Patents Act 1953 (reprint as at 13 September 2014), New Zealand, WIPO Lex

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English Patents Act 1953 (reprint as at 13 September 2014)

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Patents Act 1953 (reprint as at 13 September 2014)

Patents Act 1953 (reprinted as at 13 September 2014)

Reprint as at 13 September 2014

Patents Act 1953

Public Act 1953 No 64 Date of assent 26 November 1953 Commencement see section 1(2)

Contents Page

Title 7 1 Short Title and commencement 7 2 Interpretation 7 2A Act preserved for patent attorney provisions 11 3 Commissioner of Patents [Repealed] 12 4 Assistant Commissioners of Patents and other 12

officers [Repealed] 5 Patent Office [Repealed] 12 5A Closing of Patent Office at short notice [Repealed] 12 6 Officers and employees of Patent Office not to acquire 12

interest in any patent or prepare specifications [Repealed]

Application, investigation, opposition, etc [Repealed]

7 Persons entitled to make application [Repealed] 12 8 Application [Repealed] 12 9 Complete and provisional specifications [Repealed] 13 10 Contents of specification [Repealed] 13

Note Changes authorised by subpart 2 of Part 2 of the Legislation Act 2012 have been made in this official reprint. Note 4 at the end of this reprint provides a list of the amendments incorporated. This Act is administered by theMinistry of Business, Innovation, andEmployment.

Reprinted as at Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

11 Priority date of claims of complete 13 specification [Repealed]

corresponding applications overseas [Repealed]

etc [Repealed]

acceptance [Repealed]

specification [Repealed]

12 Examination of application [Repealed] 13 13 Search for anticipation by previous publication [Repealed] 13 14 Search for anticipation by prior claim [Repealed] 13 15 Commissioner may require information as to 13

16 Reference in case of potential infringement [Repealed] 13 17 Refusal of application in certain cases [Repealed] 14 18 Supplementary provisions as to examination, 14

19 Time for putting application in order for 14

20 Acceptance and publication of complete 14

21 Opposition to grant of patent [Repealed] 14 22 Refusal of patent without opposition [Repealed] 14 23 Mention of inventor as such in patent [Repealed] 14 24 Substitution of applicants, etc [Repealed] 14 25 Provisions for secrecy of certain inventions [Repealed] 15 26 Inventions relating to atomic energy [Repealed] 15

Treaty application [Repealed]

26A Treaty application deemed to be application accompanied 15 by complete specification [Repealed]

date [Repealed]

specification [Repealed]

application [Repealed]

26B Description, claims, and drawings [Repealed] 15 26C International filing date [Repealed] 15 26D Commissioner to provide international filing 15

26E Amendments to documents forming part of complete 16

26F Treaty application void [Repealed] 16 26G Requirements for examination of Treaty 16

26H Publication of Treaty applications [Repealed] 16

Grant, effect, and term of patent [Repealed]

27 Grant and sealing of patent [Repealed] 16

applicant [Repealed] 28 Amendment of patent granted to deceased 16

29 Extent, effect, and form of patent [Repealed] 16 30 Date and term of patent [Repealed] 17

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953

32 33 34

Extension on ground of inadequate remuneration [Repealed] Extension on ground of war loss [Repealed] Extension on ground of war loss of licensee [Repealed] Patents of addition [Repealed]

17 17 17

35 36

Restoration of lapsed patents and patent applications [Repealed]

Restoration of lapsed patents [Repealed] Restoration of applications where patent not sealed [Repealed] Restoration of application where complete specification not accepted [Repealed]

17 17

39 40

Amendment of specifications [Repealed]

Amendment of specification with leave of Commissioner [Repealed] Amendment of specificationwith leave of court [Repealed] Supplementary provisions as to amendment of specification [Repealed]

18 18

41 42 43

Revocation and surrender of patents [Repealed]

Revocation of patent by court [Repealed] Revocation of patent by Commissioner [Repealed] Surrender of patent [Repealed]

18 19 19

44 45

Voluntary endorsement of patent [Repealed]

Endorsement of patent “licences of right” [Repealed] Cancellation of endorsement under section 44 [Repealed]

19 19

46 47 48

49 50 51 52

Compulsory licences, etc [Repealed]

Compulsory licence [Repealed] Provisions as to licences under section 46 [Repealed] Exercise of powers on applications under section 46 [Repealed] Endorsement, etc, on application of Crown [Repealed] Revocation of patent [Repealed] Inventions relating to food or medicine, etc [Repealed] Procedure on application under sections 46 to 50 [Repealed] Appeal and references to arbitrator [Repealed]

19 19 20

20 20 20 20

Reprinted as at Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

54 Supplementary provisions [Repealed] 20

Use of patented inventions for services of the Crown [Repealed]

55 Use of patented inventions for services of the 21 Crown [Repealed]

emergency [Repealed]

56 Rights of third parties in respect of Crown use [Repealed] 21 57 Reference of disputes as to Crown use [Repealed] 21 58 Special provisions as to Crown use during 21

58A Nature and scope of rights under section 55 [Repealed] 21 58B Duty to inform owner [Repealed] 21 58C Patentee entitled to remuneration [Repealed] 21

Anticipation, etc [Repealed]

59 Previous publication [Repealed] 22

foreign application [Repealed]

60 Previous communication, display, or working [Repealed] 22 61 Use and publication after provisional specification or 22

62 Priority date in case of obtaining [Repealed] 22

Miscellaneous provisions as to rights in inventions [Repealed]

63 Co-ownership of patents [Repealed] 22

co-owners [Repealed] 64 Power of Commissioner to give directions to 22

65 Disputes as to inventions made by employees [Repealed] 23 66 Avoidance of certain restrictive conditions [Repealed] 23 67 Determination of certain contracts [Repealed] 23

Proceedings for infringement, etc [Repealed]

68 Restrictions on recovery of damages for 23 infringement [Repealed]

patent [Repealed]

infringement [Repealed]

specification [Repealed]

licensee [Repealed]

68A Burden of proof for infringement of process 23

68B Regulatory review exception [Repealed] 23 69 Order for account in action for infringement [Repealed] 23 70 Counterclaim for revocation in action for 24

71 Relief for infringement of partially valid 24

72 Proceedings for infringement by exclusive 24

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953

73 Certificate of contested validity of specification [Repealed] 24 74 Remedy for groundless threats of infringement 24

proceedings [Repealed] 75 Power of court to make declaration as to 24

non-infringement [Repealed] 76 Attorney-General may appear in patent 24

proceedings [Repealed]

International agreements, etc [Repealed]

77 Orders in Council as to convention countries [Repealed] 25 78 Supplementary provisions as to convention 25

applications [Repealed] 79 Special provisions as to vessels, aircraft, and land 25

vehicles [Repealed] 80 Extension of time for certain convention 25

applications [Repealed] 81 Protection of inventions communicated under international 25

agreements [Repealed] 82 Regulations under section 80 or section 81 [Repealed] 25

Register of patents, etc 83 Register of patents [Repealed] 25 84 Registration of assignments, etc [Repealed] 26 85 Limitation of proceedings [Repealed] 26 85A Application of Personal Property Securities Act 26

1999 [Repealed] 86 Commissioner may dispense with production of probate 26

or letters of administration in certain cases [Repealed] 87 Rectification of register of patents by court [Repealed] 26 88 Correction of errors [Repealed] 26 89 Evidence of entries, documents, etc 26 90 Requests for information as to patent or patent 27

application [Repealed] 91 Restriction upon publication of specifications, 27

etc [Repealed] 92 Loss or destruction of patent [Repealed] 27 93 Commissioner may grant extension of time [Repealed] 27 93A Additional provisions for extending time limits [Repealed] 28

