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Proposed directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions
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<p>The Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions (Commission proposal COM(2002) 92), procedure number 2002/0047 (COD) was a proposal for a <a href="/facts/European_Union/6GYcR8qM">European Union</a> (EU) <a href="/facts/European_Union_directive/KS076mKR">directive</a> aiming to harmonise national patent laws and practices concerning the granting of <a href="/facts/Software_patent/wI6RrYh3">patents for computer-implemented inventions</a>, provided they meet certain criteria. The <a href="/facts/European_Patent_Office/T7ExjvB1">European Patent Office</a> describes a computer-implemented invention (CII) as "one which involves the use of a computer, computer network or other programmable apparatus, where one or more features are realised wholly or partly by means of a computer program". </p><p>The proposal became a major focus for conflict between those who regarded the proposed directive as a way to codify the case law of the <a href="/facts/Appeal_procedure_before_the_European_Patent_Office/5EzschGu">Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office</a> (unrelated to the EU institutions) in the sphere of computing, and those who asserted that the directive is an extension of the <a href="/facts/Patentability/wdAPEnPU">patentability</a> sphere, not just a harmonisation, that ideas are not patentable and that the expression of those ideas is already adequately protected by the law of <a href="/facts/Copyright/7GHEWEx9">copyright</a>. </p><p>Following several years of debate and numerous conflicting amendments to the proposal, the proposal was rejected on 6 July 2005 by the <a href="/facts/European_Parliament/H9WLUd1r">European Parliament</a> by an overwhelming majority of 648 to 14 votes. </p>