay ses weed psa 9p) eared Hey ory pausap vn jo wea e sen yap ww psn asepuspep 2g hp Pat ZN Bevis Bunpes pu 0 Suna uy uous sono paey Buos2x0 pue 2 Suapesuadtson 2 Mavs voy syed pouzauo> ypu (UD) 9LL1 OHM [200%] PrT swans wre HEME do TepntivessSouoygs00 sisyndtuon Jo ojueo ayy ur swonsanfoDoroug 2m 30 98 94 J0 ay dusex> Por yan th ty go apy Buide yo Ke 3221100 2p 9 03 Poutaguoo wang sey suonsonb Horony aun oe Spat fg on pop wow pow pouymuose ses 8D = Amsonboans seeped pong 0) Ayures> Jo aesfopaygeuoseas © ys owed ap Besorporoid ye urenquossauores oma ayqp aang wood vy uoraosd ay Jo Bey rtsayacs sey susie ye 241 wpa word dq susp poe wordy ee ronerpuce uo ey ot Bupuaxo uons2oudJenpe ayy UEP post 24 uP Be core sone snuniquie anos 3 psn Bu Ao sumnesp poe cond 2p “one Bean ont un sumbou iow sop se wssH09 0 Ho 3903 69 9PRAY WO [e200 HL Beene pus eon dsop oy A poosdsout Se suse jo sue au 4a pussi9p 24 Pnows Hence wetoang hq poua}uo> uopyoad Jo were fp Hp SS Od aE JO.69 ADBV seypauiss pue s22u2}20Software inventions Seed ‘patent’ or ‘patented! or similar, this does not automatically mean that the defendant sof the patent unless the number of the patent also appears on the product concerned. This Es anyone to look up and inspect the patent specification to determine its scope. jproprictor of a patent must be careful how he warns alleged infringers. There is a remedy Ee section 70 in respect of groundless threats of infringement proceedings. A person by the threat may bring an action, unless the person making the threat can show that fects in respect of which the threats were made were or would constitute an infringement of {petent, and the patent is not shown to be invalid by the person bringing the action (or, if @ to be invalid, the defendant shows that atthe time of making the threats he did not know fad no reason to believe that the patent was invalid in a relevant respect). The remedies area declaration that the threats are unjustified, an injunction against a continuance of Sareats, and damages for any loss sustained by the person aggrieved who has brought the Groundless threats actions do not apply to all forms of infringement (making or import- {product or using a process) and simply notifying any person of the existence of the patent = aot constitute « groundless threat. Making enquiries for the sole purpose of whether, or by. patent has been infringed and making assertions about the patent for the purposes of Eh enquiries does not constitute a groundless threat. ‘Ap cxample where a groundless-threats action might be appropriate can be seen below: G ateged that a computer imported into the UK by Acme Importers Ltd infringes a UK patent Eeging to Esoteric Computers plc. The computers are sold by Acme to Krafty Computer Sales Ltd, Jest outlet. Esoteric sends a letter to Krafty threatening to sue Krafty for patent infringement unless §e=sses selling the computers forthwith. Krafty will be a perso n aggrieved! and, if Krafty stops buying puters from Acme, 50 may be Acme. Either should be able to bring an action for groundless threats Swill be entitied to remedies unless Esoteric can show that the sale of the computers infringes the nt (Subject to a reasonable belie that that isso) and, ita challenge has been made on the validity ie patent, or any relevant part of it that itis valid FTWARE INVENTIONS. term ‘sofiware inventions’ covers a range of inventions which are implemented by means "Seolving a programmed computer, The il-fated proposed Directive on the patentability of com: [peter implemented inventions defined a ‘computer-implemented invention’ as: any invention the performance of which involves the use of a computer, computer network or ‘ether programmable apparatus and having one or more prima facie novel features which are realised wholly or partly by means of a computer program or computer programs. [The term software invention is synonymous with this definition and includes inventions which [produce effects which may or may not be themselves among the list of