算法相关专利申请的客体审查规则——浅析“计算机系统内部性能改进”的理解与适用

Examination criteria of patentability of algorithm-related patent applications—analysis of the understanding and application of"computer system internal performance improvement"

近年来,涉及算法的发明专利申请数量逐年攀升,为满足创新主体保护算法相关创新成果的迫切需求,国家知识产权局对《专利审查指南2010》(以下简称《指南》)第二部分第九章作出适应性修改,进一步明确规定了算法相关专利申请的审查规则。该文首先回顾了《指南》关于“计算机系统内部性能”的相关规定,结合若干典型案例,阐述了如何正确理解“计算机系统内部性能”的含义,诠释了何谓“算法特征与计算机系统的内部结构存在特定技术关联”,并辅以案例解读,以期进一步厘清涉及计算机系统内部性能改进的客体判断规则及其在不同情形下的具体适用。

In recent years,the number of algorithm-related patent applications has been increasing year-by-year.In order to meet the urgent needs of protecting the innovations related to algorithms,China National Intellectual Property Administration updated Part 2 Chapter 9 of The Guidelines of Patent Examination 2010 to further illuminate the examination criteria and principles referring to algorithm-related patent applications.This paper reviews the relevant provisions of the Guidelines about"computer system internal performance",expounds how to correctly understand the meaning of"computer system internal performance"in combination with several typical cases,illustrates the meaning of"a specifi c technical association of algorithmic features with the internal structure of computer system",and supplements the case interpretation to further explain how to apply the above examination criteria and principles in different situations.