EPO reaffirms stance towards using non-technical elements to assess the inventiveness of computer-implemented inventions (T 0279/21)

The Technical Board of Appeal of the EPO has issued a decision, T 0279/21, regarding the inventive step requirement in relation to computer-implemented inventions, and the importance of distinguishing between technical and non-technical contributions.

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Laos, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), to become an EPO validation state

From 1 April 2025 it will be possible to validate European patent applications in Lao PDR. This will apply to European patent applications filed on or after 1 April 2025.

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UK

Slingsby Partners participates in IP Panel at the Materials Society at Imperial College London

Ruby Freeman was part of an IP Panel at Imperial College London, organised by the Materials Society.  The panel offered an opportunity for students in the Materials department to learn about a career in IP and to ask questions about entering the profession.  Topics discussed covered the routes to qualification, how to prepare for interviews, and the impact of AI on inventions.

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UK

UPC finds that it has jurisdiction to consider infringement in the UK

After the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK withdrew from participating in the Unified Patent Court (UPC) – this was consistent with the idea that the UK would no longer be affected EU laws or courts. However, a recent case at the Düsseldorf Local Division of the UPC has determined that the UPC has jurisdiction to hear a case of infringement action concerning the UK.

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