IP: UK courts strike down patents on computer programs (fwd)

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

To: declan () well com
Subject: UK courts strike down Patent on compputer programs!


Just got this from the Time Law reports:


http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/tim/97/03/14/timlawcoa01002.html?
[The site requires registration]


A patent application, entitled "Method and apparatus for creating
synthetic crystal structure images", in essence a method for modelling on
computer a crystal structure for use in designing inorganic materials in
the field of chemistry and physics, was a computer program as such, and
thus not a patentable invention.


The judgement does not rule out patents on algorithms but rules out many
of the type of abusive patents common in the US such as the infamous
Britannica multimedia patent. The court appeared to be basing its
judgement on the European patents treaty so the effect may be considerably
wider than just the UK. 


        Phill






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