美國Bilski案判決改變以往State Street Bank案所建立的「有用、具體及有形結果」測試法,而以「機器或轉換」作為專利適格性的重要測試法,惟「機器或轉換」測試法能否適切的解決商業方法專利適格性的問題,仍有疑義,應如何詮釋與適用即有疑問。歐洲專利實務上,歐洲專利公約雖明文排除電腦軟體與商業方法本身為專利保護客體,但對於電腦軟體與商業方法仍有以專利保護之必要,如何去詮釋歐洲專利法上的技術性要件即為專利適格性的關鍵問題,2000年的PBS案後逐漸放寬對專利適格性之要求。歐美商業方法專利之發展是否亦有相互影響與和諧化之可能,本文希冀藉由歐美比較案例研究之方式,來探討商業方法的可專利性。 我國專利審查基準雖已明確肯認電腦軟體專利之可專利性,且關於涉及軟體應用的商業方法專利,亦肯認其存在的空間。但如何去審酌商業方法專利的可專利性,應著重於專利適格性抑或是新穎性與進步性之檢驗,現行我國實務案件多以進步性來審酌商業方法的可專利性,而較少觸及專利適性的論述。於美國Bilski案後,對於我國現行的電腦軟體相關發明的審查實務,是否有所衝擊與影響?本文將試圖整理歐美商業方法專利的重要案例,並歸納統整歷來的測試基準,相互比較分析。最後,本文亦引介近期國內外學者對於此議題之論著,彙整實務與學術的見解,就此議題進行更深入之探討,希望從中得到有用之啟示。
The Supreme Court of United States in Bilski decision has changed the important eligibility test rule from “useful, concrete, and tangible result”established by State Street Bank case to “machine or transformation” test. But how to apply and explain “machine or transformation” test, and could that test rule to solve the eligibility problem is still a question. In European patent practice, the European Patent Convention excludes computer software and business method as such from patentable subject matter. But there is the need for computer software and business method to grant patent protection. So the key point of eligibility in Europe is how to explain technical character. In 2000, PBS case has relaxed the requirement of technical character. European and American patent practice development influence each other, and is there possibility of harmonization on eligibility issue? The thesis will discuss patentability of business method by comparative study on European and American case law. Taiwan patent examination guidelines approve of computer software patent, and also approve of software related business method patent. But how to determine the patentability of business method? It should focus on patentable subject matter or novelty and non-obvious. Taiwan court decision usually put the emphasis on novelty and non-obvious rather than patentable subject matter. After Bilski case, could it has impact on Taiwan patent examination? The thesis will analysis American and European case law, and comparatively study test rule of all time. Furthermore, the thesis will summarize scholarly opinions and patent practice to discuss this issue more deeply, and then find the revelation from the comparative study.