CLR I B 4.3.1 One surgical step in a multi-step method

In G 1/07 the Enlarged Board upheld the principle confirmed in opinion G 1/04 (OJ 2006, 334) and underlying the whole body of practice and jurisprudence hitherto (see e.g. T 820/92 (OJ 1995, 113)), that a method claim falls under the prohibition on patenting methods for treatment by therapy or surgery now under Art. 53(c) EPC if it comprises or encompasses at least one feature defining a physical activity or action that constitutes a method step for treatment of a human or animal body by surgery or therapy. The principle is not only formally justified by the fact that the exclusion under Art. 53(c) EPC does not contain any limitation as to the defined methods being excluded only when claimed as such. More importantly, it is also justified as to substance, i.e. it enables the legislative purpose served by the exclusion to be achieved (see in this chapter I.B.4.1.).

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EPC Articles

Offical Journal of the EPO

Case Law Book: I Patentability

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law