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  • Patent Index 2020
Part II – Substantive patent law
  1. Home
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  3. European Patent Convention
  4. Contents
  5. European Patent Convention
  6. Part II
  7. Chapter I
  8. Article 52
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Chapter I – Patentability

Overview

Article 5238, 39
Patentable inventions

(1) European patents shall be granted for any inventions, in all fields of technology, provided that they are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application. 

(2) The following in particular shall not be regarded as inventions within the meaning of paragraph 1:

(a) discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods; 

(b) aesthetic creations; 

(c) schemes, rules and methods for performing mental acts, playing games or doing business, and programs for computers; 

(d) presentations of information. 

(3) Paragraph 2 shall exclude the patentability of the subject-matter or activities referred to therein only to the extent to which a European patent application or European patent relates to such subject-matter or activities as such.


38Amended by the Act revising the European Patent Convention of 29.11.2000.

39See decisions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 1/98, G 1/03, G 2/03, G 3/08, G 1/16 (Annex I).

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EPC - Reference
  • Art. 54, 56, 57, 100, 138
    R. 26, 27, 29
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