The patentability of computer-related inventions (CRIs) has long been a fervently discussed issue worldwide. The Delhi High Court, the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) and the Indian Patent Office (IPO) have drafted various additional requirements for the exclusions under Section 3(k) of the computer-related invention (CRI) guidelines. In its amendments, the IPO has removed the requirement of linking CRIs to novel hardware in order to avoid being excluded under Section 3(k). In view of many stakeholder objections, an effort has been made to clarify the official position of the IPO.
