IPO This application relates to an electronic gaming machine such as a ‘slot machine’ wherein players begin the game by pulling an arm or pushing a button which in turn rotates a series of reels or an equivalent video representation thereof, if when the reels stop, a winning arrangement of symbols is displayed, the player receives a monetary award, the value of which is determined by the player, who is presented with a series of three masked digits which he is allowed to position in any order. Once positioned, the digits are revealed to show the value of the award.
The hearing officer held that the invention failed the third step of the Aerotel/Macrossan [2006] EWCA Civ 1371 test because the contribution, ‘the method used to determine the value of the award, and in particular the way in which the player is allowed to arrange the order of the digits.’, related to no more than a scheme, rule or method for playing a game and a program for a computer as such.
Judges:
Mr P Slater
Citations:
[2007] UKIntelP o09707, O/097/07, GB0404739.5
Links:
Statutes:
Intellectual Property
Updated: 19 October 2022; Ref: scu.456626