Russia Loosens Patent Rules for IT Inventions

Russia has removed major regulatory barriers to patenting IT inventions, after the Economy Ministry issued an order clarifying how inventions and utility models in information technology should be examined for patentability.[2]

The change closes a legal gap in registration practice by defining the criteria and features that IT-related technical solutions can use to qualify for patent protection.[2]

• The revision is aimed at making patent filing and examination more predictable for software-adjacent technical solutions.[2]
• Rafael Ayrapetyan, head of the Russian Center for Intellectual Property, said further adjustments are still needed, indicating that the reform is an important step rather than a final fix.[2]
• The move matters beyond Russia because it reflects a broader global trend toward adapting patent systems to digital technologies and programmable inventions.[2]