Bonum Certa Men Certa

To Team UPC the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Has Become a Joke and the European Patent Office (EPO) Never Mentions It Anymore

This means that another shallow attempt to nail software patents onto Europe (through courts, not patent offices) may have failed for good

Joke



Summary: The EPO's frantic rally to the very bottom of patent quality may be celebrated by obedient media and patent law firms; to people who actually produce innovative things, however, this should be a worrisome trend and thankfully courts are getting in the way of this nefarious agenda; one of these courts is the FCC in Germany

THE PAST few days have been rather quiet at the European Patent Office (EPO) and its staff union, SUEPO, which posted no updates for nearly a fortnight. There are still some documents being passed around, but nothing particularly interesting. We've been keeping an eye on those.



"The EPO likes disguising software patents, dubbing them "blockchain", "AI", "ML", "4IR", "SDV, "MedTech", "FinTech, "EdTech", "ICT", "CII", IoT", "Industry 4.0" and so on."Very much as expected, a flood of puff pieces about so-called 'results' (in respective countries and sectors) are being 'reported' on; we saw several dozens of puff pieces in the UK, Germany, Poland and so on (even composed in English in countries that don't speak English). Many articles made it seem like it's a corporate competition, e.g. "Siemens is the leader in European patent applications" and "Huawei drops to 2nd place in European patent filings in 2018". We don't wish to waste time on these because we responded on the same day these 'results' came out and promised to move on to other matters. A lot of these 'new' patents are software patents. The EPO likes disguising software patents, dubbing them "blockchain", "AI", "ML", "4IR", "SDV, "MedTech", "FinTech, "EdTech", "ICT", "CII", IoT", "Industry 4.0" and so on. Sounds innovative, right? And also vague enough to mislead already-overburdened examiners.

“The backlash isn't just European but international. Ethiopians, for instance, feel robbed.”IP Kat cited Watchtroll as a source about EPO 'results' in this morning's post which, as usual, lacks any criticism of the EPO. "The Kluwer Patent Blog reports on the results of the EPO's online user consultation concerning a procedural option for postponing examination of a European patent application," it said, ignoring all the negative posts from the same author. António Campinos is in charge now, so IP Kat must act as though everything is perfect (and even delete all comments sceptical of Campinos because that's just "rude"). These people may find it acceptable that the EPO ignores the rules, ignores the courts, ignores its founding document and routinely ignores international law. It might also find the corruption, abuses and suicides acceptable. What do they care as long as there are patent applications and lawsuits? That, after all, is their business. But the sinister ongoing affairs come at a great cost, not just to the UPC but to the EPO itself. Already, as we've routinely noted here, there is more backlash against fake patents (c/f Teffgate). The backlash isn't just European but international. Ethiopians, for instance, feel robbed.

Just before the weekend we saw this press release about intent to grant; pay attention to the fact that there was an opposition, the number of which soared in recent years. To quote:

Shield Therapeutics PLC (LON:STX) said the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided in favour of the company in relation to a patent for its lead product Feracru, an iron deficiency treatment.

The AIM-listed firm said that the decision, made by the EPO’s opposition division, related to patent #2 668 175, which covers a "Process for preparing an iron hydroxypyrone".


Are examiners feeling independent enough to reject a lot of patent applications without facing 'production'-related consequences? "Professional incompetence," as the Office likes to call it? The problem is that many software patents are also being granted; these just aren't being called that as words like "AI" better disguise the real nature.

Days ago José Santacroce (Moeller IP Advisors, Argentina) wrote in Mondaq about the Enlarged Board Of Appeal's case that can put an end to software patents, but can the Board rule on it independently, as per the EPC alone rather than fear? Santacroce wrote:

The invention disclosed in European patent application No. 03793825.5 (IPC: G06F17/50) relates to a computer-implemented method, computer program and apparatus for simulating the movement of a pedestrian crowd through an environment.

The main purpose of the simulation is its use in a process for designing a venue such as a railway station or a stadium. The application is based on the insight that human interaction can be expressed and simulated in the same way as interactions of physical objects.


It's about much more than this single case. "Simulation" is the word they keep using, but by extension this may cover more or less all computer programs/algorithms. Even patent maximalists have publicly admitted this. They worry.

