Comviva Technologies Limited v. Assistant Controller of Patents & Design

This case involved an appeal against the refusal of a patent application for a method and devices for authenticating electronic payment cards. The Controller had rejected the application, citing that the claims described a 'business method' and 'computer programme per se,' making them non-patentable under Section 3(k) of the Patents Act. The High Court found that the invention, despite its components, primarily enhanced security for transactions rather than defining a business method or being solely a computer program. The court concluded the invention offered a technical solution to a technical problem in contactless payments. Therefore, the High Court overturned the Controller's decision and ordered the grant of the patent. Result: The appeal was allowed; the Controller's refusal order was set aside and the Patent Office was directed to grant the patent for the subject application.