Proceedings before Commissioner [Repealed]

94 Exercise of discretionary powers of 28 Commissioner [Repealed]

Reprinted as at Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

95 Costs and security for costs [Repealed] 28 96 Evidence before Commissioner [Repealed] 28

Appeals [Repealed]

97 Appeals to High Court [Repealed] 28

court [Repealed]

98 Appeals to Court of Appeal [Repealed] 28 99 Costs of Commissioner in proceedings before 29

Patent attorneys 100 Registration of patent attorneys 29 101 Powers of patent attorneys 29 102 Cancellation of registration of patent attorneys 30 103 Restrictions on practice as patent attorney 31 104 Recovery of patent attorney’s charges 32

Offences 105 Falsification of register, etc 32 106 Unauthorised claim of patent rights [Repealed] 33 107 Protection of Royal Arms, etc [Repealed] 33 108 Offences by companies 33 109 Certain offences may be dealt with summarily [Repealed] 33

Miscellaneous 110 Service of notices, etc, by post 34 111 Declaration by person under disability [Repealed] 34 112 Journal, indexes, etc [Repealed] 34 113 Rules of court [Repealed] 34 114 Regulations 34 115 Fees 36 116 Annual report of Commissioner [Repealed] 36 117 Saving for Royal prerogative, etc [Repealed] 36 118 Application of Act to Tokelau [Repealed] 37 119 Repeals and savings [Repealed] 37

Schedule 1 37 Enactments repealed

[Repealed]

Schedule 2 37 Regulations revoked

[Repealed]

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 2

Schedule 3 Transitional provisions

[Repealed]

An Act to consolidate and amend certain enactments relating to patents

1 Short Title and commencement (1) This Act may be cited as the Patents Act 1953. (2) This Act shall come into force on a day to be appointed for the

commencement thereof by the Governor-General by Proclam- ation. Section 1(2): this Act brought into force, on 1 January 1955, by the Patents Act Commencement Order 1954 (SR 1954/220).

2 Interpretation (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

applicant includes a person in whose favour a direction has been given under section 24 and the personal representative of a deceased applicant article includes any substance or material, and any plant, ma- chinery, or apparatus, whether affixed to land or not assignee includes the personal representative of a deceased as- signee; and references to the assignee of any person include references to the assignee of the personal representative or as- signee of that person Commissioner means the Commissioner of Patents convention application has the meaning assigned to it by sub- section (4) of section 7 convention country, in any provision of this Act, means an entity for the time being declared by an order under section 77 to be a convention country for the purposes of that provision court means the High Court date of filing, in relation to any document filed under this Act, means the date on which the document is filed or, where it is deemed by virtue of any provision of this Act or of regula-

Reprinted as at s 2 Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

tions made thereunder to have been filed on any different date, means the date on which it is deemed to be filed exclusive licence means a licence from a patentee which con- fers on the licensee, or on the licensee and persons authorised by him, to the exclusion of all other persons (including the patentee), any right in respect of the patented invention; and exclusive licensee shall be construed accordingly government department means any department or instru- ment of the Executive Government of New Zealand integrated circuitmeans a circuit, in its final or an intermedi- ate form, in which the elements, at least one of which is an active element, and some or all of the interconnections are in- tegrally formed in or on a piece of material and that is intended to perform an electronic function international application means an application made under the Patent Cooperation Treaty for the protection of an inven- tion International Bureau means the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization international filing date means the international filing date given to an international application under Article 11 or Article 14(2) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty invention means any manner of new manufacture the subject of letters patent and grant of privilege within section 6 of the Statute of Monopolies and any new method or process of test- ing applicable to the improvement or control of manufacture; and includes an alleged invention IPONZ means the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand journal means the journal published under section 206 of the Patents Act 2013 Minister means the Minister of Commerce patent means letters patent for an invention Patent Cooperation Treaty— (a) means the Patent Cooperation Treaty, signed at Wash-

ington on 19 June 1970, the text of which, as amended on 2 October 1979 and modified on 3 February 1984,

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 2

is set out in Schedule 1 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992; and

(b) includes any amendments, modifications, and revisions from time to time made to the Treaty, being amend- ments, modifications, and revisions to which New Zealand is a party and by which New Zealand is bound

patent of additionmeans a patent granted in accordance with section 34 Patent Attorney means a person carrying on for gain in New Zealand the business of acting as agent for other persons for the purpose of applying for or obtaining patents in New Zealand or elsewhere patentee, in relation to any patent, means the person or per- sons for the time being entered on the register of patents as grantee or proprietor of the patent prescribed means prescribed by this Act or by regulations made under this Act priority date has the meaning assigned to it by section 11 published, except in relation to a complete specification, means made available to the public; and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision a document shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be published— (a) if it can be inspected as of right at any place in New

Zealand by members of the public whether upon pay- ment of a fee or otherwise; or

(b) if it can be inspected in a library of a government de- partment or of any institution or public authority and the library is one which is open generally to members of the public who are interested in matters to which the document relates and is a library in which members of the public in search of information related to the sub- ject of the document would ordinarily seek and do in fact seek the information

receiving Office has the same meaning as in Article 2(xv) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty the Statute of Monopolies means the Act of the 21st year of the reign of King James the First, chapter 3, intituled “An Act

Reprinted as at s 2 Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

concerning monopolies and dispensations with penal laws and the forfeiture thereof” Treaty application means an international application— (a) which contains a request specifying New Zealand as

a designated State under Article 4(1)(ii) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty; and

(b) which has been given an international filing date Treaty regulations— (a) means the regulations made under the Patent Cooper-

ation Treaty and set out in Schedule 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992; and

(b) includes any amendments from time to time made to those regulations.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (3) of section 7, so far as it re- lates to a convention application, and for the purposes of sec- tion 81, the expression personal representative, in relation to a deceased person, includes the legal representative of the de- ceased appointed in any country outside New Zealand.

(3) In the case of an entity that is a convention country but is not a State, part of a State, or a territory for whose international relations a State is responsible,— (a) a reference in this Act to—

(i) application for protection in a country; or (ii) application for protection in respect of a coun-

try,— must be read as a reference to application for protection under the rules of the entity:

(b) a reference in this Act to filing a specification in a con- vention country must be read as a reference to filing a specification under the rules of the entity:

(d) a reference in this Act to the Government of a conven- tion countrymust be read as a reference to the governing body of the entity.

Compare: 1921–22 No 18 s 2; Patents Act 1949 s 101 (UK) Section 2(1) Commonwealth: repealed, on 2 September 1996, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 139).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 2A

Section 2(1) convention country: replaced, on 14 October 1999, by section 3(2) of the Patents Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 119). Section 2(1) court: amended, on 1 April 1980, pursuant to section 12 of the Judicature Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 124). Section 2(1) integrated circuit: inserted, on 1 January 1995, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122). Section 2(1) international application: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 2(1) International Bureau: inserted, on 1December 1992, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 2(1) international filing date: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 2(1) IPONZ: inserted, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 2(1) journal: replaced, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 2(1) Minister: replaced, on 1 December 1988, by section 4(1) of the Trade and Industry Act Repeal Act 1988 (1988 No 156). Section 2(1) Patent Cooperation Treaty: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 2(1) receiving Office: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 2(1) Treaty application: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 2(1) Treaty regulations: inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 2 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 2(3): inserted, on 14 October 1999, by section 3(3) of the Patents Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 119).

2A Act preserved for patent attorney provisions (1) This Act continues to govern patent attorneys and their regis-

tration. (2) The Patents Act 2013 governs patents and patent applications

(but see subpart 6 of Part 5 of that Act as to the continued application of repealed provisions of this Act for transitional purposes).

