EPO Extends PCT Business Method Search Ban until March 2007

According to the January 2005 PCT Newsletter, on 27 January 2005, the International Bureau received a notification from the European Patent Office (EPO) prolonging the period for which the limitation of the EPO’s competence as International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) in the field of business methods is applicable:

“The limitation of the EPO's competence as a PCT Authority concerning the field of business methods as set out in paragraph 1(a) and (b) of the Notice from the President of the EPO of 26 November 2001 and due to expire on 1 March 2005, is to be prolonged for a further period of 2 years from 1 March 2005, i.e. until 1 March 2007.