
Logic Patents > Reviews > EuroParl 03-09-24 > Amendments > JURI > Interoperate
JURI	CAI	Technical	Contribution	Publish	Interoperate	Reject

Interoperability Exemption from Patent Enforcement

Many groups have tabled amendments that exempt or pretend to exempt interoperation between two systems from patent enforcement. Given that the primary purpose of the directive is to clarify the rules for granting rather than enforcement, this is really a side issue, and the time constraints on the 2nd reading do not allow the Parliament to study it in depth. There is no good reason not to stick to the version from the 1st reading. Several of the variants are equally acceptable. An separate interoperability definition is worthwhile. However many of the submitted variants serve to make the interoperability exemption toothless, e.g. by making it dependent on vague notions such as "dominant player", whose application depends on costly competition procedings, or by excluding free/opensource software (under the guise of "reasonable and non-discriminatory" licensing terms), or by introducing the abstract terms of Art 30 TRIPs directly into European law as a limiting condition.

Amendment 66

submitted by:: Othmar Karas
provision:: art 2 pt b a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	"Interoperability" means the ability of a computer program to communicate and exchange information with other computer programs and mutually to use the information which has been exchanged, including the ability to use, convert, or exchange file formats, protocols, schemas, interface information or conventions, so as to permit such a computer program to work with other computer programs and with users in all the ways in which they are intended to function.
justification
It is necessary to design the meaning of interoperability.

Amendment 69

submitted by:: Arlene McCarthy
provision:: art 2 pt b a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	"Interoperability" means the ability of a computer program to communicate and exchange information with other computer programs and mutually to use the information which has been exchanged, including the ability to use, convert, or exchange file formats, protocols, schemas, interface information or conventions, so as to permit such a computer program to work with other computer programs and with users in all the ways in which they are intended to function.
justification
This amendment clarifies that the physical use of a computer cannot be considered as the "technical contribution".

Amendment 80

submitted by:: Piia-Noora Kauppi
provision:: art 2 pt b c nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	"Interoperability" means the ability of a computer program to communicate and exchange information with other computer programs and mutually to use the information which has been exchanged, including the ability to use, convert, or exchange file formats, protocols, schemas, interface information or conventions, so as to permit such a computer program to work with other computer programs and with users in all the ways in which they are intended to function.
justification
It is necessary to define the term "interoperability" in the articles.

Amendment 84

submitted by:: Michel Rocard
provision:: art 2 pt b d nov
language:: French
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	"interopérabilité" signifie la capacité pour un programme informatique de communiquer, échanger des informations avec d'autres programmes informatiques et utiliser mutuellement l'information échangée, ce qui comprend la capacité d'utiliser, de convertir et d'échanger des formats de fichiers, des protocoles, des schémas et des informations relatives à des interfaces ou des conventions, afin de permettre à ce programme informatique de communiquer et de coopérer avec d'autres programmes informatiques et avec des utilisateurs de toutes les façons dont ils sont destinés à interagir.
justification
Il est essentiel, d'autre part, dans le cadre de cette directive, de fournir une définition précise de l'interopérabilité et des actes qui lui sont nécessaires.

Amendment 145

submitted by:: Michel Rocard
provision:: art 6 par 1 bis nov
language:: French
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Les Etats membres veillent à ce que, lorsque le recours à une technique brevetée est nécessaire afin d'assurer l'interopérabilité entre deux systèmes ou réseaux informatiques différents, cela dans le cas où il n'existe pas d'alternative technique non brevetée aussi efficace permettant d'obtenir l'interopérabilité entre les deux systèmes, ni ce recours, ni le developpement, l'expérimentation, la fabrication, la vente, la cession de licences, ou l'importation de programmes mettant en oeuvre cette technique brevetée ne soient considérés comme une contrefaçon de brevet.
justification
La préservation de l'interopérabilité suppose la capacité, non seulement de pouvoir le cas échéant effectuer des opérations de rétro-ingéniérie pour déterminer les caractéristiques des protocoles et interfaces de communication avec lesquelles il s'agira de communiquer, mais également de pouvoir réaliser et commercialiser effectivement de tels produits interopérables. L'article 6.2, autorisé par l'article 30 de l'accord ADPIC, est nécessaire pour empêcher de possibles graves distorsions de la concurrence sur le marché intérieur du fait que la mise sur le marché de produits interopérables constituerait toujours une contrefaçon des revendications d'un brevet.

Amendment 146

submitted by:: Evelin Lichtenberger, Monica Frassoni
provision:: art 6 subpar 2 nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that, wherever the use of a patented technique is necessary in order to ensure interoperability between two different computer systems or networks, in the sense that no equally efficient and equally effective alternative non-patented means of achieving such interoperability between them is available, such use is not considered to be a patent infringement, nor is the development, testing, making, offering for sale or license, or importation of programs making such use of a patented technique to be considered a patent infringement.
justification
Article 6 of the Council only refers to the exemption provided for by the copyright directive; this means that a developer is allowed to use reverse engineering to make his software interoperable with that of a competitor but afterwards he needs to be able to distribute, sell and use the interoperable software he developed.

