6.7. Presentations of information
6.7.1 User Interfaces
Formerly section I.A.2.6.1. This section has been renumbered due to updates in preceding sections. No changes have been made to the content of this section. |
User interfaces, in particular graphical user interfaces (GUIs), comprise features of presenting information and receiving input in response as part of human-computer interaction. Features defining user input are more likely to have a technical character than those solely concerning data output and display, because input requires compatibility with the predetermined protocol of a machine, whereas output may be largely dictated by the subjective preferences of a user (Guidelines G‑II, 3.7.1 – March 2024 version).
There is well-established case law which considers a graphical user interfaces layout (GUI) as such to be non-technical, being a "presentation of information" (Art. 52(2)(d) EPC) (see T 1143/06; T 1741/08).
The issues of GUI layout and presentation of information in the assessment of inventive step is analysed in detail in the chapter I.D.9.2.10 "Assessment of features relating to a presentation of information".