Patent decision

BL number

O/925/22

Concerning rights in

GB1614145.9

Hearing Officer

Dr L Cullen

Decision date

25 October 2022

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

Tik Tok Technologies Ltd

Provisions discussed

Patents Act 1977, sections 76(2), 14(3) and 1(2)

Keywords

Excluded fields (refused)

Related Decisions

None

Summary

The invention relates to a computer program for use in betting. It displays groups of odds relating to football matches on a chronometric dial and allows the user to submit a bet in response to a choice made by this user. It is proposed that this saves the user time and effort in placing complex bets.

In considering the invention as claimed, the Hearing Officer (HO) agreed with the examiner’s view on added matter under s76(3) and, taking account of the added matter, on the applicant’s failure to disclose the invention in a manner clear enough and complete enough for it to be performed by person skilled in the art as required under section 14(3).

The HO also agreed with the examiner’s reasoning using the four step Aerotel test and applying the AT&T signposts as modified in HTC to analyse the contribution and conclude that the invention as claimed did not provide the required technical effect. The invention as claimed related solely to a method for doing business and a program for a computer as such. As the application did not meet the requirements of section 1(2)(c), it was refused under section 18(3).

Full decision O/925/22 210Kb