(3) This section is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of these Acts. Section 2A: inserted, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

s 3 Patents Act 1953 Reprinted as at

13 September 2014

3 Commissioner of Patents [Repealed] Section 3: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

4 Assistant Commissioners of Patents and other officers [Repealed] Section 4: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

5 Patent Office [Repealed] Section 5: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

5A Closing of Patent Office at short notice [Repealed] Section 5A: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

6 Officers and employees of Patent Office not to acquire interest in any patent or prepare specifications [Repealed] Section 6: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Application, investigation, opposition, etc [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

7 Persons entitled to make application [Repealed] Section 7: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

8 Application [Repealed] Section 8: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 16

9 Complete and provisional specifications [Repealed] Section 9: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

10 Contents of specification [Repealed] Section 10: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

11 Priority date of claims of complete specification [Repealed] Section 11: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

12 Examination of application [Repealed] Section 12: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

13 Search for anticipation by previous publication [Repealed] Section 13: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

14 Search for anticipation by prior claim [Repealed] Section 14: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

15 Commissioner may require information as to corresponding applications overseas [Repealed] Section 15: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

16 Reference in case of potential infringement [Repealed] Section 16: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

s 17 Patents Act 1953 Reprinted as at

13 September 2014

17 Refusal of application in certain cases [Repealed] Section 17: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

18 Supplementary provisions as to examination, etc [Repealed] Section 18: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

19 Time for putting application in order for acceptance [Repealed] Section 19: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

20 Acceptance and publication of complete specification [Repealed] Section 20: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

21 Opposition to grant of patent [Repealed] Section 21: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

22 Refusal of patent without opposition [Repealed] Section 22: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

23 Mention of inventor as such in patent [Repealed] Section 23: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

24 Substitution of applicants, etc [Repealed] Section 24: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 26D

25 Provisions for secrecy of certain inventions [Repealed] Section 25: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26 Inventions relating to atomic energy [Repealed] Section 26: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Treaty application [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26A Treaty application deemed to be application accompanied by complete specification [Repealed] Section 26A: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26B Description, claims, and drawings [Repealed] Section 26B: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26C International filing date [Repealed] Section 26C: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26D Commissioner to provide international filing date [Repealed] Section 26D: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at s 26E Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

26E Amendments to documents forming part of complete specification [Repealed] Section 26E: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26F Treaty application void [Repealed] Section 26F: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26G Requirements for examination of Treaty application [Repealed] Section 26G: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

26H Publication of Treaty applications [Repealed] Section 26H: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Grant, effect, and term of patent [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

27 Grant and sealing of patent [Repealed] Section 27: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

28 Amendment of patent granted to deceased applicant [Repealed] Section 28: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

29 Extent, effect, and form of patent [Repealed] Section 29: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 36

30 Date and term of patent [Repealed] Section 30: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

31 Extension on ground of inadequate remuneration [Repealed] Section 31: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 5 of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

32 Extension on ground of war loss [Repealed] Section 32: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 5 of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

33 Extension on ground of war loss of licensee [Repealed] Section 33: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 5 of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

34 Patents of addition [Repealed] Section 34: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Restoration of lapsed patents and patent applications [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

35 Restoration of lapsed patents [Repealed] Section 35: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

36 Restoration of applications where patent not sealed [Repealed] Section 36: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

s 37 Patents Act 1953 Reprinted as at

13 September 2014

37 Restoration of application where complete specification not accepted [Repealed] Section 37: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Amendment of specifications [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

38 Amendment of specification with leave of Commissioner [Repealed] Section 38: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

39 Amendment of specification with leave of court [Repealed] Section 39: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

40 Supplementary provisions as to amendment of specification [Repealed] Section 40: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Revocation and surrender of patents [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

41 Revocation of patent by court [Repealed] Section 41: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 47

42 Revocation of patent by Commissioner [Repealed] Section 42: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

43 Surrender of patent [Repealed] Section 43: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Voluntary endorsement of patent [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

44 Endorsement of patent “licences of right” [Repealed] Section 44: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

45 Cancellation of endorsement under section 44 [Repealed] Section 45: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Compulsory licences, etc [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

46 Compulsory licence [Repealed] Section 46: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

47 Provisions as to licences under section 46 [Repealed] Section 47: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 8 of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

s 48 Patents Act 1953 Reprinted as at

13 September 2014

48 Exercise of powers on applications under section 46 [Repealed] Section 48: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

49 Endorsement, etc, on application of Crown [Repealed] Section 49: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 10(1) of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

50 Revocation of patent [Repealed] Section 50: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 10(1) of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

51 Inventions relating to food or medicine, etc [Repealed] Section 51: repealed, on 19 August 1992, by section 8(1) of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81).

52 Procedure on application under sections 46 to 50 [Repealed] Section 52: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 10(2) of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

53 Appeal and references to arbitrator [Repealed] Section 53: repealed, on 1 January 1995, by section 10(2) of the Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122).

54 Supplementary provisions [Repealed] Section 54: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Use of patented inventions for services of the Crown

[Repealed] Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 58C

55 Use of patented inventions for services of the Crown [Repealed] Section 55: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

56 Rights of third parties in respect of Crown use [Repealed] Section 56: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

57 Reference of disputes as to Crown use [Repealed] Section 57: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

58 Special provisions as to Crown use during emergency [Repealed] Section 58: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

58A Nature and scope of rights under section 55 [Repealed] Section 58A: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

58B Duty to inform owner [Repealed] Section 58B: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

58C Patentee entitled to remuneration [Repealed] Section 58C: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Anticipation, etc [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

s 59 Patents Act 1953 Reprinted as at

13 September 2014

59 Previous publication [Repealed] Section 59: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

60 Previous communication, display, or working [Repealed] Section 60: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

61 Use and publication after provisional specification or foreign application [Repealed] Section 61: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

62 Priority date in case of obtaining [Repealed] Section 62: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Miscellaneous provisions as to rights in inventions [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

63 Co-ownership of patents [Repealed] Section 63: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

64 Power of Commissioner to give directions to co-owners [Repealed] Section 64: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 69

65 Disputes as to inventions made by employees [Repealed] Section 65: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

66 Avoidance of certain restrictive conditions [Repealed] Section 66: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

67 Determination of certain contracts [Repealed] Section 67: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Proceedings for infringement, etc [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

68 Restrictions on recovery of damages for infringement [Repealed] Section 68: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

68A Burden of proof for infringement of process patent [Repealed] Section 68A: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

68B Regulatory review exception [Repealed] Section 68B: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

69 Order for account in action for infringement [Repealed] Section 69: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

s 70 Patents Act 1953 Reprinted as at

13 September 2014

70 Counterclaim for revocation in action for infringement [Repealed] Section 70: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

71 Relief for infringement of partially valid specification [Repealed] Section 71: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

72 Proceedings for infringement by exclusive licensee [Repealed] Section 72: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

73 Certificate of contested validity of specification [Repealed] Section 73: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

74 Remedy for groundless threats of infringement proceedings [Repealed] Section 74: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

75 Power of court to make declaration as to non-infringement [Repealed] Section 75: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

76 Attorney-General may appear in patent proceedings [Repealed] Section 76: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

International agreements, etc [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 83

77 Orders in Council as to convention countries [Repealed] Section 77: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

78 Supplementary provisions as to convention applications [Repealed] Section 78: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

79 Special provisions as to vessels, aircraft, and land vehicles [Repealed] Section 79: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

80 Extension of time for certain convention applications [Repealed] Section 80: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

81 Protection of inventions communicated under international agreements [Repealed] Section 81: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

82 Regulations under section 80 or section 81 [Repealed] Section 82: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Register of patents, etc 83 Register of patents

[Repealed] Section 83: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

s 84 Patents Act 1953 Reprinted as at

13 September 2014

84 Registration of assignments, etc [Repealed] Section 84: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

85 Limitation of proceedings [Repealed] Section 85: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

85A Application of Personal Property Securities Act 1999 [Repealed] Section 85A: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

86 Commissioner may dispense with production of probate or letters of administration in certain cases [Repealed] Section 86: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

87 Rectification of register of patents by court [Repealed] Section 87: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

88 Correction of errors [Repealed] Section 88: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

89 (1)

(2)

Evidence of entries, documents, etc A certificate purporting to be signed by the Commissioner cer- tifying that any entry which he is authorised by or under this Act to make has or has not been made, or that any other thing which he is so authorised to do has or has not been done, shall be prima facie evidence of the matters so certified. A copy of any entry in any register or of any document kept by IPONZ, or an extract from that register or document, purport-

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 93

ing to be certified by the Commissioner, shall be admitted in evidence without further proof and without production of the original.

