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

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

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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