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THE SUBJECT PATENT

6. In order to evaluate patent eligibility and for clear understanding of the term "computer program per se", it would be appropriate to first discuss the subject patent, its technical features and technical application.

7. Microsoft claims that the subject patent provides a technical solution to achieve secure authentication by a user while accessing one or more sub- locations in a network address. It involves a two-tier authentication by way of two different cookies. They contend that conventionally, computer server allow users to access information stored at a network location, within various sub-locations thereof, such as individual directories of one or more servers or individual servers of a server farm. To prevent unauthorized access to the network locations and their various sub-locations, user(s) authentication for accessing network location(s) is carried out in the following manner:

"4. The argument given by applicant for the objection of the office letter dated 28/03/2019 is not convincing due to the following reasons:

The invention is a method/system for performing two level authentications based on cookies. Cookies are the files created by the website and are locally stored in the memory which is nothing but a set of instructions. The alleged invention provide a technique for authentication involve use of two different cookies for authenticated access to a client computer accessing a sub-location in a network location which is a set of instruction in the form of an algorithm performed by the general computing device. The subject matter of claims 1-28 represent a set of algorithm to execute the said instructions in a pre defined sequential manner. It has been implemented on a conventional computing devices and software environment. In claims of the instant alleged invention, computer programs are claimed in the form of system/method claims to process the steps and execute the algorithm.

- one for the network location and another for the sub-location - the subject patent provides a more secure authentication process that is not vulnerable to cookie theft. The technical contribution of this invention is the technique of using two different cookies for providing authenticated access to a client computer accessing a sub-location(s) within a network location, which simplifies user interaction with content received from feeds. Overall, the subject patent enhances the security of accessing sub-locations of network locations and streamlines the user experience.

41. During the hearing, the Patent Office defended its decision by arguing that the invention is at the user-interface level and, hence non-patentable. This 2023:DHC:3342 understanding, absent in the impugned order, also cannot be sustained. This is because the subject patent's technical effect and contribution goes beyond the user-interface level. The invention provides a technical solution to the security risk associated with using cookies to authenticate users for sub- locations within a network location. The use of two different cookies for providing authenticated access to a client computer accessing sub-location(s) in a network location ensures that even if both cookies are stolen by a malicious user, the malicious user cannot gain unhindered access to other sub- locations within the network location. This technical solution goes beyond the user-interface level and provides a technical effect and contribution, that is patentable. The technical aspects of the invention, such as the use of cookies and two-factor authentication, are fundamental to the functioning of computer networks and are not limited to the user-interface. These aspects are vital for safeguarding access to network locations and their corresponding sub- locations, representing a critical concern for both businesses and individuals. Additionally, the use of multiple cookies for authentication is a technical solution that goes beyond mere user interface design and involves complex network-level communication protocols. The technical aspects of the invention are closer to the heart of computer and network technology, rather than user-interface. Furthermore, the fact that the invention improves the user experience does not necessarily mean that it is limited to the user-interface. User experience is undoubtedly an important aspect of any technology, and improvements in this area result from technical advancements at various levels in the computer architecture. The subject patent significantly enhances user experience; however, this improvement is a result of the technical solution it provides at a deeper level within the network. This solution enables 2023:DHC:3342 more secure and efficient and streamlined access to network locations and sub-locations, demonstrating the impact of the underlying technical advancements. Therefore, it would be incorrect to exclude the claimed invention on the basis that it is limited to user-interface. The technical aspects discussed above are fundamental to the functioning of computer networks and provide a significant technical contribution to the field.