Category: computer programs

Symbian Ltd v Comptroller General of Patents – WLR Daily

Posted October 10th, 2008 in computer programs, law reports, patents by sally

Symbian Ltd v Comptroller General of Patents [2008] EWCA Civ 1066; [2008] WLR (D) 310

“A patent application concerning a method of accessing data in a dynamic link library in a computing device was not excluded from registration under s 1(2)(c) of the Patents Act 1977 on the ground that it related to a computer program ‘as such’, since it involved a technical contribution to the prior art which would enable computers and related devices to work faster and more reliably.”

WLR Daily, 9th October 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Court ruling strengthens patent protection for UK software – The Times

Posted October 8th, 2008 in computer programs, news, patents by sally

“Technology companies will find it easier to safeguard their innovations in the UK after a court ruled that software should receive wider patent protection.”

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The Times, 8th October 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Activists plan day of protest against software patents – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 23rd, 2008 in computer programs, EC law, news, patents by sally

“Activists have declared tomorrow ‘Stop Software Patents Day’. The day is being held on the fifth anniversary of a European Parliament decision to limit patent law in a way that campaigners say benefited small software developers.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd September 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

High Court says UK-IPO was wrong to reject software-related patent – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 18th, 2008 in computer programs, news, patents by sally

“The High Court has overturned a decision of the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) to reject a patent application as being nothing more than software. The UK-IPO said that today’s ruling is incompatible with other decisions and will appeal.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 18th March 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

UK-IPO changes software patent advice – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 12th, 2008 in computer programs, news, patents by sally

“The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) will not appeal against a High Court ruling that some computer programs can be patented. It has amended its guidance to firms on the controversial issue.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 12th February 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

In re Astron Clinica Ltd and others – WLR Daily

Posted January 29th, 2008 in computer programs, law reports, patents by sally

In re Astron Clinica Ltd and others [2008] EWHC 85 (Pat); [2008] WLR (D) 12

“Claims to computer programs were not necessarily excluded from patentability by art 52 of the Convention on the Grant of European Patents 1973. Where claims to a method performed by running a suitably programmed computer or to a computer programmed to carry out the method were allowable, then, in principle, a claim to the program itself should be allowable.”

WLR Daily, 28th January 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

High Court backs software patents – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 29th, 2008 in computer programs, news, patents by sally

“Some software can be patented in the UK and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) is wrongly rejecting applications, according to a new ruling in the High Court. The UKIPO is considering appealing against the verdict.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 28th January 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

British software pirate faces up to 10 years in jail – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 16th, 2008 in computer crime, computer programs, copyright, news by sally

“A British man who was selling £12,000 software for £12 on eBay faces up to 10 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to copyright infringement and will be sentenced in February.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 15th January 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

Tech firms challenge software patent barrier in High Court – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 13th, 2007 in computer programs, news, patents by sally

“Four small technology companies will challenge recent guidance from the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) in the High Court next week. It states that few claims to computer programs for carrying out patentable methods are eligible for patenting.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th November 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

‘Commercially unimportant’ copyright infringement punished by injunction – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 31st, 2007 in computer programs, copyright, injunctions, news by sally

“A software developer responsible for a copyright infringement described even by the copyright owner as insignificant still broke the law, a court has ruled. An injunction has been served even though the infringer has stopped using the technology.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 31st August 2007

Source: www.out-law.com