WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION One of the most vexing problems in modern patent law is defining the boundaries of what constitutes allowable subject-matter for a patent. Over 40 years ago, the
In recent years, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has been determining the patentability of computer-implemented and other patent applications by identifying the problem and solution set out in the application. This "problem-solution" approach resulted in CIPO's rejection of many such applications. Applicants have attempted to overcome such objections by the patent office by including physical aspects of the computer in the claims.
In
On
The Commissioner's decisions were based on the problem-solution approach
The 130 Application and the 146 Application relate to Benjamin Moore's Color Selection System, a computer-implemented colour selection method that uses experimentally derived relationships for colour harmony and colour emotion.
In
In
Parties proposed alternate approaches
Benjamin Moore appealed the two decisions, asserting that the Commissioner had erred by using the problem-solution approach at the expense of identifying the essential elements of the claims. The Appellant asked the Court to remit the matter to CIPO for re-examination in accordance with the principles of
The Intervener, IPIC, also asserted that the Commissioner erred in applying the problem-solution approach, and proposed the following straightforward framework for the assessment of patentability of computer-implemented inventions:
- Purposively construe the claim.
- Ask whether the construed claim as a whole consists of only a mere scientific principle or abstract theorem, or whether it comprises a practical application that employs a scientific principle or abstract theorem.
- If the construed claim comprises a practical application, assess the construed claim for the remaining patentability criteria: statutory categories and judicial exclusions, as well as novelty, obviousness, and utility.
The Respondent conceded that the Commissioner erred in applying the problem-solution approach but requested that the Court remit the matter back to CIPO for re-examination in accordance with Choueifaty. The Respondent did not take a position on IPIC's proposed framework but argued that the Court should not impose a particular framework.
Court adopts IPIC's three-step framework
The Court agreed with all the parties that the Commissioner had erred in applying the problem-solution approach in assessing the subject-matter eligibility of the 130 Application and 146 Application, and should have followed the finding in Choueifaty and applied a purposive construction.
The Court adopted the legal framework proposed by IPIC, which was consistent with
The Court also found that the Commissioner erred by identifying only the novel aspects of the claims and determining that the novel aspects are unpatentable as mere scientific principles or abstract theorems.
The Court noted that the framework set out in this decision would ensure that the law is applied consistently for patent applications and issued patents as well as computer-implemented inventions and other types of inventions.
Key takeaways
Building on Choueifaty, the Benjamin Moore decision should end any further use of the problem-solution approach by CIPO when determining subject-matter eligibility of computer-implemented patent applications.
Benjamin Moore also provides clarity by including a framework to assess the patent eligibility of computer-implemented inventions. The primary issue will be whether the properly construed claims contain a "practical application" that employs a scientific principle or abstract theorem. In the
The decision further clarifies that assessing subject-matter eligibility of computer-implemented inventions is not limited to identifying the novel aspects of the claims and determining whether these novel aspects are patentable. All essential elements of the claims must be identified according to the principles set out in
It is unclear whether this decision will make it easier for applicants to establish subject-matter eligibility, although the IPIC framework will make it much more difficult for CIPO to bring elements of its problem-solution approach back into the analysis. It is possible that the decision will shift CIPO's focus when reviewing computer-implemented inventions from subject-matter eligibility to other patentability criteria such as, for example, anticipation, obviousness, utility and sufficiency of the specification.
This decision remains subject to appeal.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
Mr
P.O. Box 50
ON M5X 1B8
E-mail: jebrown@osler.com
URL: www.osler.com
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