The COMVIK approach refers to the second hurdle to software patentability.
Here, only those features in the patent claim which contribute to the solution of a technical problem are taken into account in the inventive step assessment, whereas the non-technical features are ignored.
The COMVIK approach was first introduced in the landmark decision T 0641/00 (Two identities/COMVIK).
For a more in-depth explanation, look here. The knowledge base contains many examples of patentable and unpatentable software.
Bastian is a European patent attorney and a partner at BARDEHLE PAGENBERG. He specializes in software patents in Europe both from a prosecution and litigation point of view.