T 1173/97 (Computer program product/IBM) of 01.07.1998

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:1998:T117397.19980701
Date of decision: 1 July 1998
Case number: T 1173/97
Petition for review of: -
Application number: 91107112.4
IPC class: G06F 11/14
Language of proceedings: English
Distribution: Published in the EPO's Official Journal (A)
Download: Decision in English
OJ versions: German
English
French
Other decisions for this case: -
Abstracts for this decision: -
Application title: Resynchronisation asynchrone d'une procédure de validation
Applicant name: International Business Machines
Opponent name: -
Board: 3.5.01
Headnote: A computer program product is not excluded from patentability under Article 52(2) and (3) EPC if, when it is run on a computer, it produces a further technical effect which goes beyond the "normal" physical interactions between program (software) and computer (hardware)".
Relevant legal provisions: Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Art 10Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Art 27(1)Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Art 27(2)Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Art 27(3)European Patent Convention Art 23(3) 1973 European Patent Convention Art 52(1) 1973 European Patent Convention Art 52(2)(c) 1973 European Patent Convention Art 52(3) 1973 European Patent Convention R 27 1973 European Patent Convention R 29 1973Guidelines_C-IV,2(3)Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969) Art 30Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969) Art 31(1)Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969) Art 31(4)Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969) Art 4
Keywords: Exclusion of computer program product from patentability (not under all circumstances)
Catchword: -
Cited cases: T 0006/83 T 0208/84 T 0022/85 T 0115/85 T 0163/85 T 0026/86 T 0110/90 T 0164/92 T 0769/92 T 0204/93 T 0410/96
Citing cases: G 0002/02 G 0003/02 G 0002/07 G 0001/08 G 0003/08 G 0002/12 G 0002/13 G 0001/18 G 0001/19 J 0009/98 J 0010/98 T 0931/95 T 1194/97 T 0513/98 T 0276/99 T 1171/01 T 0874/02 T 0914/02 T 0009/03 T 0258/03 T 0411/03 T 0424/03 T 0425/03 T 0467/03 T 0468/03 T 0469/03 T 0154/04 T 0471/05 T 0920/05 T 1227/05 T 1568/05 T 0121/06 T 0421/06 T 0979/06 T 1543/06 T 1784/06 T 0336/07 T 0859/07 T 2048/07 T 0012/08 T 1196/08 T 0844/09 T 1265/09 T 0042/10 T 0313/10 T 1755/10 T 1834/10 T 1921/10 T 1370/11 T 2037/11 T 1461/12 T 1722/12 T 0615/13 T 1082/13 T 0489/14 T 0543/14 T 0556/14 T 0944/15 T 0517/16 T 1125/17 T 1924/17 T 2021/17 T 1148/18 T 1639/18 T 1822/18 T 2825/19 T 2319/22 T 0891/23 T 1063/23

ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

1. The decision under appeal is set aside.

2. The case is remitted to the first instance for further prosecution on the basis of the appellant's request, and in particular for examination of whether the wording of the present claims avoids exclusion from patentability under Article 52(2) and (3) EPC, taking into account the fact that a computer program product is not so excluded under all circumstances.