For the whole decision click here: o23006
Summary
The application relates to a computerized gaming apparatus for enabling players to play games from an off-site location. In the prior art, a wager is placed followed by the generation and display of results by the apparatus in one sequence of operations. In contrast, in the present invention, the apparatus pre-generates and stores the results following the wager but the player must make a separate request to find out the results which are displayed on a one-by-one basis. This separate request may be made on- or off-site and may be time-shifted from the time of the wager eg to comply with local gaming laws.
Applying the two-step test set out in CFPH LLC’s Application [2005] EWHC 1589 (Pat), t he HO considered that the invention claimed amounted to a method for carrying out a gaming operation and dismissed arguments that increases in speed and efficiency provided the required technical effect to take it outside the computer program exclusion. She observed that whilst the advance was undoubtedly “technical” in the broadest sense of the word and might indeed lead to increased speed and efficiency in the use of computer processing resources, the test was whether this advance provided a relevant technical effect - Shopalotto Ltd’s Application [2006] RPC followed.
She held that the invention was therefore a method for doing business as such and a computer program as such and did not have the necessary technical character for it to be patentable.