Amendment 147

submitted by:: Andrzej Jan Szejna
provision:: art 6 subpar 2 nov
language:: Polish
topic:: Interoperate
recommendation:: ++

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that whenever it is necessary to use a patented technology solely to ensure the conversion of standards used in two different data processing systems in order to ensure communication and data exchange, such use is not considered breach of patent.
justification

Critique

well-worded version of the interoperability privilege.

Amendment 148

submitted by:: Toine Manders
provision:: art 6 par 2 nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that a patented computer-implemented invention that is essential for enabling interoperability between programmable devices can be used on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions by third parties to enable interoperability between programmable devices. If a voluntary license on reasonable commercial terms and conditions cannot be obtained within a reasonable period of time, Member States shall apply Article 31 TRIPS to such a patented invention. It shall not be deemed reasonable if a potential licensee is forced to license its own technology that is essential for interoperability without any compensation or to agree to abstain from enforcing his own rights on such technology.
justification
A compulsory license subject to Art. 31 TRIPs ensures access to interoperability technology, an incentive to innovate because the patentee receives an adequate remuneration, an incentive to early publication of new technology because patenting still makes sense and an adequate remuneration for the patentee thereby balancing the public interests above with the patentee's private interest. Paragraph 3 ensures that a dominant player cannot force somebody else to waive his patent rights.

Amendment 149

submitted by:: Othmar Karas
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that, wherever the use of a patented technique is necessary in order to ensure interoperability between two different computer systems or networks, in the sense that no equally efficient and equally effective alternative non-patented means of achieving such interoperability between them is available, such use is not considered to be a patent infringement, nor is the development, testing, making, offering for sale or license, or importation of programs making such use of a patented technique to be considered a patent infringement.
justification
It is necessary to have the interoperability exception in articles.

Amendment 150

submitted by:: Klaus-Heiner Lehne
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that the non-commercial use of an interface for the sole purpose of ensuring interoperability with an otherwise non-infringing product, system, network, or service does not constitute a patent infringement. Any person requesting a licence for such use on a commercial basis may require the patent owner to grant a licence to the patented interface for such use on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and on adequate conditions. This article applies without prejudice to the TRIPs agreement.
justification
This amendment aims at keeping interoperability as one of the cornerstones of the information and communications technology. Electronic products need to be able to communicate and interoperate. To strike the proper balance between the rights of the patent owner to enjoy the full benefits of the patent, the third party´s interest to develop interoperating products, as well as the public interest to prevent unjustified monopolies on standards.

Amendment 151

submitted by:: Klaus-Heiner Lehne
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that, where the use of an interface, which is protected by a patent for a computer-implemented invention, is indispensable for the sole purpose of ensuring interoperability, such as to ensure conversion of the conventions used in two different computer systems or network in order to allow communication and exchange of data content between them, this use of the interface is not considered to be a patent infringement.
justification
Where an interface protected by a patent is necessary to allow interoperability, the use of the interface cannot be regarded as a matter of patent infringement.

Amendment 152

submitted by:: Klaus-Heiner Lehne
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that wherever an interface which is protected by a patent for a computer-implemented invention is indispensable for the sole purpose of ensuring interoperability such as to ensure conversion of the conventions used in two different computer systems or network in order to allow communication and exchange of data content between them, the use of the interface is not considered to be a patent infringement.
justification
Where an interface protected by a patent is necessary to allow interoperability, the use of the interface cannot be regarded as a matter of patent infringement.

Amendment 153

submitted by:: Klaus-Heiner Lehne
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: German
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Die Mitgliedstaaten stellen sicher, dass in allen Fällen, in denen der Einsatz einer patentierten Technik für die Konvertierung der in mindestens zwei verschiedenen Computersystemen verwendeten Konventionen unverzichtbar ist, um die Kommunikation und den Austausch von Dateninhalten zwischen den Computersystemen zu ermöglichen, einem Lizenzsucher dieser patentierten Technik ein Anspruch auf Einräumung einer Lizenz zu angemessenen Bedingungen (Zwangslizenz) gegenüber dem Rechteinhaber zusteht. Die Regelungen des TRIPS-Übereinkommens bleiben unberührt.
justification

Amendment 154

submitted by:: Piia-Noora Kauppi
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that wherever the use of a patented technique is needed for the sole purpose of ensuring interoperability of two different computer systems or networks so as to allow communication and exchange of data content between them, such use is not considered to be a patent infringement. Member States must ensure that the court may require a patent owner to grant a licence for such use having regard to the public interest in permitting access to the patented technique, provided that a licence is not otherwise available for such use on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions.
justification
Interoperability must be ensured in articles and it should not be considered as patent infringement.

