From steve.probert@patent.gov.uk  Wed Sep 13 22:05:22 2000
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 23:05:22 +0100
From: Steve Probert steve.probert@patent.gov.uk
Subject: [Patents] EUROPEAN BOARD VOTES TO ALLOW SOFTWARE PATENTS

>......But note that the votes of the 3 countries above, unhoped for not so
> long ago, show that we can lobby effectively on these issues.

Time for a note of caution.  The UK position, clearly stated prior to the vote being taken, is that it would be premature to amend the EPC until we know the outcome of the Commission's deliberations on the subject.   As most people already know, the Commission is expected to produce a proposal on the subject of software patents imminently.  Consequently, the UK delegation did not express an opinion either way on the substance of the amendment.  Rather the UK voted that the amendment should not be put to the November Conference.

Steve Probert
(Deputy Director, UK Patent Office)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 




