Source: http://tuftythecat.blogspot.com/2012/
Timestamp: 2017-09-22 18:48:55
Document Index: 386937083

Matched Legal Cases: ['CJEU ', 'CJEU ', 'CJEU ', 'EWCA ', 'CJEU ', 'CJEU ', 'CJEU ', 'CJEU ']

Tufty the Cat: 2012
Posted by Tufty the Cat at 09:41 No comments:
Labels: entitlement, section 12
I have taken some interest over the past few years in where the boundary of patentable inventions lies. This has mostly involved consideration of the word "technical" and what it means, which tends to get tiring after a while. It therefore makes a nice change to see something come along about a boundary of patentability that has nothing to do with computers or business methods (except perhaps in a very tangential way). This was a decision from the UK IPO in International Stem Cell Corporation (BL O/316/12), which was published last month. Rather than section 1(2), which has been the subject of a vast number of decisions over the past few years at the IPO, this one related to the less well chartered backwaters of Schedule A2, paragraph 3 of which states:
Two applications were filed in 2006, which were then published as GB2431411A and GB2440333A. The applications were both objected to by the UK IPO examiner under paragraph 3(d), other objections relating to novelty, inventive step, clarity and support having been overcome. The compliance period in each case had been extended in order to await the decision of the CJEU in case C-34/10, OliverBrüstle v Greenpeace, the outcome of which had a direct bearing on the remaining issue to be resolved (see the IPKat here for more on the Brüstle case).
Each application concerned methods of producing human stem cells, in which parthenogenesis (illustrated on the figure to the right; more information is available here) was used to activate a human oocyte, i.e. stimulating the oocyte to divide without having been fertilised by a human sperm cell, resulting in what was termed a “parthenote” to distinguish it from an embryo resulting from fertilisation. The first application related to the production of human stem cells from such parthenotes, while the second related to synthetic corneas derived from parthenotes. The issue to be decided was whether the claimed methods, stem cell lines or resulting tissue constituted use of human embryos for industrial or commercial purposes and were therefore unpatentable under paragraph 3(d). Neither the Act nor Directive 98/44/EC, which Schedule A2 implemented, provided a definition of what constituted an “embryo”. The examiner argued that the parthenotes of the invention fell within the definition of “human embryo” in light of the decision in Brüstle and also the definition provided by Section 1 of the UK Human Fertilisation andEmbryology Act 2008. In Brüstle the CJEU had held that "any non-fertilised human ovum whose division and further development have been stimulated by parthenogenesis constitute a 'human embyro' within the meaning of Article 6(2)(c) of the Directive" (paragraph 38 of the judgment). The hearing officer considered that on the face of it this statement gave clear and unambiguous direction that the applications should be refused.
The applicant argued that, since the parthenogenetically-activated human oocytes of the invention were not capable of commencing the process of development of a human being, the CJEU's decision was based on a flawed factual basis and should not be binding. In support of this the applicant cited several documents as evidence that a parthenote could never develop to term due to an inherent biological limitation. A set of amended claims was filed to clarify that the stem cells were only derived from parthenotes that could never overcome such limitations. The hearing officer accepted that on the evidence presented, the parthenotes of the invention were incapable of continued development and could never turn into a human being, but did not accept that the CJEU was necessarily wrong in deciding the way it did based on the observations put to it. The UK courts were entitled to disregard a finding of fact made by the CJEU, as they did in Factortame [2000] 1 AC 524 and Arsenal v Reed [2003] EWCA Civ 969. The same principle would also apply to the UK IPO but, as the lowest level of tribunal, the hearing officer considered that the greatest of caution should be exercised before departing from any aspect of the CJEU's decision. Noting the point made in Arsenal v Reed that the operative part of a judgment from the CJEU should always be interpreted in light of the preceding reasoning, the hearing officer considered that the conclusion of the CJEU relating to non-fertilised human ova stimulated by parthenogenesis should not be taken in isolation from the preceding reasoning, which was that patent law should be applied so as to respect the fundamental principles safeguarding the dignity and integrity of the person. The concept of "human embryo" must therefore be understood in a wide sense since parthenogenetically-activated human oocytes were capable of commencing the process of development of a human being. A distinction was made by the hearing officer between commencing and completing the process of development, comparing this with a train entering a tunnel and going through to the other end. Even though the parthenotes of the invention were not capable of completing the process (coming out of the tunnel), the CJEU did not make this distinction and did not take on board comments by the advocate general on this point. The decision of the CJEU on this point could not therefore be ignored. The hearing officer concluded that the invention defined in each of the applications, whether amended or not, defined methods and products that were excluded. The applications were refused.
Posted by Tufty the Cat at 19:47 5 comments:
"A method of developing a golf swing and fitting/making golf equipment to said swing, comprising:
forming a secure golf grip using only a body's limbs, whereby a golf swing can be performed absent any extraneous, swing-influencing elements, including but not limited to golf clubs and other golf equipment;
developing a limb-only golf pre-swing and/or swing of any style using said golf grip, whereby said pre-swing and/or swing can be developed absent any extraneous, swing-influencing elements, including but not limited to golf clubs and other golf equipment, that can affect the movement(s) and/or position(s) of said pre-swing and/or swing;
fitting/making at least one golf club and/or other piece of golf equipment in accordance with the characteristic(s) of the developed pre-swing and/or swing, whereby at least one part and/or specification of the at least one golf club and/or other piece of golf equipment is selected and/or adjusted to reproduce the limb- only movement(s) and/or position(s) as accurately as possible when using the at least one golf club and/or other piece of golf equipment; and
further fitting/making said equipment by means of ball travel and/or other non- swing-influencing aspect(s) of golfing performance."
Posted by Tufty the Cat at 12:58 3 comments:
With great sadness this weblog regrets to inform its readers of the death of the real Tufty the cat. Tufty, who spent several happy years at his owners' country home after being rescued in 2006, died suddenly this morning after a suspected heart attack.
Tufty, who took a great interest in the legal papers that one of his owners kept bringing home, was the inspiration for the pseudonymous writer of many items on the IPKat weblog, from his first appearance in August 2007 (here) through to his departure from the IPKat in January 2011 to begin this weblog in order to pursue his own path among the esoterica of patent law. His proudest moment was being mentioned by Lord Hoffmann in relation to the amicus brief Tufty submitted to the EPO on G 3/08 (details of which can be found here and here). He was also proud of his more minor contribution to the UK IPO opinions service.
In real life, Tufty was a very loving cat and was often to be found obscuring papers and computer monitors at his home, looking for affection. His favourite food was fresh baby rabbits (caught by himself), and he loved a vigorous head rub from his owners.
Tufty's owners would like to express their gratitude to the charity Cats Protection for looking after Tufty and his friend Pod while they were waiting to be homed and for providing them with such a special cat. He will be greatly missed.
Posted by Tufty the Cat at 21:09 7 comments: