Industrial Property Law

To be patentable, an invention must be capable of industrial application (Article L. 611-10, 1 IP Code). An invention is considered as such if its object can be manufactured or used in any kind of industry, including agriculture (Article L. 611-15 IP Code).
The concept of industry is to be understood in a broad sense. It implies the uninterrupted and independent exercise of an activity for profit  …

Industrial application

To be patentable, an invention must be capable of industrial application (Article L. 611-10, 1 IP Code). An invention is considered as such if its object can be manufactured or used in any kind of industry, including agriculture (Article L. 611-15 IP Code).

The concept of industry is to be understood in a broad sense. It implies the uninterrupted and independent exercise of an activity for profit , and covers all human activities, including crafts, agriculture and trade. Included in the notion of industry are undertakings whose purpose is to beautify the human or animal body, such as beauty salons . On the other hand, an invention is not susceptible of industrial application when its implementation is applied in the private and personal sphere .

The condition of industrial application is met if the object of the invention can be manufactured or used , even if the invention does not achieve the desired result  or if the result obtained is imperfect . On the other hand, purely abstract creations that have no application in practical life are not susceptible of industrial application. This is the case for scientific results described in a vague or speculative manner, so as not to reserve an unexplored field of research to the patent applicant . Thus, industrial application is not recognized for a substance naturally present in the human body when its function is unknown or complex and not fully understood, no disease or disorder has yet been identified as being attributable to an excess or deficiency of it, and no other practical use is suggested .

EPO, Technical Board of Appeal, 27 March 1986, T 144/83, OJ EPO 1986, 301.

EPO, Technical Board of Appeal, 27 March 1986, T 144/83, OJ EPO 1986, 301, which specifies that a method of aesthetic treatment, in this case a product to induce weight loss, constitutes an invention capable of industrial application; EPO, 6 May 1985, T 36/83, OJ EPO 1986, 295.

EPO, Technical Board of Appeal, 9 November 1994, T 74/93, OJ EPO 1995, 712, which relates to the application of a contraceptive method.

CA Paris, 28 October 2005, LawLex202200002222JBJ.

CA Paris, 17 October 2017, LawLex202200002117JBJ.

CA Paris, 20 September 2006, LawLex202200002124JBJ; CA Paris, 6 January 2006, LawLex202200002125JBJ; CA Paris, 28 October 2005, LawLex202200002222JBJ.

See in particular. Cass. com. 27 November 1978, LawLex202200002118JBJ.

EPO, Technical Board of Appeal, 11 May 2005, T 0870/04.

Industrial Property Law

267. Industrial application

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Les décisions de justice citées dans ce paragraphe :

Les notions juridiques connexes

267. Industrial application

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Les décisions de justice citées dans ce paragraphe :

Les notions juridiques connexes

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