things declared not to be Eeventions under section 1(2) of the Patents Act 1977. For example, a programmed computer Seay control an industrial process such as an automatic painting plant for vehicle bodies or it ma [eontrol a business method such as a method of buying and selling company shares electronically. Tt has to be said that the law on the patentability of software inventions is in a mess. The Boards of Appeal at the EPO (which hear appeals from decisions of the EPO’s patent examin- less) have handed down a number of contradictory decisions. It is as if they have been making, ‘ep how the exclusion of computer programs and business methods should be interpreted ‘on the hoof. This recipe for confusion is made worse by the fact that, although decisions of the Boards of Appeal at the EPO are of persuasive authority, they are not binding on the courts of010 sno. 4p Beg aE pH jo uy pur eos a4 nn yo uNeD uradoung 9 Jo suoR Dap jo HOdEOH UY MOWOM a aH 5} SNL, sip ‘Sew! apen o} woRE|aA Uy speIs s2quIOyy Jo sae] axp aTEMNEXOAdde oy aaNDAATG] AUN kLE|ROH d 'soqnauiq s2u30 Jo wonP}UDUID} AU 6.49 24} 01 UorRD|aU UI ape URDq SEY LHS!DHLED LepLAES {1242 ato asoddns you op 21 pue day 34p Jo Uo}s|soud Susptiods2z309 & Jo Suueow 249 pur uorstao.d wy £26] © usesN9q BumIEALU Ut >UBHO;IP Aue pOYNUApL 12nd sey 9u0 ON (Oa 94 UH Sey ase yp 94p UF Dayo ates oy 2[gUdHIoNAd Se AuRaU Se 94PU 1 SE PLE Os, 1 wwojsisoud yuea3pas oyp yey) —yuno> 10U Seop Butsm-az sy YP Ayo UY (OES Kes DMP PAE 289Uf Jo auios attun-23 pue Joquinu-ay 03 as0IP WEUISYRAP axp Kem popuey-y>e> keyed w Up (56 "exed a8) pres paddy yo 12n05 ayy ‘z9¢ 15 vom [S002] PxT woz a diaz maysoyy us ‘2dutexs 104 "suoysyaoud 2831p 912621 03 28049 S17] 24 EHP 198} 9) JO UUSID! xD 910s 1994 Set] 2391] “FOYE “Pso «91H uy suo|sIAoAd yuajeagnbs ayR SE Dayo ULES 24 Iq eoqpeid se se0u se ‘2aey 0} pose[zap suo}s|aoud aso¥p Jo 24 st 2261 1DY SIUBIEg 3tp Jo | UOHDAG “wns se sapisnoe Jo Jatzeusapalqns tpns 01 saier wored uodosng 40 woneoydde yuored ueedoung © yptys o} yusIx9 ayp 01 dquo uoystaoud yey uF 0} passages SeMIande 20 Janew-pofqns ay 30 Aagqewuned apnppxs |jeys z ycesBezed jo suostaoud au, ‘won eULZOFUT Jo SuOREUDEDId (p) ‘sinndwio> 10y surea8oud pu ss9u sng Sulop 10 sowed Sursopd ‘oe jeruaur Suuoyiod Jo spowpaut pue sajna ‘sausseps (2) Suoqe>x> 9naqs9P (q) ‘sporpioujesnewoyeur pur ssz024p 2ynuaps Sap9A02sIp (2) sr ydesd sand jo Sujueau oy) ug suonuaaur se popssfas aq you jus senonsed ui SuOTOH YL (2) ‘dois 94q1U3AU Ue 9sf0aUy Y>HYA ple now 928 “wonteyydde JPuenpur jo 2jandoosns ose wry suonuasuy Auw 305 pons 9q yfeys swuawed ueadouna (1) 25 army oyppoU st ZZ61 IDV sUDrE 3H JO (2) PUR (I)I KORDA Y>IYS Uo Oda amp Jo 75 Spry Jo sued yueagpax ayn ano Sumas quo aq wy Fanamod SLY SuONWAI Au 2}qpssod uP uosso.myy 8 2y019Y UL UOIsDap axp Jo uORdUDSEp # U>xp pure Od. 242 [Roddy Jo spuvos Dy} Jo suotsinap jum>a1 9p jo uonduDFap v sMoqoy B14), soINdwoD hq paIueLua}dul ‘spoou Ssourpng pur sive jeivaw Ajrejajized ‘suonuasut 9g 01 30u pasepsap saew (q) pur ‘sucesRoud daynciwoo (e) spaeBou se xp 2 uy uomsod aq ¥ 409] 0} S| Yo0q ay jo uoR228 sy Jo sopUIELIDL 2ep jo sxn}anas ayn woddy 30 spibog qa 2M stuoudoypa3p yUopes NODE O}UL SUEFEL sip ose) won, ut Oag 21p w eaddy yo parog. ayy ye swwesBoxd z2unduro> yo kameqeiuaned oap Ju0 2509 Jaysea we padsar jsoveo18 ou unl powany SasED OUI, “(HO}DQ PassndsIp |) Nsug pu 290 PUT peuW se ypns sexe yeaddy 30 tno) snowasd ws padojaarp pey | se me] aya deo} ang uondo ou pey 3 paprap feaddy 30 nop ayn “Oda a4) ie ead Jo spieog 24 Jo suossrop Si Jo 2>n0u reripn ae 0} uauuynbau ay) Jo 24s Uy “Ze AID YOMA [9007] WossoUsOyY A AT PIOW9Y wt Oars 2KH- Pu 319 aHP UAB 39"> a4) paxapysUOD [ead Jo ano 2M KpED>yf “axaito ‘o}snap 280% Soyo ssn doqp vey des 07 04 SY HLL ~ZZ6L HOY STUAKEE 2M JO 16 WORDS 49pun Aa me JPXIgY Jo sproog ap Jo suorssap Jo aaqou feroxpn{ axe 01 posmbas oxe 39 941 UE StaN0D 9q, Spexdy yo rn pur spu0y jo asnoH ays Jo suors!