Re: [Patents] Looking for Graphical Information System Patent in Europe...

[PILCH Hartmut <phm@a2e.de>]

> I am looking for "software patent" granted by the EPO relative to
> Geographical Information System (potentially patent for Graphical
> "invention" are also of interest).

Such patents not only exist but are already causing damage, see

        http://swpat.ffii.org/patents/samples/geogrid/

Not the only case.  For the rest, a keyword search at espacenet.com should
find some relevant patents but by far not all.

The geogrid patent could even be taken to relate to something beyond
software.  It is a calculation rule for a computer plus some non-computer
elements, similar to rod-splitting

        http://swpat.ffii.org/papers/bgh-walzst80/

and therefore arguably not covered by Art 52.2c. Yet, the EADS Dornier is
treating it like a pure software patent and using it to go after small
software companies which have written nothing but programs for computers [
as such ].  These software companies would probalby be protected by Art 52
EPC now, but still they are shying away from court procedings.

> I am especially interested in currently invalid patent that the current
> proposal directive would make valid.

You mean one of the ca 30000 software patents listed at

        http://swpat.ffii.org/patents/txt/ep/

?

What is there to search?

The problem is not searching nor showing the contradictions with the law
but rather persuading authoritarian-minded people that these hardworking
civil servants at the EPO are not the ultimate source of wisdom and
legalisty and that one must risk a clash with them.

-- 
Hartmut Pilch, FFII & Eurolinux Alliance              tel. +49-89-12789608
Protecting Innovation against Patent Inflation       http://swpat.ffii.org/
140,000 signatures against software patents      http://www.noepatents.org/