Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks

Subject Matter

PATENT — Invention — Exclusion from patentability — Patent application claiming system for training artificial neural network using pairs of files and applying learning from process — Training stage involving computer program — Whether invention excluded from patentability as “program for a computer … as such” — Whether program making technical contribution outside itself sufficient to avoid exclusion — Patents Act 1977 (c 37), s 1(2)(c)

[2023] EWHC 2948 (Ch); [2024] Bus LR 14; [2023] WLR(D) 500, Ch D

PATENT — Invention — Exclusion from patentability — Patent application claiming system for training artificial neural network using pairs of files and applying learning from process — Training stage involving computer program — Whether invention excluded from patentability as “program for a computer … as such” — Whether program making technical contribution outside itself sufficient to avoid exclusion from patentability — Patents Act 1977 (c 37), s 1(2)(c)

[2024] EWCA Civ 825; [2024] Bus LR 1589; [2025] 1 All ER 790; [2024] WLR(D) 339, CA

PATENT — Invention — Exclusion from patentability — Patent application claiming system for training artificial neural network using pairs of files and applying learning from process — Whether invention excluded from patentability as “program for a computer … as such” — Whether program making technical contribution outside itself sufficient to avoid exclusion from patentability — Patents Act 1977 (c 37), s 1(2)

[2024] EWCA Civ 825; [2024] Bus LR 1589; [2025] 1 All ER 790; [2024] WLR(D) 339, CA

Appellate History

Commentary

UK Human Rights Blog
Is an Artificial Neural Network a computer programme ineligible for patent protection? Case comment