Art. 52 (1) EPÜ → Patentierbare Erfindungen
Art. 52 (2) EPÜ → Nicht patentierbare Erfindungen
Art. 52 (3) EPÜ → Beschränkung des Patentierungsausschlusses

Art. 53 EPÜ → Ausnahmen von der Patentierbarkeit

→ Computerspiele

In assessing inventive step of such a „mixed“ invention the Board adopts the approach as set out in T 1543/06 (Gameaccount), reasons 2, which is based foremost on T 641/00 (OJ EPO 2003, 352). Thus, only those features that contribute to technical character are to be taken into account when assessing inventive step.¹⁾

However, the mere technical implementation of something excluded (game rules as in the present case, for example) cannot form the basis for inventive step. Decisive is how excluded subject-matter is technically implemented, and whether that implementation is obvious in the light of the prior art. As explained in reasons 2.7 to 2.9 of T 1543/06, such a consideration focuses on any further technical effects of the implementation of the excluded subject-matter over and above those inherent in the excluded subject-matter itself.²⁾

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