The initiative of the commission of the European Union (EU) for harmonizing of patent law with respect to computer implemented inventions finally failed by the negative decision of the EU parliament on July 6, 2005. After several years of a tough battle between supporters and opponents of the directive, the huge majority of the members of parliament was of the opinion that it would be better to have no directive than to have a decayed compromise.

Thus the current jurisdiction of the boards of appeal of the European Patent Office and of the national courts and offices will further apply for computer implemented inventions and the harmonization of the patent law throughout Europe has to be achieved by jurisdiction.

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