5.2.2 Methods
This section has been updated to reflect case law and legislative changes up to 31 December 2023. For the previous version of this section please refer to the "Case Law of the Boards of Appeal", 10th edition (PDF). |
In accordance with the established case law, if a method which is not per se "technical" e.g. a mathematical method, is used in a technical process, and this process is carried out on a physical entity by some technical means implementing the method and provides as its result a change in that entity, it contributes to the technical character of the invention as a whole (T 1814/07).
Any claimed subject-matter defining or using technical means is an invention within the meaning of Art. 52(1) EPC (see T 424/03 and T 258/03, and confirmed in G 3/08 date: 2010-05-12, OJ 2011, 10). Therefore, the mere inclusion of a computer, a computer network, a readable medium carrying a program, etc. in a claim lends technical character to the claimed subject-matter.