美英两国商业方法专利适格性标准的悖离抑或趋同

商业方法的专利适格性在美国和英国一直是一个颇有争议的话题,两国的法院和知识产权局都在积极探寻其合理界限.美国联邦巡回上诉法院于2008年10月30日审结的In Re Bilski案采取了限缩商业方法专利适格性的模式,英国上诉法院于2008年10月8日宣判的Symbian Ltd.v.Comptroller-General of Patents案则表明将进一步放宽商业方法的可专利性条件.美国的"适度限缩"和英国的"有限扩张"的实践一方面显示了各国对于商业方法专利适格性标准质疑的不同回应;另一方面,这种不同路径也揭示了两国对于商业方法专利适格性边界的共同廓清,具有殊途同归、异曲同工之妙.美、英两国关于商业方法专利适格性标准的动向值得中国关注.

Divergence or Convergence to the Patent Eligibility of Business Method in US and UK

Qualified business method patent issues in the United States and the United Kingdom is a very controversial topic,the United States and the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office of the Court are actively exploring.October,30,2008 from the U.S.Federal Circuit Court of Appeals concluded to take the limit Re Bilski reduce business method patent right of the model grid,October 8,2008 the British Court of Appeal handed down the Symbian cases indicates that further relaxation of the UK business methods will...