Industrial Property the Patent system Nurhak AKDOGAN European & French Patent Attorney Pontet-Allano & Associés

Creation / Invention? Invention Creation Author Right Intellect Patent Program code Aesthetic… Invention Device System Method Use Intellect Patent 2

Patenting an invention What’s a patent a title of property (immaterial): monopoly given by state(s) on a novel invention in exchange of publishing it creation: filing + examination Lifetime : 20 years Country dependant François MUNDLER - Cabinet Pontet-Allano & Associés - March 22nd, 2012

Trademarks What’s a trademark Lifetime : renewable - unlimited a title of property (immaterial): monopoly given by state(s) on a distinctive name to identify a product or service Lifetime : renewable - unlimited Country dependant Obtaining it Exploitation

Other kind of Intellectual Property Utility model (simplified patent) Design model (aesthetic & look) Printed board topography Databases Animal production processes Vegetal production processes François MUNDLER - Cabinet Pontet-Allano & Associés - March 22nd, 2012

« Protection » through Utility Patent Patentability A. Criteria for patentability Invention (technical) Novelty (different from prior art) / prior art : all that was publicly disclosed before filing date - world wide Inventive step (non obvious according to prior art) / for someone « skilled in the art » (but not creative) Industrial application (some fields are excluded)

Patentability (in Europe) B. Non Inventions only aesthetic only mental acts (business, social) C. Non patentable (for morality or philosophy reasons) Medical field (FR: L611-16 / EPC: A53) : Biological field (FR: L611-19 / EPC: A53) : Human body (FR: L611-18 / EPC: A53-R29) (for other reasons) Computer program “as such” (FR: L611-10 / EPC: A52)

Biological matter (in Europe) Many exclusions to patentability (R28, R29) Processes for cloning human beings Processes for modifying the germ line genetic identity of human beings Uses of human embryos for industrial or commercial purposes Processes for modifying the genetic identity of animals (when painful without medical benefit to man or animal) The human body Sequence of a gene (industrial application could be)

Biological matter (in Europe) Many exclusions to patentability Stem cells, when leading to destructing the embryo Animal & vegetal varieties Biological processes for producing animals or vegetals (micro-biological processes may be patented)

Software inventions Differences according to countries USA : no restriction (initially) ↑ other countries: various situations… ↓ Europe : non-patentability (for the program in itself) 1973 ~2010

What kind of invention New solution to a known technical problem Selecting an optimal solution for a problem, within a wide range of known solutions Identifying a new technical effect of a known method, device or system Formulating a new technical problem 11 François MUNDLER - Cabinet Pontet-Allano & Associés - March 22nd, 2012

Property of who? Moral right : stay to the inventor Patrimonial rights : initially -> inventor researcher, specific contract -> assignment of rights independent, unspecified contractor -> inventor

Defining the protection A. Structure of a patent document Background – prior art Brief summary – generic exposition Detailed description –examplary embodiment Claims Drawings (annexes : DNA sequences, program code, etc.)

The patent document: Specification « Title » Introduction Present invention is related to … Background Field of the invention is … It is currently known to … (drawbacks / currently proposed solutions / remaining problems) Object of invention An object of the invention is to … Summary of the invention The invention proposes a … (generic definition ≈ main claims) Advantages These features (limitations) enable to solve the problem of … List of figures figure 1 illustrates … Description of an examplary (preferred) embodiment As seen in figure 1, device according to the invention comprises… Other embodiments (Applications)

The patent document: Claims 1. Device for, wherein… 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein … 3. Device to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein … …………………………………………………………………………………………… 1. Method for data processing, comprising the following steps : receiving a data of …, computing at least a result data based on received data, through a process of …, transmitting said result data to … … 1. Compound comprising … 1. Pharmaceutical compound for treating stomachal ulcer, comprising … FIGURES ANNEX (ABSTRACT)

Managing this property right / for the Proprietor B. Obtention Filing Extending Examination process Validating in local countries Maintaining Cost / deadlines

Multi-national granting processes : Timelines

What rights for the patentee What kind of « protection » a right to forbid (-> country) Limits of protection A. limits on product (only once) B. limits on monopoly (#private, experimenting…) C. limits from general interest a restricted right (criteria, exception, lifetime…) a disputed right (commercial freedom, open software…) rights compared with scientific publication

Managing this property right / for the Proprietor A. Making value Tactical monopoly Strategical monopoly Money making licensing Cross-licensing Plus-value et selling Immaterial actives in balance accounting

Managing this property right / for the Proprietor B. Defense Detecting infringing activities Notifying Judicial action Infringement action Defending the patent Country dependant Stakes (benefits) / risks (invalidation)

…in 2012 2,35 millions of patent applications, and more than one million patents issued… 694 000 for national applicants 439 000 for foreign applicants

…in 2012 2,35 millions of patent applications, and more than one million patents issued… 694 000 for national applicants 439 000 for foreign applicants

In conclusion Summary Industrial property : a panel of resources a patent may protect : a technical innovation, that can be described and carried out through a monopoly right based on: the application initial content (at filing date) a money making tool, to be synchronized with other publications a two-ways weapon – others may have it too François MUNDLER - Cabinet Pontet-Allano & Associés - March 22nd, 2012