(3) Where by this Act or otherwise by law the Commissioner is di- rected, authorised, or empowered to do, exercise, or perform any act, power, function, or duty, any notification in the journal of the doing, exercise, or performance of any such act, power, function, or duty shall be prima facie evidence that it was law- fully done, exercised, or performed. Compare: 1921–22 No 18 ss 130, 131; 1946 No 32 s 6(3); Patents Act 1949 s 77 (UK) Section 89(1): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 89(2): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 89(3): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

90 Requests for information as to patent or patent application [Repealed] Section 90: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

91 Restriction upon publication of specifications, etc [Repealed] Section 91: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

92 Loss or destruction of patent [Repealed] Section 92: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

93 Commissioner may grant extension of time [Repealed] Section 93: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at s 93A Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

93A Additional provisions for extending time limits [Repealed] Section 93A: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Proceedings before Commissioner [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

94 Exercise of discretionary powers of Commissioner [Repealed] Section 94: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

95 Costs and security for costs [Repealed] Section 95: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

96 Evidence before Commissioner [Repealed] Section 96: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Appeals [Repealed]

Heading: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

97 Appeals to High Court [Repealed] Section 97: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

98 Appeals to Court of Appeal [Repealed] Section 98: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 101

99 Costs of Commissioner in proceedings before court [Repealed] Section 99: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Patent attorneys 100 Registration of patent attorneys (1) There shall be kept at IPONZ a register of patent attorneys. (2) The Commissioner may register as a patent attorney any per-

son who,— (a) is a British subject or a citizen of the Republic of Ire-

land; and (b) is not less than 21 years of age; and (c) has passed in all subjects of the prescribed examination;

and (d) if so required by regulations made under this Act, has

been employed for the period specified in the regula- tions in the manner specified in the regulations; and

(e) possesses such other qualifications as may be pre- scribed.

(3) Regulations made under this Act may provide for the appoint- ment of a person or persons to conduct the examinations re- ferred to in subsection (2).

(4) Every person who was registered as a patent agent under the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act 1921–22 immediately before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be registered as a patent attorney under this Act. Compare: 1921–22 No 18 s 135 Section 100(1): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

101 Powers of patent attorneys (1) A patent attorney—

(a) shall be entitled to prepare all documents, transact all business, and conduct all proceedings for the purposes of the Patents Act 2013 and this Act; and

(b) shall have such other rights and privileges as may be prescribed.

Reprinted as at s 102 Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

(2) Nothing in this section shall authorise a patent attorney to transact business or conduct proceedings in a court.

(3) A person who is registered under section 100 as a patent at- torney is not guilty of an offence against section 32 or section 33 or section 35 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 by reason only of exercising any of the powers conferred on patent attorneys by this section. Compare: Patents Act 1949 s 88(5) (UK) Section 101(1)(a): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 101(3): replaced, on 1 August 2008, by section 348 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (2006 No 1).

102 Cancellation of registration of patent attorneys (1) The court, on application made by the Commissioner or by

the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys Incorporated with the leave in writing of the Attorney-General, may order the removal from the register of patent attorneys of the name of any patent attorney or the suspension from practice before IPONZ of any patent attorney who— (a) is convicted of a crime involving dishonesty within the

meaning of section 2 of the Crimes Act 1961; or (b) has been guilty of misconduct in his professional cap-

acity and by reason thereof is not a fit and proper person to practise as a patent attorney; or

(c) has otherwise been guilty of grave impropriety or in- famous conduct and by reason thereof is not a fit and proper person to practise as a patent attorney.

(2) The Commissioner and the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys Incorporated shall be entitled to appear and be heard on any such application.

(3) No person whose name has been removed from the register of patent attorneys under this section shall be again entered thereon except by direction of the court. Section 102(1): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 102(1)(a): amended, on 1 January 1962, by section 411(1) of the Crimes Act 1961 (1961 No 43).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 103

103 Restrictions on practice as patent attorney (1) No person either alone or in partnership shall carry on busi-

ness, practise, act, describe himself or hold himself out, or permit himself to be described or held out, as a patent attor- ney or patent agent unless he is registered as a patent attorney, or, as the case may be, unless he and all his partners are so registered.

(2) No company shall carry on business, practise, act, describe itself or hold itself out, or permit itself to be described or held out, as a patent attorney or patent agent: provided that this subsection shall not apply in the case of any company which was immediately before the commencement of this Act carrying on business as a patent attorney during any period or periods while a manager or director of the company is registered as a patent attorney.

(3) For the purposes of this section a person who or a company which undertakes for gain in New Zealand— (a) to apply for or obtain patents in New Zealand or else-

where; or (b) to prepare specifications or other documents for the pur-

poses of the Patents Act 2013, this Act, or the patent law of any country; or

shall be deemed to carry on business as a patent attorney. (4) Any person who or company which fails to comply with or

acts in contravention of the provisions of this section commits an offence, and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not ex- ceeding $200.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting bar- risters or solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand from giving professional advice or taking such part in proceedings under the Patents Act 2013 or this Act as has heretofore been taken by them.

(6) Nothing in this section shall prevent the personal representa- tive of a deceased patent attorney from carrying on the busi- ness or practice of the deceased patent attorney for a period not exceeding 3 years from the date of the death of the patent attorney, or for such further period (if any) as the court may

Reprinted as at s 104 Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

allow, if the personal representative is himself registered as a patent attorney or employs a person who is registered as a patent attorney to manage the business or practice. Compare: 1921–22 No 18 s 135 Section 103(3)(b): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 103(4): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81). Section 103(5): amended, on 13 September 2014, by section 249 of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68). Section 103(5): amended, on 1 April 1980, pursuant to section 12 of the Judicature Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 124).

104 Recovery of patent attorney’s charges (1) No patent attorney shall commence or maintain any action for

the recovery of any fees, charges, or disbursements paid or incurred or made by him for any business done by him as a patent attorney until the expiration of 7 days after a bill of the fees, charges, and disbursements, signed by him (or, in the case of a partnership, by any of the partners with the name of the partnership), or enclosed in or accompanied by a letter signed in like manner referring to the bill, has been delivered to the party chargeable.

(2) The delivery may be effected either by personal delivery to the party chargeable or by leaving the bill or letter for him at his place of business, or dwellinghouse, or last known place of abode, or by forwarding it to him by post in a registered letter addressed to him as aforesaid. Where it is forwarded by post as aforesaid, it shall be deemed to have been delivered at the time at which the letter would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post. Compare: 1921–22 No 18 s 137

Offences 105 Falsification of register, etc (1) Every person who makes or causes to be made a false entry in

any register kept under this Act, or a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of an entry in any such register, or produces or tenders or causes to be produced or tendered in evidence any

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 109

such writing, knowing the entry or writing to be false, commits an offence, and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for any term not exceeding 2 years.