=p Aq plunog s; unED 2141 ay, suO¥s!p Snoraard umo sis "p21u0> sit uy yueAapssijeas jou stiondaoxa pow] 09 W2lqns “pure sp107 Go 2sno11 4p yo suosrrap Aq punog 5; oddly Jo 33n0% 24) ‘o}duUEND 40) punEU 8] AN suonuanut s0N3405 abtSoftware Inventions Eoin the chapter in trade marks and passing off. Where provisions in Directives are required Smplemented without variation, judges in the UK now tend to go straight to the text ofthe Sve rather than the UK implementing legislation. ‘Computer programs “Exclusion from patent of computer programs reflects international trends. Copyright is scen Se proper vehicle for the protection of computer programs although, when the curre! Bets Act was passed in 1977, it was far from clear whether copyright did protect computer s. Even before the 1977 Act, computer programs were not generally patentable per se but swere cases, both in the UK and in the US, where computer programs were the subject- fof granted patents, usually as being part of a piece of machinery or an industrial process ‘example, in Diamond v Diehr [1981] 209 USPQ 1, the US Supreme Court confirmed that a puter-controlled process used in rubber curing was patentable, Since that time, the US has ‘much more liberal in granting patents for software inventions generally and the courts now accept that computer programs and business methods are patentable in principle. One for this is that the US Patents Act 1952 does not have specific exceptions for them. It also definition of what a patentable invention is under § 101 which states: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition ‘ef matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to ‘ee conditions and requirements of this title. ‘he UK, under the previous patent legislation, the Patents Act 1949, an invention was defined Section 101 (the interpretation section) as ‘any manner of manufacture ... and any new Ethod or process of testing applicable to the improvement or control of manufacture .. In %: Application {1970] RPC 91, data processing apparatus was arranged to work in a certain m associated with punched cards inserted into it. The purpose of the apparatus was to file G trade marks in such a way that they could be easily produced to check for similarity and for registration. The patent application, which concerned a piece of machinery which fune- ned in a certain way because of the punched cards, was allowed to proceed. The cards were [scribed by the judge as a‘manner of manufacture’ because he thought that a punched card was Pestogous toa cam for controlling the cutting path of a lathe. This was distinguished from a card [Gaich merely had written or printed material on it, intended to convey information to the Baman eye or mind, and not meant to be ancillary to some machine by being specially shaped Bar that purpose. However, because of subsequent technological developments, integrated cir- {Gaits, magnetic disks and tapes and optical character readers now are used to enter information Seto a computer or to store the programs which control the computer. The analogy with a mech: [oieal process no longer rings true and itis unlikely that this case will be followed. Ta another case, Burrough’s Corporation (Perkin’s) Application [1974] RPC 147, computer Sgrams controlled the transmission of data to terminals from a central computer (a commu Eations system). The system, including the computer programs, was held to be the proper sub- E matter of a patent because the programs were embodied in physical form; they were owired — permanently embedded in the electronic circuits of the equipment. In many ts the significance of the physical form of a program, whether hard-wired on a silicon chip Stored on magnetic disks, is an irrelevance and should not affect patentability. The distinction between modes of storage and their effect on patentability was considered [Geder the 1977 Act in Gales Application [1991] RPC 305, concerning an application for a [Gecthod of calculating square roots by program instructions contained in a ROM chip. 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