Startups.ie

[Treadstone]

Hi again,

Can an app be patented? What if you thought up the idea yourself, but unluckily somebody got there before you? Or is it just the coding that can be patented? And you are free to go and build it anyway you can?

Thanks,
T

[murphy]

I don't think you can patent an app - well I guess it depends what it does.
Something like angry birds - there is nothing unique about this game, I am guessing they don't have any patents but would have a number of trade marks taken out on the name Angry Birds, the character design, music etc.

I doubt there would be anything stopping you creating a similar concept - launch birds into the air and knock down buildings.

If they created a new programming language to develop the game they could patent that.

From my understanding a basic way of thinking about patents is 'you patent new technologies and trademark new ideas'

[BCanatolia]

Most of the time an app can't be patented. In the EU, software can be patented but it has to be a "non-obvious" development and show original invention. There's a lot of gray area and the law is still being worked out. In other countries similar standards usually apply but the details differ. Bottom line: maybe; consult a lawyer.

[kevosi]

Why would you need a patent on an app, you would obviously have the copyright on he app anyway. I thought a patent would be more related to how something works, but then again there are mechanisms within an app that may be patent worthy I guess.

[daizy550]

It is usually not easy to be granted patent. Even if you filed for a patent today it would take a long time before you get awarded one.

[kvuy45]

I have an iphone application that I want to launch but I am worried that people copied it soon and launch similar iphone apps. Can we file a patent for an iphone application?
thanks