European Experts Speak on Patenting Trends in Software and Automobile Industries - November 16, 2010
A seminar on European Perspectives on Patents was organized by Licensing Executive Society India in association with CSIR’s Unit for Research and Development of Information Products (URDIP) at Pune. The seminar was chaired by Mr. Subramaniam Vutha of Licensing Executive Society.
Mr. Subramaniam Vutha
Dr. R.R.Hirwani, Director, URDIP who in his opening remarks stated that the objective of seminar was to create an awareness among Indian manufacturers and service providers about the current trends in patenting in Europe so that they can protect their inventions as well as avoid infringement of patents of others.
Prof. Heinz Goddar
Prof. Heinz Goddar – a German Patent Expert elaborated on the patenting aspects of computer implemented inventions under European conventions and German law according to which software as such can not be patented but softawre-related patent claims would only be allowable, if a technical problem is solved by technical means. He stated that presence of at least one technical (hardware) feature in a patent claim, otherwise directed to software features, makes subject matter eligible for patenting. The features of the invention that create novelty/inventiveness must contribute to overall technical effect. He also explained the evolution of software patents, prosecution of software patents and litigations in Europe by way of case studies.
Mr. Damien Trotereau
The second speaker Mr. Damien Trotereau a Patent Examiner at European Patent Office delivered his talk on the trends in patenting in automobile industries in Europe. According to him the traditional automotive systems like braking, chassis, suspensions, combustion engines have reached maturity phase as far as patenting is concerned. The new inventions that are being filed are driven by considerations of safety, environment and comfort. The major emphasis is on Hybrid Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, and Fuel cell Vehicles and on control of engines. He illustrated his talk by giving detailed case study of Diagnostic Systems for Internal Combustion Engines. Most patent activities related to diagnostics are taking place in electrical engine control and monitoring exhaust gas after treatment systems. Toyota is the company filing the most patent applications in Japan as well as worldwide, followed by Denso, Bosch and Continental/Siemens. According to him patent trends indicate emergence of new players in the industry belonging to countries China.
The LES Group
In addition to above two speakers, an eight member team of Examiners from European Patent Office was also present to speak and discuss about the various issues of patenting with respect to software and automobiles domains. The open discussion and Question and Answer session at the end involved participation from the EPO team, which threw light on various intricacies involved in the patent licensing, prosecution and litigation.
Interactive Audience
The seminar participants included Chief Technical Officers, IP professionals, and Information analysts, representing software companies, automobile industries and legal firms.
The seminar ended with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Subramaniam Vutha.