Software Patenting: Can it be done?

Introduction

A software patent is a type of utility patent that covers any computer performance realized via the use of a computer program. It is a type of intellectual property protection that protects computer programs or other computer-related performance.

A software patent is a form of utility patent that has no legal meaning. Software patents are a contentious issue in India and worldwide.

A software patent is not the same as a software copyright. While both protect the product, copyright merely protects the expression of an idea.

Rules For Software Patenting

The Patents (Amendment) Act 2002, which went into force on May 20, 2003, governs patent registration in India. The following sorts of innovations were specifically barred from Patent registration in the Patents Amendment Act of 2002:

• Mathematical or business method or a computer program per se or algorithms.
• Literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic work or any other aesthetic creation whatsoever, including cinematographic works and television productions.
• Mere scheme or rule or method of performing mental act or method of playing game.
• Presentation of information.
• Topography of integrated circuits.

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Need for Software Patent

As per the Berne Convention, when you build software, it is automatically protected by copyright. This protection is effective for the remainder of your life and for up to seventy years after your death.

Patents, on the other hand, are far more complicated and costly. You must file for a patent in each nation where you want your invention to be protected. You must file a specific patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty if you want worldwide protection. The patent is then considered and granted by each area or nation in accordance with its own regulations.

Despite the difficulty of the patent application procedure, many software developers prefer to file for patents because they provide more protection.

Because code easily falls into the definition of a literary work, the software has long been protected under copyright law. Thus, under the Berne Convention, the software is protected like works of literature, and any software developed is automatically protected by copyright. This permits the developer to prohibit another entity from duplicating the software, and in most cases, there is no need to register code in order for it to be copyrighted.

While Software Patenting has just appeared (at least in the United States, Japan, and Europe), patents grant their owners the right to restrict others from utilizing a claimed innovation, even if it was independently developed and no copying was involved.

Furthermore, patents protect the underlying processes included in a certain piece of software. Copyright, on the other hand, prohibits direct copying of software but does not prohibit other writers from developing their own representations of the underlying techniques.

However, the challenges involved in granting patent rights to software are far more complicated than taking out copyrights on it. One has two specific issues while dealing with software patents. The first concerns the patent itself and whether the type of protection it provides is appropriate for the software sector. The second issue concerns the nature of software and whether it should be patentable.

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Position in India

The recent amendment modifications (Ordinance, 2004), which updates the Patents Act, 1970, were proclaimed after getting approval from the President of India and took effect on January 1, 2005. Aside from changes in medicines and agricultural chemicals, one of the key adjustments sought by this Ordinance is the ability to patent embedded software.

As a result of the modification, while a mathematical or business approach or an algorithm cannot be patented, a computer program with technological use in any industry or that may be included in hardware can. Because every commercial software has some industrial application and all applications might be regarded as technical applications, all software patenting is plainly open. However, it must fulfil the basic criteria:

• Should have novelty.
• Inventive steps should be involved.
• It should have industrial applications.

Process for Getting a Software Patent

Software patents are more complicated than other types of patent registration, and sometimes, MOU agreements have to be made. As a result, the first step in obtaining a software patent is to seek the opinion of an experienced patent law specialist or agent in the field of software patent registration. Get online help now!

It is widely known in the law that when determining patentability, the emphasis should be on the underlying content of the invention rather than the specific form in which it is claimed. As a result, it is critical to assess the substance of claims while considering the entire claim. Any claim in any form, such as method/process, apparatus/system/device, computer program product, or computer-readable medium, would not be patentable if it fell under one of the banned categories.

However, if the claim does not fall into any of the barred categories, patent registration should not be disallowed.

Consequently, in order to achieve patent registration for software, it is necessary to demonstrate that the patent registration application pertains to an innovation relevant to industrial use rather than only software.

The Downsides of a Software Patent

Many people feel that software patents are harmful to innovation. This is because new programs frequently rely on older, proprietary applications to function properly. Patents can impede developers’ ability to use existing programs. A smartphone developer, for example, may be barred from utilizing — and maybe expanding on — a specific style of the menu because a rival owns the patent for that component.

There are thousands of software patents in force, and each one grants the proprietor the right to prevent others from using that software program for 20 years. This constraint innovation.

Conclusion

India, for its part, appears to have taken the more conservative approach to European software patenting standards. However, the Ordinance is still useful and relevant in today’s India, notably in our burgeoning domestic semiconductor sector.

This, in conjunction with judicial tempering, may undoubtedly ensure the sensible use of patent protection while enabling the industry to flourish via innovations and inventions, limiting the risks of trivial patents choking the life out of true discoveries and inventions.

This is why a software patent should always be seen as a “two-edged sword,” to be used with care and respect. To get an expert’s help connect with us now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is a Software Patent?

Ans1. A Software Patent is a type of patent protecting the functionality achieved by a computer program, not the code itself.

Q2. Is Copyright the same as a Software Patent?

Ans2. No. Copyright protects the expression of an idea (the code), while a Software Patent protects the functionality of the program.

Q3. Why are Software Patents controversial?

Ans3. Critics argue they stifle innovation by restricting use of existing software concepts.

Q4. What are some things that cannot be patented as software in India?

Ans4. India excludes:

• Mathematical algorithms
• Business methods
• Games
• Literary works

Q5. When might a Software Patent be granted in India?

Ans5. A software invention with a technical application in industry might be patentable.

Q6. Why are Software Patents more complex than others?

Ans6. Separating the technical aspects from the non-patentable code can be challenging.

Q7. What is the first step to getting a Software Patent in India?

Ans7. Consulting a patent lawyer specializing in software patents is crucial.

Q8. What are some arguments against Software Patents?

Ans8. Some argue they hinder innovation by restricting the use of existing software concepts.

Q9. How does India’s approach to Software Patents differ from other countries?

Ans9. India takes a more conservative approach compared to Europe, potentially encouraging innovation.

Q10. What are the potential downsides of Software Patents?

Ans10. They can limit developers’ ability to use existing software and potentially stifle innovation.