Patent decision

BL number
O/544/15
Concerning rights in
GB1318156.5
Hearing Officer
Mr B Buchanan
Decision date
23 November 2015
Person(s) or Company(s) involved
BANDAI NAMCO Games Inc.
Provisions discussed
section 1(2)
Keywords
Excluded fields (refused)
Related Decisions
None

Summary

The application is concerned with a network system which enables a player to play a game via a computer network using game cards carrying game information.

The claims define a network system comprising a game card, a display object; and a server and a terminal which exchange information via a network. The display object includes serial information, which is used to limit the number of game cards and terminals the player can register. The Applicant argued that the contribution was technical because system security was improved by preventing illegal and unauthorised use of game cards. The Hearing Officer applied the four step Aerotel test, and the AT&T signposts as modified in HTC v Apple and decided that the contribution relates solely to a method for doing business and a program for a computer as such. The application was refused under section 18(3).

Full decision O/544/15 PDF document113Kb