The invention related to text mining using mathematical techniques such that information can be presented in a way that can be more easily understood or evaluated by a user. The Board of Appeal noted that it is a fundamental question whether such an invention is within a field of technology. It can hardly be regarded as forming a physical entity nor does the method result in a change in the data, but merely in their representation. It could therefore be argued that the invention is essentially a mathematical method pursuant to Article 52(2)(a) EPC, resulting in a presentation of information pursuant to Article 52(2)(d) EPC.
A full summary of this case has been published on Kluwer IP Law.
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