International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

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A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Call for Paper Volume 6 Issue 4 July-August 2024 Submit your research before last 3 days of August to publish your research paper in the issue of July-August.

Applicability of the Term ‘As Such’ While Protecting the Computer Programs: An Outlook for European Law

Author(s) Sonia Jain
Country India
Abstract ‘The automatic bar on patent protection for computer programs ‘as such’ in section 1(2) of the Patents Act 1977 is unduly restrictive and out of step with modern information technology-based innovation. This exception to patentability should be removed from the Act so that any program meeting the basic requirements of novelty, inventive step, etc. is patentable like any other invention.’ The current paper aims to analyse section 1(2) of the Patents Act 1977 and its relation with article 52(2) EPC. It further tries to establish the differences between the two approaches. The aim remains to analyse why EPO changed its approach for a narrower interpretation of ‘as such’ and why the UK refuses to follow. The essay will show that the English interpretation of ‘as such’ in section 1(2) is not suitable for the computer programming market reality of today concerning the economic and industry changes in size and structure. The attempt has been made to focus on showing that section 1(2) is too restrictive considering the type of businesses and innovations and a broader interpretation of ‘as such’ effects. The UK’s law had expressed intentions to remain in harmony with the EPO, ‘collocation’ as an alternative solution to following the ‘any hardware approach’ and the lack of benefit the total removal of section 1 (2) would bring.
Keywords Patents, Computer Programs, European Patent Convention.
Field Sociology > Administration / Law / Management
Published In Volume 5, Issue 4, July-August 2023
Published On 2023-07-26
Cite This Applicability of the Term ‘As Such’ While Protecting the Computer Programs: An Outlook for European Law - Sonia Jain - IJFMR Volume 5, Issue 4, July-August 2023. DOI 10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i04.4688
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i04.4688
Short DOI https://doi.org/gsjjqz

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