6.3. Discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods
Overview
6.3. Discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical 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). |
Art. 52 EPC sets out in paragraph Art. 52(2)(a) EPC-Art. 52(2)(d) EPC a non-exhaustive list of items which are not regarded as an invention. This includes "Discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods" in (a). These activities share the common feature that they do not aim at any direct technical result but are rather of an abstract and intellectual character (see T 22/85, OJ 1990, 12; T 854/90, OJ 1993, 669; T 338/00).