[Patents] Press release about the BT patent on hyperlinks.

[Edward Avis epa98@doc.ic.ac.uk]

>From: Steve Probert <steve.probert@patent.gov.uk>
>Subject: Re: [Patents] Press release about the BT patent on hyperlinks.

>>if it is not a computer program as such, then that means I can not
>>possibly infringe on the patent by merely distributing a computer
>>program, right?

>In this case, because of the way the invention is claimed, it is unlikely
>that merely distributing a computer program would be a direct
>infringement.  However, if the computer program has the potential to
>cause a technical effect when loaded onto a computer,

*All* computer programs have the potential to cause a technical effect
when loaded onto a computer.  That is their purpose!

>and, more
>specifically, if the technical effect is the same as that claimed in the
>patent,

So I cannot patent a computer program, but I can patent the 'technical
effect' which a program might have when run?

In this particular case, the patent is not about 'technical effect' but
about the very idea of hyperlinks.  Otherwise, it could not possibly
apply to the Web because the technology used is very different from that
current when the patent was filed.

-- 
Ed Avis
epa98@doc.ic.ac.uk