□ The purpose of this revision was to clarify the examination criteria for computer related inventions including business related inventions. Business related inventions are computer system inventions that realize business ideas through computers, networks, and software. Rapid development and the spread of information technology in recent years has mobilized the submission of business related inventions. Such submissions are surging in such service sectors as advertising, distribution, and finance. This is widely upsetting businesses not familiar with intellectual property rights. In order to justly aid businesses and clarify the process, a revision of the examination criteria is necessary.

□ This revision reflects changes in the examination at the working level. Examination criteria for computer related inventions were established with the enactment in 1984 and amended twice in 1995 and 1998. After the revision in 1998, many cases of examinations, trials, and judgments were accumulated regarding computer related inventions. This caused large changes in the examination works and the examination criteria had to take account of the changes.

□ The new criteria explains specific requisites for patents, and requirements for applications. Especially, the revision details criteria of the ‘invention’ for computer related inventions to conform to Article 2 Clause 1 of Patent Act. In addition, criteria for progressiveness, a scope of a patent and written description of an invention are explained in depth with examples.

□ The revised criteria also seeks simplicity. Finally, only content relevant to the topic is included.

□ The KIPO began to enforce the newly revised criteria on April 15 and strengthened public relations by publishing and distributing brochures, placing an announcement on its homepage, and holding presentations on the changed criteria.

□ A KIPO staffer mentioned, “Submissions for business related inventions have been increasing. I think this revision is very timely and will be useful to inventors, applicants, patent attorneys, examiners, and trail examiners all together.”