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Part II – Implementing Regulations to Part II of the Convention
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  7. Chapter V
  8. Rule 27
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Chapter V – Biotechnological inventions

Overview

Rule 27
Patentable biotechnological inventions

Biotechnological inventions shall also be patentable if they concern:

(a) biological material which is isolated from its natural environment or produced by means of a technical process even if it previously occurred in nature; 

(b)37 without prejudice to Rule 28, paragraph 2, plants or animals if the technical feasibility of the invention is not confined to a particular plant or animal variety;

(c)38 a microbiological or other technical process, or a product obtained by means of such a process other than a plant or animal variety. 


37Amended by decision of the Administrative Council CA/D 6/17 of 29.06.2017 (OJ EPO 2017, A56), which entered into force on 01.07.2017.
See opinion of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 3/19 (Annex I).

38See decisions/opinion of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 2/07, G 1/08, G 3/19 (Annex I).

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EPC - Reference
  • Art. 52
Version history
  • 13.12.2007 - 30.06.2017 
    Decision of the Administrative Council of 07.12.2006 (CA/D 10/06), (OJ EPO 2007, 8 and Special edition 1/2007)
    01.07.2017 -  
    CA/D 6/17 (OJ EPO 2017, A56)
Cross-reference list
  • EPC EPC 1973
    R. 27R. 23c
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