[FYI] Amendment of the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO regarding the patentability of business methods and computer-relat

["Axel H Horns" <horns@ipjur.com>]

http://www.epo.co.at/news/pressrel/2001_10_05_e.htm

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Amendment of the Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent 
Office regarding the patentability of business methods and computer-
related inventions  

By decision of the President of the EPO dated 31 August 2001, the 
Guidelines for Examination1 have been amended pursuant to Article 
10(2) EPC. The amendments are being published in an updated 
electronic text of the Guidelines on the EPO-website and in the form 
of replacement sheets for the paper version. The following two 
sections have been amended:  

C-IV, 2 C-IV, 9.5  

The purpose of the amendments is to bring the Guidelines into line 
with EPO board of appeal case law concerning the patentability of 
business methods and computer-related inventions and with current EPO 
practice on examining such subject-matter. Made after consulting the 
Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO (SACEPO), they take into 
account in particular the following board of appeal decisions:  

T 769/92 of 31 May 1994 (OJ EPO 1995, 525);  

T 1173/97 of 1 July 1998 (OJ EPO 1999, 609);  

T 1194/97 of 15 March 2000 (OJ EPO 2000, 525);  

T 931/95 of 8 September 2000 (OJ EPO 2001, 441).  

The opportunity has also been taken to remove some editorial and 
linguistic inconsistencies.  

Replacement sheets for the old pages can be ordered from the EPO. The 
cost is EUR 13.20 for each language, payable on receipt of the 
invoice.  

                     To order, please contact (or use Online order): 

                     European Patent Office Vienna sub-office 
                     Attn: Ms Monika Beyerknecht 
                     Rennweg 12 
                     Postfach 90 
                     1031 Vienna, Austria 
                     Fax: (+43-1) 52126-2495 
                     e-mail: mbeyerknecht@epo.org 

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