(2) Despite anything to the contrary in section 25 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, a charging document may be filed at any time in respect of an offence against subsection (1). Compare: 1921–22 No 18 s 143; Patents Act 1949 s 90 (UK) Section 105(1): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81). Section 105(2): inserted, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).

106 Unauthorised claim of patent rights [Repealed] Section 106: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

107 Protection of Royal Arms, etc [Repealed] Section 107: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

108 Offences by companies Where an offence against section 25, section 26, section 103, or section 105 is committed by a body corporate, every person who at the time of the commission of the offence is a director, general manager, secretary, or other similar officer of the body corporate, or is purporting to act in any such capacity, shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence unless he proves that the offence was committed without his consent or connivance and that he exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of the offence as he ought to have exercised having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all the circumstances. Compare: Patents Act 1949 s 93 (UK)

109 Certain offences may be dealt with summarily [Repealed] Section 109: repealed, on 1 April 1958, by section 214(1) of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 (1957 No 87).

Reprinted as at s 110 Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

Miscellaneous 110 Service of notices, etc, by post (1) Any notice required or authorised to be given by or under this

Act, and any application or other document so authorised or required to be made or filed, may be given, made, or filed by sending it by post in a letter addressed to the person concerned at his usual or last known address.

(2) Where any notice is sent by the Commissioner to any person by post as aforesaid the notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when the letter containing it would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post. Compare: 1921–22 No 18 s 132; Patents Act 1949 s 97 (UK)

111 Declaration by person under disability [Repealed] Section 111: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

112 Journal, indexes, etc [Repealed] Section 112: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

113 Rules of court [Repealed] Section 113: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

114 Regulations (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Governor-General

may from time to time, by Order in Council, make all such regulations as may in his opinion be necessary or expedient for giving effect to the provisions of this Act and for the due administration thereof.

(2) Without limiting the general power conferred by subsection (1), it is hereby declared that regulations may be made under this section for all or any of the following purposes: (a) for regulating the business of the Patent Office in rela-

tion to patents:

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 s 114

(b) for regulating all matters by this Act placed under the direction or control of the Commissioner:

(c) for prescribing the form and manner of execution of ap- plications for patents and of any specifications, draw- ings, or other documents which may be filed at the Patent Office, and for requiring copies to be furnished of any such documents:

(d) for regulating the procedure to be followed in connec- tion with any application or request to the Commis- sioner or in connection with any proceeding before the Commissioner and for authorising the rectification of ir- regularities of procedure:

(e) for regulating the keeping of the register of patent attor- neys:

(f) for regulating the registration of patent attorneys, and for prescribing the terms and conditions of their regis- tration:

(g) for regulating the procedure for removing the names of patent attorneys from the register of patent attorneys and for suspending patent attorneys from practice be- fore the Patent Office:

(h) prescribing classes of persons whom the Commissioner may refuse to recognise as agents in respect of proceed- ings under this Act:

(i) for authorising the preparation, publication, sale, and exchange of copies of specifications, drawings, and other documents in the Patent Office and of indexes to and abridgments of them:

(j) for prescribing the mode of advertising any matter which by this Act is required to be advertised:

(k) for prescribing anything authorised or required by this Act to be prescribed by regulations:

(l) for the carrying out, or giving effect to, New Zealand’s obligations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

(3) [Repealed] Compare: 1921–22 No 18, s 138; Patents Act 1949 s 94 (UK) Section 114(2)(l): inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 9 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81). Section 114(3): repealed, on 19 December 1989, by section 11 of the Regulations (Disallowance) Act 1989 (1989 No 143).

Reprinted as at s 115 Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

115 Fees (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, there shall be paid in

respect of the grant of patents and applications therefor, and in respect of other matters relating to patents arising under this Act, such fees as may be from time to time prescribed by regulations made under this Act, and all such fees shall be paid into a Departmental Bank Account.

(2) Any sum paid to the Commissioner by mistake, or any sum the payment of which is not required by the regulations made under this Act, may be refunded by the Commissioner, and all moneys so refunded shall be paid out of public money without further appropriation than this Act.

(3) Fees in respect of international applications may, in accord- ance with New Zealand’s obligations under the Patent Cooper- ation Treaty, be collected by the Commissioner on behalf of— (a) the International Bureau; or (b) any international search authority that has been ap-

proved, for the purposes of this subsection, by the Minister as an appropriate authority on whose behalf the Commissioner may collect such fees.

Compare: 1921–22 No 18 s 117; Patents Act 1949 s 99 (UK) Section 115(1): amended (with effect on 1 July 1989), on 26 July 1989, by section 86(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989 (1989 No 44). Section 115(2): amended (with effect on 1 July 1989), on 26 July 1989, by section 86(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989 (1989 No 44). Section 115(3): inserted, on 1 December 1992, by section 10 of the Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81).

116 Annual report of Commissioner [Repealed] Section 116: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

117 Saving for Royal prerogative, etc [Repealed] Section 117: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 Schedule 3

118 Application of Act to Tokelau [Repealed] Section 118: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

119 Repeals and savings [Repealed] Section 119: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Schedule 1 s 119(1) Enactments repealed

[Repealed] Schedule 1: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Schedule 2 s 119(2) Regulations revoked

[Repealed] Schedule 2: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Schedule 3 s 119(3)(b) Transitional provisions

[Repealed] Schedule 3: repealed, on 13 September 2014, by section 247(1) of the Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68).

Reprinted as at Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

Patents Amendment Act 1992

Public Act 1992 No 81 Date of assent 18 August 1992 Commencement see section 1

1 Short Title and commencement (1) This Act may be cited as the Patents Amendment Act 1992,

and shall be read together with and deemed part of the Patents Act 1953 (hereinafter referred to as “the principal Act”).

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), this Act shall come into force on 1 December 1992.

(3) Sections 3, 8, and 11 shall come into force on the day after the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent.

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953

Schedule 1 s 2 Patent Cooperation Treaty

Done at Washington on June 19, 1970, amended on October 2, 1979, and modified on February 3, 1984 The Contracting States, Desiring to make a contribution to the progress of science and tech- nology, Desiring to perfect the legal protection of inventions, Desiring to simplify and render more economical the obtaining of protection for inventions where protection is sought in several coun- tries, Desiring to facilitate and accelerate access by the public to the tech- nical information contained in documents describing new inventions, Desiring to foster and accelerate the economic development of de- veloping countries through the adoption of measures designed to in- crease the efficiency of their legal systems, whether national or re- gional, instituted for the protection of inventions by providing easily accessible information on the availability of technological solutions applicable to their special needs and by facilitating access to the ever expanding volume of modern technology, Convinced that cooperation among nations will greatly facilitate the attainment of these aims, Have concluded the present Treaty.

Introduction Provisions Article 1—Establishment of a Union

(1) The States party to this Treaty (hereinafter called “the Con- tracting States”) constitute a Union for cooperation in the fil- ing, searching, and examination, of applications for the protec- tion of inventions, and for rendering special technical services. The Union shall be known as the International Patent Cooper- ation Union.

(2) No provision of this Treaty shall be interpreted as diminish- ing the rights under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of any national or resident of any country party to that Convention.

