EPO publishes internal review of software patenting

Following a public consultation in April 2009, the European Patent Offices’s internal “Enlarged Board of Appeal” today published their review of their policy of granting software patents. Early analysis suggests they rubber stamp their current practice.

UPDATE: see newer entry, EPO rules own software patents review inadmissible

The EPO’s related documents:

• The 99 page review
• EPO press release: EBoA confirms EPO approach to computer programs
• Old info: Referral by the President to the EBoA, 23 October 2008 regarding divergent decisions of two boards of appeal
• Old info: Pending referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal (G 3/08)

And some background info on en.swpat.org:

• EPO EBA referral G3-08
• Briefs submitted to EPO EBA G3-08
• EPO G3-08 brainstorming

Aside from the content of the opinion, the big question is: does the EPO really have authority to decide this sort of question?