European 'no' to software patent directive leaves doors open to protection of new ideas

摘要

As more processes are automated, it has become increasingly important to some businesses to be able to patent software. In return for disclosing an invention to the public, by way of publication of the application, patents provide a 20-year monopoly for the patent owner. A patent can take up to four years to be granted in the UK, and up to seven by the European Patent Office (EPO). However, European and UK legislation excludes computer programs "as such" from patent protection, unlike the US.