UKPO Consulatation on Inventive Step

The UK Patent Office is considering the following questions in its Consultation on the the inventive step requirement in United Kingdom patent law and practice.

• Is the inventive step requirement for patentable inventions in the United Kingdom right for inventors, the public at large, and the UK economy?
• Are too many "trivial patents" being granted?
• Or are innovation and competitiveness best served by easy patenting with low hurdles?

A feedback form is provided in the full consultation and feedback form (PDF file 1Mb) for any responses and should be returned to the Patent Office by 31 May 2006.