Reprinted as at Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

Article 2—Definitions For the purposes of this Treaty and the Regulations and unless ex- pressly stated otherwise: (i) “application” means an application for the protection of an in-

vention; references to an “application” shall be construed as references to applications for patents for inventions, inven- tors’ certificates, utility certificates, utility models, patents or certificates of addition, inventors’ certificates of addition, and utility certificates of addition;

(ii) references to a “patent” shall be construed as references to patents for inventions, inventors’ certificates, utility certifi- cates, utility models, patents or certificates of addition, inven- tors’ certificates of addition, and utility certificates of addition;

(iii) “national patent” means a patent granted by a national author- ity;

(iv) “regional patent” means a patent granted by a national or an intergovernmental authority having the power to grant patents effective in more than one State;

(v) “regional application” means an application for a regional patent;

(vi) references to a “national application” shall be construed as references to applications for national patents and regional patents, other than applications filed under this Treaty;

(vii) “international application” means an application filed under this Treaty;

(viii) references to an “application” shall be construed as references to international applications and national applications;

(ix) references to a “patent” shall be construed as references to national patents and regional patents;

(x) references to “national law” shall be construed as references to the national law of a Contracting State or, where a regional application or a regional patent is involved, to the treaty pro- viding for the filing of regional applications or the granting of regional patents;

(xi) “priority date,” for the purposes of computing time limits, means: (a) where the international application contains a priority

claim under Article 8, the filing date of the application whose priority is so claimed;

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953

Article 2—continued

(b) where the international application consists several pri- ority claims under Article 8, the filing date of the earliest application whose priority is so claimed;

(c) where the international application does not contain any priority claim under Article 8, the international filing date of such application;

(xii) “national Office” means the government authority of a Con- tracting State entrusted with the granting of patents; references to a “national Office” shall be construed as referring also to any intergovernmental authority which several States have en- trusted with the task of granting regional patents, provided that at least one of those States is a Contracting State, and provided that the said States have authorized that authority to assume the obligations and exercise the powers which this Treaty and the Regulations provide for in respect of national Offices;

(xiii) “designated Office” means the national Office of or acting for the State designated by the applicant under Chapter I of this Treaty;

(xiv) “elected Office” means the national Office of or acting for the State elected by the applicant under Chapter II of this Treaty;

(xv) “receiving Office” means the national Office or the intergov- ernmental organization with which the international applica- tion has been filed;

(xvi) “Union” means the International Patent Cooperation Union; (xvii) “Assembly” means the Assembly of the Union; (xviii) “Organization”means theWorld Intellectual Property Organ-

ization; (xix) “International Bureau” means the International Bureau of

the Organization and, as long as it subsists, the United Inter- national Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (BIRPI);

(xx) “Director General” means the Director General of the Organ- ization and, as long as BIRPI subsists, the Director of BIRPI.

Reprinted as at Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

Chapter I International Application and International

Search Article 3—The International Application

(1) Applications for the protection of inventions in any of the Con- tracting States may be filed as international applications under this Treaty.

(2) An international application shall contain, as specified in this Treaty and the Regulations, a request, a description, one or more claims, one or more drawings (where required), and an abstract.

(3) The abstract merely serves the purpose of technical informa- tion and cannot be taken into account for any other purpose, particularly not for the purpose of interpreting the scope of the protection sought.

(4) The international application shall: (i) be in a prescribed language; (ii) comply with the prescribed physical requirements; (iii) comply with the prescribed requirement of unity of in-

vention; (iv) be subject to the payment of the prescribed fees.

Article 4—The Request (1) The request shall contain:

(i) a petition to the effect that the international application be processed according to this Treaty;

(ii) the designation of the Contracting State or States in which protection for the invention is desired on the basis of the international application (“designated States”); if for any designated State a regional patent is avail- able and the applicant wishes to obtain a regional patent rather than a national patent, the request shall so indi- cate; if, under a treaty concerning a regional patent, the applicant cannot limit his application to certain of the States party to that treaty, designation of one of those States and the indication of the wish to obtain the re- gional patent shall be treated as designation of all the States party to that treaty; if, under the national law of

Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953

Chapter I—continued Article 4—continued

the designated State, the designation of that State has the effect of an application for a regional patent, the desig- nation of the said State shall be treated as an indication of the wish to obtain the regional patent;

(iii) the name of and other prescribed data concerning the applicant and the agent (if any);

(iv) the title of the invention; (v) the name of and other prescribed data concerning the

inventor where the national law of at least one of the designated States requires that these indications be fur- nished at the time of filing a national application. Other- wise, the said indications may be furnished either in the request or in separate notices addressed to each desig- nated Office whose national law requires the furnishing of the said indications but allows that they be furnished at a time later than that of the filing of a national appli- cation.

(2) Every designation shall be subject to the payment of the pre- scribed fee within the prescribed time limit.

(3) Unless the applicant asks for any of the other kinds of protec- tion referred to in Article 43, designation shall mean that the desired protection consists of the grant of a patent by or for the designated State. For the purposes of this paragraph, Article 2(ii) shall not apply.

(4) Failure to indicate in the request the name and other prescribed data concerning the inventor shall have no consequence in any designated State whose national law requires the furnishing of the said indications but allows that they be furnished at a time later than that of the filing of a national application. Failure to furnish the said indications in a separate notice shall have no consequence in any designated State whose national law does not require the furnishing of the said indications.

Article 5—The Description The description shall disclose the invention in a manner sufficiently clear and complete for the invention to be carried out by a person skilled in the art.

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Chapter I—continued

Article 6—The Claims The claim or claims shall define the matter for which protection is sought. Claims shall be clear and concise. They shall be fully sup- ported by the description.

Article 7—The Drawings (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2)(ii), drawings shall

be required when they are necessary for the understanding of the invention.

(2) Where, without being necessary for the understanding of the invention, the nature of the invention admits of illustration by drawings: (i) the applicant may include such drawings in the inter-

national application when filed, (ii) any designated Office may require that the applicant file

such drawings with it within the prescribed time limit.

Article 8—Claiming Priority (1) The international application may contain a declaration, as

prescribed in the Regulations, claiming the priority of one or more earlier applications filed in or for any country party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

(2)(a) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b), the conditions for, and the effect of, any priority claim declared under para- graph (1) shall be as provided in Article 4 of the Stockholm Act of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

(b) The international application for which the priority of one or more earlier applications filed in or for a Contracting State is claimed may contain the designation of that State. Where, in the international application, the priority of one or more na- tional applications filed in or for a designated State is claimed, or where the priority of an international application having designated only one State is claimed, the conditions for, and the effect of, the priority claim in that State shall be governed by the national law of that State.

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Chapter I—continued

Article 9—The Applicant (1) Any resident or national of a Contracting State may file an

international application. (2) The Assembly may decide to allow the residents and the na-

tionals of any country party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property which is not party to this Treaty to file international applications.

(3) The concepts of residence and nationality, and the application of those concepts in cases where there are several applicants or where the applicants are not the same for all the designated States, are defined in the Regulations.

Article 10—The Receiving Office The international application shall be filed with the prescribed receiv- ing Office, which will check and process it as provided in this Treaty and the Regulations.

Article 11—Filing Date and Effects of the International Application

(1) The receiving Office shall accord as the international filing date the date of receipt of the international application, pro- vided that that Office has found that, at the time of receipt: (i) the applicant does not obviously lack, for reasons of

residence or nationality, the right to file an international application with the receiving Office,

(ii) the international application is in the prescribed lan- guage,

(iii) the international application contains at least the follow- ing elements: (a) an indication that it is intended as an international

application, (b) the designation of at least one Contracting State, (c) the name of the applicant, as prescribed, (d) a part which on the face of it appears to be a

description,

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(e) a part which on the face of it appears to be a claim or claims.

(2)(a) If the receiving Office finds that the international application did not, at the time of receipt, fulfil the requirements listed in paragraph (1), it shall, as provided in the Regulations, invite the applicant to file the required correction.