“It's about much more than this single case. "Simulation" is the word they keep using, but by extension this may cover more or less all computer programs/algorithms.”And speaking of public admissions, Managing IP, a key proponent/advocate of the UPC (setting up pro-UPC events for the EPO and Team UPC), has just touched the subject of UPC and it's all humour. Charlotte Kilpatrick wrote about yet another UPC 'debate' and it went like this:

The speculation was mostly humorous with panellists and audience members doubting whether or not the UPC will ever come to fruition as a complaint against it is currently stuck in the German court system. Some on the panel speculated that the courts might be waiting for the fallout from Brexit before making any ruling.

Away from the UPC, Stephane Drouin, chief IP counsel at UCB, commented on how IP is vital to industrial strategy and that UCB is committed to staying in the UK even after Brexit. Clemens Heusch, head of European IP litigation at Nokia, said in a separate talk that how you litigate a patent dispute depends on the patent and the product. He commented that for a pharmaceutical product, companies would ideally fight in every jurisdiction. If you’re dealing with mobile phones with a portfolio of 20,000 families, however, you need to pick and choose your battles carefully.


They changed subject rather fast. There's not much to say about the UPC (it's hardly being mentioned anymore, even in new articles like "Brexit: Bracing for IP Changes"). The EPO never mentions it.

We have meanwhile taken note of today's ads from Patent Docs, with the usual propagandistic headlines/titles.

“If the US software patent proponents can be forced to admit their loss (a diplomatic challenge to say the least) then it will provide leverage against the EPO's illegal activities, if only in the name of "harmonization".”
      --Anonymous
Here's one titled "JMLS Program on Oil States v. Greene's Energy and Patents as Property Rights"; No, technically and legally patents are neither property nor rights.

How about patents on life disguised as “life science”, as in this ad?

In relation to the EPO they posted this some time in the morning. Notice how American patent lawyers (the litigation 'industry') speak as though they 'own' Europe and the UPC gets mentioned only once:

The Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC) International Patent Committee will be presenting a program entitled "Practical and Strategic Guide to the European Patent System: From Filing to Grant, Validation, Unitary Patent and Other Options to Obtain Protection in Europe" on March 21, 2019 from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm (CT) at DePaul College of Law in Chicago, IL. The program will provide an overview of the patenting options available in Europe (national vs. regional), the grant stage of a European Patent -- future options after grant (Unitary Patent or EP validation?), and efficient ways to obtain patent protection in Europe.


3 more lame "webinars" were advertised today -- ads that nowadays account for the majority of posts there. We used to tackle/debunk these more exhaustively/thoroughly, but it is no longer a priority.

"UPC was all along a plot to accomplish many bad things, the least of which bypassing European courts to impose or legitimise software patents in Europe."The matter of fact is that "[s]oftware patents are almost completely dead in the US," as one reader told us this morning. "I think a metaphorical stake and garlic are still needed to ensure they stay that way for the foreseeable future.

"If the US software patent proponents can be forced to admit their loss (a diplomatic challenge to say the least) then it will provide leverage against the EPO's illegal activities, if only in the name of "harmonization"."

UPC was all along a plot to accomplish many bad things, the least of which bypassing European courts to impose or legitimise software patents in Europe. That certainly has not worked.

Recent Techrights' Posts

Microsoft Lunduke is Just Provoking People for Provocation's Sake
Be forewarned and remember where this guy came from: Microsoft
 
