August 15, 2004

Update On The Action By The Department For Education And Skills Against Frontline Technology Limited [Ftl]
Relating To European Patent: Ep 0664 061

The Judgment handed down on the 17th of June held that the Patent ("European Patent: EP 0664 061") was valid in part.

We have previously explained that the vast majority of the grounds of attack on the validity of the patent made by the Department for Education & Skills ("the DfES") were rejected by the court. The principal ground of attack where the DfES was successful related to a computer system using file-sharing architecture at Kingshurst City Technology College in the early 1990s.

The Court ordered that unless the Patent was amended, then it would be revoked. Frontline has therefore now applied to the court to amend the Patent, in the light of the Court's findings. The amendments seek to ensure that the Patent does not cover computer systems using file-sharing architecture, such as that used at Kingshurst City Technology College. The precise details of the proposed amendments will be published in due course.

Frontline hopes that it will be possible to conclude the amendment proceedings at an early date.