(b) If the applicant complies with the invitation, as provided in the Regulations, the receiving Office shall accord as the inter- national filing date the date of receipt of the required correc- tion.

(3) Subject to article 64(4), any international application fulfilling the requirements listed in items (i) to (iii) of paragraph (1) and accorded an international filing date shall have the effect of a regular national application in each designated State as of the international filing date, which date shall be considered to be the actual filing date in each designated State.

(4) Any international application fulfilling the requirements listed in items (i) to (iii) of paragraph (1) shall be equivalent to a regular national filing within the meaning of the Paris Con- vention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

Article 12—Transmittal of the International Application to the International Bureau and the International Searching Authority

(1) One copy of the international application shall be kept by the receiving Office (“home copy”), one copy (“record copy”) shall be transmitted to the International Bureau, and another copy (“search copy”) shall be transmitted to the competent International Searching Authority referred to in Article 16, as provided in the Regulations.

(2) The record copy shall be considered the true copy of the inter- national application.

(3) The international application shall be considered withdrawn if the record copy has not been received by the International Bureau within the prescribed time limit.

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Chapter I—continued

Article 13—Availability of Copy of the International Application to Designated

Offices (1) Any designated Office may ask the International Bureau to

transmit to it a copy of the international application prior to the communication provided for in Article 20, and the Inter- national Bureau shall transmit such copy to the designated Of- fice as soon as possible after the expiration of one year from the priority date.

(2)(a) The applicant may, at any time, transmit a copy of his inter- national application to any designated Office.

(b) The applicant may, at any time, ask the International Bureau to transmit a copy of his international application to any desig- nated Office, and the International Bureau shall transmit such copy to the designated Office as soon as possible.

(c) Any national Office may notify the International Bureau that it does not wish to receive copies as provided for in subpara- graph (b), in which case that subparagraph shall not be applic- able in respect of that Office.

Article 14—Certain Defects in the International Application

(1)(a) The receiving Office shall check whether the international ap- plication contains any of the following defects, that is to say: (i) it is not signed as provided in the Regulations; (ii) it does not contain the prescribed indications concern-

ing the applicant; (iii) it does not contain a title; (iv) it does not contain an abstract; (v) it does not comply to the extent provided in the Regu-

lations with the prescribed physical requirements. (b) If the receiving Office finds any of the said defects, it shall in-

vite the applicant to correct the international applicationwithin the prescribed time limit, failing which that application shall be considered withdrawn and the receiving Office shall so de- clare.

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(2) If the international application refers to drawings which, in fact, are not included in that application, the receiving Of- fice shall notify the applicant accordingly and he may furnish them within the prescribed time limit and, if he does, the inter- national filing date shall be the date on which the drawings are received by the receiving Office. Otherwise, any reference to the said drawings shall be considered non-existent.

(3)(a) If the receiving Office finds that, within the prescribed time limits, the fees prescribed under Article 3(4)(iv) have not been paid, or no fee prescribed under Article 4(2) has been paid in respect of any of the designated States, the international application shall be considered withdrawn and the receiving Office shall so declare.

(b) If the receiving Office finds that the fee prescribed under Art- icle 4(2) has been paid in respect of one or more (but less than all) designated States within the prescribed time limit, the des- ignation of those States in respect of which it has not been paid within the prescribed time limit shall be considered withdrawn and the receiving Office shall so declare.

(4) If, after having accorded an international filing date to the international application, the receiving Office finds, within the prescribed time limit, that any of the requirements listed in items (i) to (iii) of Article 11(1) was not complied with at that date, the said application shall be considered withdrawn and the receiving Office shall so declare.

Article 15—The International Search (1) Each international application shall be the subject of inter-

national search. (2) The objective of the international search is to discover relevant

prior art. (3) International search shall be made on the basis of the claims,

with due regard to the description and the drawings (if any). (4) The International Searching Authority referred to in Article

16 shall endeavor to discover as much of the relevant prior

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art as its facilities permit, and shall, in any case, consult the documentation specified in the Regulations.

(5)(a) If the national law of the Contracting State so permits, the applicant who files a national application within the national Office of or acting for such State may, subject to the condi- tions provided for in such law, request that a search similar to an international search (“international-type search”) be carried out on such application.

(b) If the national law of the Contracting State so permits, the na- tional Office of or acting for such State may subject any na- tional application filed with it to an international-type search.

(c) The international-type search shall be carried out by the Inter- national Searching Authority referred to in Article 16 which would be competent for an international search if the national application were an international application and were filed with the Office referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b). If the national application is in a language which the International Searching Authority considers it is not equipped to handle, the international-type search shall be carried out on a trans- lation prepared by the applicant in a language prescribed for international applications and which the International Search- ing Authority has undertaken to accept for international ap- plications. The national application and the translation, when required, shall be presented in the form prescribed for inter- national applications.

Article 16—The International Searching Authority

(1) International search shall be carried out by an International Searching Authority, which may be either a national Office or an intergovernmental organization, such as the International Patent Institute, whose tasks include the establishing of docu- mentary search reports on prior art with respect to inventions which are the subject of applications.

(2) If, pending the establishment of a single International Search- ing Authority, there are several International Searching Au-

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Chapter I—continued Article 16—continued

thorities, each receiving Office shall, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable agreement referred to in paragraph (3)(b), specify the International Searching Authority or Au- thorities competent for the searching of international applica- tions filed with such Office.

(3)(a) International Searching Authorities shall be appointed by the Assembly. Any national Office and any intergovernmental or- ganization satisfying the requirements referred to in subpara- graph (c) may be appointed as International Searching Author- ity.

(b) Appointment shall be conditional on the consent of the national Office or intergovernmental organization to be appointed and the conclusion of an agreement, subject to ap- proval by the Assembly, between such Office or organization and the International Bureau. The agreement shall specify the rights and obligations of the parties, in particular, the formal undertaking by the said Office or organization to apply and observe all the common rules of international search.

(c) The Regulations prescribe the minimum requirements, par- ticularly as to manpower and documentation, which any Of- fice or organization must satisfy before it can be appointed and must continue to satisfy while it remains appointed.

(d) Appointment shall be for a fixed period of time and may be extended for further periods.

(e) Before the Assembly makes a decision on the appointment of any national Office or intergovernmental organization, or on the extension of its appointment, or before it allows any such appointment to lapse, the Assembly shall hear the interested Office or organization and seek the advice of the Committee for Technical Cooperation referred to in Article 56 once that Committee has been established.

Article 17—Procedure before the International Searching Authority

(1) Procedure before the International Searching Authority shall be governed by the provisions of this Treaty, the Regulations,

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Chapter I—continued Article 17—continued

and the agreement which the International Bureau shall con- clude, subject to this Treaty and the Regulations, with the said Authority.

(2)(a) If the International Searching Authority considers (i) that the international application relates to a subject

matter which the International Searching Authority is not required, under the Regulations, to search, and in the particular case decides not to search, or

(ii) that the description, the claims, or the drawings, fail to comply with the prescribed requirements to such an extent that a meaningful search could not be carried out,

the said Authority shall so declare and shall notify the appli- cant and the International Bureau that no international search report will be established.

(b) If any of the situations referred to in subparagraph (a) is found to exist in connection with certain claims only, the international search report shall so indicate in respect of such claims, whereas, for the other claims, the said report shall be established as provided in Article 18.

(3)(a) If the International Searching Authority considers that the international application does not comply with the require- ment of unity of invention as set forth in the Regulations, it shall invite the applicant to pay additional fees. The Inter- national Searching Authority shall establish the international search report on those parts of the international application which relate to the invention first mentioned in the claims (“main invention”) and, provided the required additional fees have been paid within the prescribed time limit, on those parts of the international application which relate to inventions in respect of which the said fees were paid.

