EPLAW PATENT BLOG

EPO – G 2/ 12 and G 2/13 – Tomatoes II and Broccoli II

Posted: March 27th, 2015

Enlarged Board of Appeal EPO, G 2/ 12 and G 2/13, Tomatoes II and Broccoli II, 25 March 2015, with thanks to DX Thomas for alerting us to the decision

1. The exclusion of essentially biological processes for the production of plants in Article 53(b) EPC does not have a negative effect on the allowability of a product claim directed to plants or plant material such as a fruit.

2. In particular, the fact that the only method available at the filing date for generating the claimed subject-matter is an essentially biological process for the production of plants disclosed in the patent application does not render a claim directed to plants or plant material other than a plant variety unallowable.

3. In the circumstances, it is of no relevance that the protection conferred by the product claim encompasses the generation of the claimed product by means of an essentially biological process for the production of plants excluded as such under Article 53(b) EPC.

 Read the decisions here.

Leave a Reply