In November 2023, the UK High Court ruled that artificial neural networks(ANN) itselfThe court held that, because the invention is not a computer program, it is not subject to the patent ineligibility grounds for "computer programs" ([2023] EWHC 2948 (Ch)).
Following this ruling, the UK was expected to reach a different examination outcome regarding the eligibility of computer program-related inventions than the general EPO approach.
However, the situation changed dramatically, and on July 2024, 7, ANN was deemed to be equivalent to a computer program without exception.The computer program itselfis excluded from patent eligibility in the UK ([2024] EWCA Civ 825).
An appeal against this decision is planned to be made to the UK Supreme Court. As for future developments, there is a possibility that the patent eligibility of ANN will be reconsidered, but at present, attention is focused on whether the UKIPO will amend or revoke its current examination guidance.