human: To what extent is patenting of software possible in Europe?
assistant: The European Patent Office's assessment practice distinguishes between software "as such" for which it is not possible to obtain patent protection, and software with a "technical character". A software is of technical character if1) the software itself solves a technical problem (for example control and regulation systems) or2) an additional technical effect is generated when the software is executed, physical changes to the hardware such as they occur during every software execution not being sufficient. Assuming the novelty and merit of invention criterion has been met; most patent offices recognize such software as patentable that has for instance one of the following additional technical effects:• faster execution times,• increased data transfer rates,• more effective data storage,• higher resolution, for instance in high image processing,• simplified manipulation of computer graphics,• more effective data compression,• higher effectiveness of a data filter.Even though software may be patentable is not always the best commercialization route.