Patents on Software? Patentability of Computer-Implemented Inventions in the field of Computer-Modeling and -Simulation

Wolfgang König^*

Imagine you have created a computer-aided method of designing an airfoil. Is such a computer model patentable? What about a wing developed using the model? What about software in general? When does it make sense to apply for a patent? The European Patent Office grants patents for inventions in a technological area only where a technical problem is solved by technical means. This also holds true for innovations where software is involved. By the way, patents and open software do not necessarily exclude each other. This presentation will take a look at what you need to know about patents for computer implemented inventions at the European Patent Office. Perhaps you will find some potentially patentable inventions in your portfolio.

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Contributed Talks: Special Session on Software Patents