Patent decision

BL number

O/064/05

Concerning rights in

GB0017772.5

Hearing Officer

Mr H Jones

Decision date

14 March 2005

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

Shopalotto.com Limited

Provisions discussed

PA.1977 sections 1(2)(c) and 1(2)(d); Official Ruling 1926A

Keywords

Excluded fields (refused)

Related Decisions

None

Summary

The application relates to an Internet lottery game in which the usual numbers are replaced with brand representations of commercial products or services. The invention allows products or services to be advertised to players playing the game and for the lottery operator to charge the brand owner for the privilege. It was argued that the substance of the invention was an apparatus for playing a game and was not excluded by section 1(2). The Hearing Officer found that the substance of the invention was the mere presentation of information which fell within the section 1(2)(d) exclusion. He failed to find a technical contribution that would make such an excluded invention patentable.

Full decision O/064/05 36Kb