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 113Kb