Informal Open Letter to the Lawyer of the Microsofters (on Who's Funding the SLAPPs Against Techrights)
Whenever I ask about the funding they try to change the subject and act all aggressive
Hate Mail From Anonymous Cowards
if this persists, we'll need to escalate
Besieged by Plagiarists Who Play With LLMs and Image Fusions
We really need to exercise or use our collective voice to oppose Serial Sloppers
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Friday, August 08, 2025
IRC logs for Friday, August 08, 2025
Gemini Links 09/08/2025: Water Painting and Political Violence
Links for the day
Slopwatch: LLM Sloppers in Google News, LinuxSecurity, and More
they also perpetuate some falsehoods as the LLMs lack any comprehension
Links 08/08/2025: China King of Plastics and US Dictator Plans to Meet Russian Dictator
Links for the day
Gemini Links 08/08/2025: Cracking a Family Member's Password and Overdose of Slop
Links for the day
Red Hat's Latest Talent Hunt, Day Ahead of Mass Layoffs, is Yet Another Microsoft Executive
Red Hat will apparently commence mass layoffs early this coming Monday
Links 08/08/2025: "Quit Facebook" and High Cost of Microsoft/Windows Shown Again ("BlackSuit")
Links for the day
Good Morning, Readers of The Register MS
Things The Register MS could (but does not) cover this morning
Why Gemini Protocol Has a Bright Future
Maybe Gemini Protocol's promise becomes more appealing as the Web turns to slop and bloat
It's a Lot Easier to Participate in the Unethical System Than to Oppose Injustices in It
Going after powerful and high-budget interests is never easy
Microsofters Filed Two SLAPPs Against Us, Now They Cannot Keep Up With Judges' Orders
For over 4 months already their facilitator in London has been under investigation by British authorities because of what's being done to my wife and I
Censorship Regarding Red Hat Layoffs
Talk about this? They'd rather not.
Struggling to Cut Costs, Microsoft Continues Shutting Down and Cancelling Stuff This Month
There are August layoffs at Microsoft
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Thursday, August 07, 2025
IRC logs for Thursday, August 07, 2025
Fake 'Linux' Articles, Written by Bots to Take Traffic Away From Real Articles
LLM slop helps replace information with junk or misinformation
When Google's Googlebombing of "Gemini" Was Not Enough; They Now Also Googlebomb "Gemini Space"?
We know GAFAM not only worries about Gemini Protocol but also attempts to 'infiltrate' Geminispace
The Register MS Promotes Microsoft Slop, Assumes All Readers Use Microsoft Windows
Microsoft really dominates the site
Gemini Links 08/08/2025: KDE/Qt Development and What's Missing From "Retro"
Links for the day
Links 07/08/2025: US Punishes India Instead of Russia, Attacks Law Firms to Prevent Scrutiny
Links for the day
Read Us in Geminispace as Well
it's definitely a lot simpler than using a Web browser
Once a Site About BSD and GNU/Linux, and After Months of Silence, LinuxBSDos.com Comes Back Only as a Slopfarm
very frustrating
Links 07/08/2025: Hardware Wars, Mass Recall of Colgate Total Clean Mint, More Microsoft Holes Found
Links for the day
Gemini Links 07/08/2025: "Right To Manage" and LoRa Analysis
Links for the day
For the First Time in a Month OSI's "OpenSource.org" Blogs and It's Basically a Microsoft Blog Post (Microsoft Controls OSI)
For the first time in a month OSI writes something and it is Microsoft propaganda composed by a Microsoft-salaried operative
Microsoft, Already Borrowing 3 Billion Dollars a Month, is Trying to Cause Many People to Resign
MSN (i.e. Microsoft) and others openly admit it
GAFAM 'Says' is Front Page "News"
The point of journalism is to check and assess facts, not parrot what people and companies merely claim
Links 07/08/2025: Apple Makes False Promises, More Trouble for Microsoft
Links for the day
OSS Didn't Always Mean Open Source Software
"oligarchs all the way down"
The Register MS Does More Microsoft Sez or GitHub Sez (Says) Pieces
60 minutes ago
They Want Activists to Just Barely Walk and Eat, Not Do Activism Anymore
It's sort of like the ending of '1984'
Quit Perpetuating the Narrative of Gemini Protocol 'Dying' (It's False)
The "whisper campaign" against Gemini Protocol
Criticising Social Control Media in Social Control Media
Many people are quitting Social Control Media (fewer of them announce this in public)
Non-Free JavaScript Programs in Banks Aren't Even the Biggest Problem
Technology was supposed to make life easier; in practice, however, for most of us the opposite effect can be observed
Slopfarms Are Typically Fake News
Slopfarms typically relay falsehoods
Gemini Links 06/08/2025: Replacing a Pocket Watch and Buying in Bulk
Links for the day
IBM is Obliterating Fedora
"Fedora releases were shipping with an increasing number of bugs on launch day even while I was using it for a several year stretch."
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Wednesday, August 06, 2025
IRC logs for Wednesday, August 06, 2025