ARTICLE · 13 JUNE 2022

Revised EPO Guidelines: AI And Computer-Implemented Inventions – Emphasis On COMVIK And Technical Detail

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The European Patent Office's latest revisions to the Guidelines for Examination came into force on 1 March 2022. Alongside revisions directed to...

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Frances Wilding

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The European Patent Office's latest revisions to the Guidelines for Examination came into force on 1 March 2022. Alongside revisions directed to partial priority, adaptation of the description, and biotechnological inventions, the 2022 Guidelines include substantial updates for examination of computer-implemented inventions.

2021's G 1/19 decision has prompted revisions to chapter G-II, which now further clarifies when mathematical methods and/or computer simulations contribute to the technical character of an invention (G-II, 3.3). In particular, the Guidelines related to the patentability of simulation, design or modelling (G-II, 3.3.2) have been almost entirely rewritten.

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