Patent: Analyzing Patentability of Software Inventions / A Presentation at NLSIU Bangalore - Dr. Kalyan C Kankanala Contact Us for Intellectual Property Services BananaIP Counsels Regd Office No.40,3rd Main Road,JC Industrial Estate, Kanakapura Road,Bangalore – 560 062. Email: contact@bananaip.com Telephone: +91-80-26860414 /24/34

1. Analyzing
Patentability of
Software Inventions
By
Dr. Kalyan C. Kankanala
Brain League IP Services now BananaIP
© Brain League IP Services Pvt.
Ltd., 2009. Private Use is
Permitted.

2. Invention
Patent
Inventor report
Invention disclosure
Patent search
Patent application
Filing
Prosecution
Patent Grant
Patentablity Opinion

3. Patentability
requirements
Patentable subject matter
Utility
Novelty
Nonobviousness
Specification

4. INVENTIONS
Subject Matter
Usefulness
Novelty
Non-obviousness
Specification
PATENTS
Kalyan’s Patent
Filter Model

5. Patentable Subject
Matter
Process, machine, manufacture,
composition of matter and
Improvements
Product or Process

6. Exclusions
Abstract Ideas, Physical Phenomenon
and Laws of Nature.
Function of a machine
Mental steps
Mathematical Algorithm
India
Computer Programs Per se

7. Diamond v. Diehr
Process for vulcanizing rubber
Signal to open mold
Physical effect
Part of a process

8. State Street Bank Case
Hub and Spoke Software
Calcuate share of profits in mutual
funds
Concrete, Useful and Tangible Result
Business Method Exception

9. Bilski Case
Method of hedging risk
Machine or Transformation test

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Private Use is Permitted.
Subject Matter?

11. Utility
Current
Substantial
Credible

12. Novelty
Known or used
Patented or published
Public use or On sale
Abandoned
Foreign priority
Patented in another country

13. Novelty
Derived
Suppressed or Concealed
Diligence
Single prior art reference

14. Nonobviousness
Scope of prior art
Differences- invention and prior art
Level of ordinary skill
Secondary Indicia
At the time of conception
Obvious to try

15. Secondary Indicia
Commercial Success
Copying
Praise by expert
Unexpected results
Long felt need

16. Specification
Written Description
Enablement
Best Mode
Claims
Object: Notice and Dissemination

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Private Use is Permitted.
Analyzing Patentablity

18. European Patent
Convention

19. Patent Law
European Patent Convention
Implementing Regulations
EPO Decisions
Directive

20. Article 52
Invention
Exclusions
“As such”
Mathematical methods
Business methods
Mental acts
Computer programs

21. VICOM Case
Apparatus and process for digitally
processing images
Application of mathematical method
Not Computer program as such
Patentable

22. IBM Case
Computer Program Product
Technical Character
Make computer hardware function in a
particular way
Patentable

23. ATT Case
Concrete Software from Specifications
Automation of certain steps - Call for
necessary modules
Held - Not Patentable
No technical character
Automation of mental steps of a
programmer

24. HITACHI Case
Method of automatic auction
Mix of technical and non-technical steps
Held-Subject Matter
Prior Art must not be considered

25. PITNEY BOWES
Case
Method of Physical/Electronic mail
delivery system
Held - Patentable Subject Matter
Not precluded under Article 52

26. President’s Referral
Computer program
General Purpose computer
Specific device
Technical Effect
Technical Character

27. Example
A software for analyzing ECG data
remotely.
Is it patentable in Indis, USA and Europe?

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Private Use is Permitted.
Thank You