Amendment 155

submitted by:: Arlene McCarthy
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Interoperability exception The developing, testing, making, using, offering for sale or license, selling, licensing, or importing of a patented computer-implemented invention shall not require the authorisation of the patent owner, to the extent that use of the patented computer-implemented invention is indispensable to achieve the interoperability of the computer program with one or more other computer programs, in the sense that no equally efficient and equally effective alternative non-patented means of achieving such interoperability between them is available. The exceptions set out in this Article may not be interpreted in such a way as to allow its application to be used in a manner which unreasonably prejudices the right holders legitimate interests or unreasonably conflicts with a normal exploitation of the computer implemented invention, taking account of the legitimate interests of third party software developers to achieve interoperability and of end-users to have access to interoperable programs systems and networks and the need to use data on different computer systems.
justification
Ensures compatibility with the software copyright directive and ensures users have access to interoperable programme systems and networks.

Amendment 156

submitted by:: Barbara Kudrycka, Tadeusz Zwiefka
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that, wherever the use of a patented technique is needed for the sole purpose of ensuring conversion of the conventions used in two different data processing systems so as to allow communication and exchange of data content between them, such use is not considered to be a patent infringement.
justification
Interoperability of data processing systems (e.g. computers) lies at the foundation of the information economy and allows for fair competition by all players large and small. Article 6 of the Council only refers to the exemption provided for by the Copyright directive. This means that a software developer is allowed to find out how to make his data processing system interoperable with that of a competitor, but afterwards he cannot necessarily use his gained knowledge, since that could be covered by patents. This amendment makes sure that patents also cannot be used to prevent interoperability. It was passed in an almost identical form by ITRE and JURI prior to the first reading ("data processing systems" read "computer systems or networks"). In first reading, a more sweeping version of this amendment was passed, which appeared as Article 9 in the consolidated version. The expression "for the sole purpose" reverts to the spirit of the original ITRE/JURI version of the interoperability exemption (which is more limited), which was also supported by Luxembourg and several others in the Council (but didn’t make it).

Amendment 157

submitted by:: Fausto Bertinotti
provision:: art 6 a nov
language:: English
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Member States shall ensure that, wherever the use of a patented technique is needed for the sole purpose of ensuring conversion of the conventions used in two different data processing systems so as to allow communication and exchange of data content between them, such use is not considered to be a patent infringement.
justification
Interoperability of data processing systems (e.g. computers) lies at the foundation of the information economy and allows for fair competition by all players large and small. Article 6 of the Council only refers to the exemption provided for by the Copyright directive. This means that a software developer is allowed to find out how to make his data processing system interoperable with that of a competitor, but afterwards he cannot necessarily use his gained knowledge, since that could be covered by patents. This amendment makes sure that patents also cannot be used to prevent interoperability. It was passed in an almost identical form by ITRE and JURI prior to the first reading ("data processing systems" read "computer systems or networks"). In first reading, a more sweeping version of this amendment was passed, which appeared as Article 9 in the consolidated version. The expression "for the sole purpose" reverts to the spirit of the original ITRE/JURI version of the interoperability exemption (which is more limited), which was also supported by Luxembourg and several others in the Council (but didn’t make it).

Amendment 159

submitted by:: Manuel Medina Ortega
provision:: art 6 bis nov
topic:: Interoperate

amendment
	Los Estados miembros garantizarán que, donde quiera que el uso de una técnica patentada sea necesaria, con el único propósito de asegurar la conversión de los convenios utilizados en dos sistemas diferentes de procesamiento de datos a fin de permitir la comunicación y el intercambio entre ellas del contenido de sus datos, tal uso no sea considerado una violación de patente.
justification
La interoperabilidad de los sistemas de procesamiento de datos (como, por ejemplo, los ordenadores) subyace a la economía de la información y permite la competencia leal por todos los operadores grandes y pequeños. El artículo 6 del texto del Consejo solamente hace referencia a la exención prevista por la directiva de los derechos reservados. Esto significa que se permite a un creador de programas informáticos descubrir cómo hacer interoperable su sistema de procesamiento de datos con el de un competidor, pero no puede más tarde utilizar el conocimiento adquirido, puesto que éste podría estar cubierto por patentes. Esta enmienda asegura que las patentes tampoco puedan ser utilizadas para impedir la interoperabilidad. Esto se aprobó de una forma casi idéntica por ITRE y JURI antes de la primera lectura(la segunda parte subrayada decía La mención "el único propósito" hace referencia al espíritu de la versión original ITRE/JURI de esta enmienda.

[ 2005-05-04 JURI Amendments to the Software Patent Directive | Defining "Computer Aided/Implemented Invention" | Defining "Technical" and "Field of Technology" | Definitions of Technical Contribution | Freedom of Publication | Interoperability Exemption from Patent Enforcement | Reject the Directive ]

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© 2005-06-12 Hartmut PILCH
english version 2005-03-20 by Hartmut PILCH