Analyzing Patentability of Software Inventions

ByDr. Kalyan C. KankanalaBrain League IP Services now BananaIP

© Brain League IP Services Pvt. Ltd., 2009. Private Use is

Permitted.

Invention

Patent

Inventor report

Invention disclosure

Patent search

Patent application

Filing

Prosecution

Patent Grant

Patentablity Opinion

Patentability requirements

Patentable subject matterUtilityNoveltyNonobviousnessSpecification

INVENTIONS

Subject Matter

Usefulness

Novelty

Non-obviousness

Specification

PATENTS

Kalyan’s Patent Filter Model

Patentable Subject Matter

Process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter and Improvements

Product or Process

ExclusionsAbstract Ideas, Physical Phenomenon and

Laws of Nature.Function of a machine Mental stepsMathematical Algorithm

IndiaComputer Programs Per se

Diamond v. DiehrProcess for vulcanizing rubberSignal to open moldPhysical effectPart of a process

State Street Bank CaseHub and Spoke SoftwareCalcuate share of profits in mutual

fundsConcrete, Useful and Tangible ResultBusiness Method Exception

Bilski CaseMethod of hedging riskMachine or Transformation test

© Brain League IP Services Pvt. Ltd., 2009. Private Use is Permitted.

Subject Matter?

Utility

CurrentSubstantialCredible

NoveltyKnown or usedPatented or publishedPublic use or On saleAbandonedForeign priorityPatented in another country

NoveltyDerivedSuppressed or ConcealedDiligence

Single prior art reference

NonobviousnessScope of prior artDifferences- invention and prior artLevel of ordinary skillSecondary Indicia

At the time of conceptionObvious to try

Secondary IndiciaCommercial SuccessCopying Praise by expertUnexpected resultsLong felt need

SpecificationWritten DescriptionEnablementBest ModeClaims

Object: Notice and Dissemination

© Brain League IP Services Pvt. Ltd., 2009. Private Use is Permitted.

Analyzing Patentablity

European Patent Convention

Patent LawEuropean Patent ConventionImplementing RegulationsEPO DecisionsDirective

Article 52Invention

Exclusions“As such”

Mathematical methodsBusiness methodsMental actsComputer programs

VICOM Case

Apparatus and process for digitally processing images

Application of mathematical method Not Computer program as suchPatentable

IBM Case

Computer Program ProductTechnical CharacterMake computer hardware function in a

particular wayPatentable

ATT Case

Concrete Software from SpecificationsAutomation of certain steps - Call for

necessary modulesHeld - Not PatentableNo technical characterAutomation of mental steps of a

programmer

HITACHI Case

Method of automatic auctionMix of technical and non-technical stepsHeld-Subject MatterPrior Art must not be considered

PITNEY BOWES Case

Method of Physical/Electronic mail delivery system

Held - Patentable Subject MatterNot precluded under Article 52

President’s ReferralComputer programGeneral Purpose computerSpecific deviceTechnical EffectTechnical Character

ExampleA software for analyzing ECG data

remotely.

Is it patentable in Indis, USA and Europe?

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Thank You