(b) The national law of any designated State may provide that, where the national Office of that State finds the invitation, re- ferred to in subparagraph (a), of the International Searching Authority justified and where the applicant has not paid all ad- ditional fees, those parts of the international application which consequently have not been searched shall, as far as effects in that State are concerned, be considered withdrawn unless a

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Chapter I—continued Article 17—continued

special fee is paid by the applicant to the national Office of that State.

Article 18—The International Search Report (1) The international search report shall be established within the

prescribed time limit and in the prescribed form. (2) The international search report shall, as soon as it has been

established, be transmitted by the International Searching Au- thority to the applicant and the International Bureau.

(3) The international search report or the declaration referred to in Article 17(2)(a) shall be translated as provided in the Regu- lations. The translations shall be prepared by or under the re- sponsibility of the International Bureau.

Article 19—Amendment of the Claims before the International Bureau

(1) The applicant shall, after having received the international search report, be entitled to one opportunity to amend the claims of the international application by filing amendments with the International Bureau within the prescribed time limit. He may, at the same time, file a brief statement, as provided in the Regulations, explaining the amendments and indicating any impact that such amendments might have on the descrip- tion and the drawings.

(2) The amendments shall not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed.

(3) If the national law of any designated State permits amend- ments to go beyond the said disclosure, failure to comply with paragraph (2) shall have no consequence in that State.

Article 20—Communication to Designated Offices

(1)(a) The international application, together with the international search report (including any indication referred to in Article 17(2)(b)) or the declaration referred to inArticle 17(2)(a), shall

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be communicated to each designated Office, as provided in the Regulations, unless the designated Office waives such require- ment in its entirety or in part.

(b) The communication shall include the translation (as pre- scribed) of the said report or declaration.

(2) If the claims have been amended by virtue of Article 19(1), the communication shall either contain the full text of the claims both as filed and as amended or shall contain the full text of the claims as filed and specify the amendments, and shall include the statement, if any, referred to in Article 19(1).

(3) At the request of the designated Office or the applicant, the International Searching Authority shall send to the said Office or the applicant, respectively, copies of the documents cited in the international search report, as provided in the Regulations.

Article 21—International Publication (1) The International Bureau shall publish international applica-

tions. (2)(a) Subject to the exceptions provided for in subparagraph (b)

and in Article 64(3), the international publication of the inter- national application shall be effected promptly after the expir- ation of 18 months from the priority date of that application.

(b) The applicant may ask the International Bureau to publish his international application any time before the expiration of the time limit referred to in subparagraph (a). The International Bureau shall proceed accordingly, as provided in the Regula- tions.

(3) The international search report or the declaration referred to in Article 17(2)(a) shall be published as prescribed in the Regu- lations.

(4) The language and form of the international publication and other details are governed by the Regulations.

(5) There shall be no international publication if the international application is withdrawn or is considered withdrawn before the technical preparations for publication have been com- pleted.

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Chapter I—continued Article 21—continued

(6) If the international application contains expressions or draw- ings which, in the opinion of the International Bureau, are contrary to morality or public order, or if, in its opinion, the international application contains disparaging statements as defined in the Regulations, it may omit such expressions, drawings, and statements, from its publications, indicating the place and number of words or drawings omitted, and furnishing, upon request, individual copies of the passages omitted.

Article 22—Copy, Translation, and Fee, to Designated Offices

(1) The applicant shall furnish a copy of the international applica- tion (unless the communication provided for in Article 20 has already taken place) and a translation thereof (as prescribed), and pay the national fee (if any), to each designated Office not later than at the expiration of 20 months from the priority date. Where the national law of the designated State requires the in- dication of the name of and other prescribed data concerning the inventor but allows that these indications be furnished at a time later than that of the filing of a national application, the applicant shall, unless they were contained in the request, fur- nish the said indications to the national Office of or acting for the State not later than at the expiration of 20 months from the priority date.

(2) Where the International Searching Authority makes a declar- ation, under Article 17(2)(a), that no international search re- port will be established, the time limit for performing the acts referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article shall be the same as that provided for in paragraph (1).

(3) Any national law may, for performing the acts referred to in paragraphs (1) or (2), fix time limits which expire later than the time limit provided for in those paragraphs.

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Chapter I—continued

Article 23—Delaying of National Procedure (1) No designated Office shall process or examine the inter-

national application prior to the expiration of the applicable time limit under Article 22.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), any des- ignated Office may, on the express request of the applicant, process or examine the international application at any time.

Article 24—Possible Loss of Effect in Designated States

(1) Subject, in case (ii) below, to the provisions of Article 25, the effect of the international application provided for in Article 11(3) shall cease in any designated State with the same conse- quences as the withdrawal of any national application in that State: (i) if the applicant withdraws his international application

or the designation of that State; (ii) if the international application is considered withdrawn

by virtue of Articles 12(3), 14(1)(b), 14(3)(a), or 14(4), or if the designation of that State is considered with- drawn by virtue of Article 14(3)(b);

(iii) if the applicant fails to perform the acts referred to in Article 22 within the applicable time limit.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), any desig- nated Office may maintain the effect provided for in Article 11(3) even where such effect is not required to be maintained by virtue of Article 25(2).

Article 25—Review by Designated Offices (1)(a) Where the receiving Office has refused to accord an inter-

national filing date or has declared that the international appli- cation is considered withdrawn, or where the International Bu- reau has made a finding under Article 12(3), the International Bureau shall promptly send, at the request of the applicant, copies of any document in the file to any of the designated Of- fices named by the applicant.

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Chapter I—continued Article 25—continued

(b) Where the receiving Office has declared that the designation of any given State is considered withdrawn, the International Bureau shall promptly send, at the request of the applicant, copies of any document in the file to the national Office of such State.

(2)(a) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b), each designated Office shall, provided that the national fee (if any) has been paid and the appropriate translation (as prescribed) has been furnished within the prescribed time limit, decide whether the refusal, declaration, or finding, referred to in paragraph (1) was justified under the provisions of this Treaty and the Regula- tions, and, if it finds that the refusal or declaration was the result of an error or omission on the part of the receiving Of- fice or that the finding was the result of an error or omission on the part of the International Bureau, it shall, as far as effects in the State of the designated Office are concerned, treat the international application as if such error or omission had not occurred.

(b) Where the record copy has reached the International Bureau after the expiration of the time limit prescribed under Article 12(3) on account of any error or omission on the part of the applicant, the provisions of subparagraph (a) shall apply only under the circumstances referred to in Article 48(2).

Article 26—Opportunity to Correct before Designated Offices

No designated Office shall reject an international application on the grounds of non-compliance with the requirements of this Treaty and the Regulations without first giving the applicant the opportunity to correct the said application to the extent and according to the pro- cedure provided by the national law for the same or comparable situ- ations in respect of national applications.

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Chapter I—continued

Article 27—National Requirements (1) No national law shall require compliance with requirements

relating to the form or contents of the international application different from or additional to those which are provided for in this Treaty and the Regulations.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) neither affect the application of the provisions of Article 7(2) nor preclude any national law from requiring, once the processing of the international appli- cation has started in the designated Office, the furnishing: (i) when the applicant is a legal entity, of the name of an

officer entitled to represent such legal entity, (ii) of documents not part of the international application

but which constitute proof of allegations or statements made in that application, including the confirmation of the international application by the signature of the ap- plicant when that application, as filed, was signed by his representative or agent.

(3) Where the applicant, for the purposes of any designated State, is not qualified according to the national law of that State to file a national application because he is not the inventor, the inter- national application may be rejected by the designated Office.

(4) Where the national law provides, in respect of the form or con- tents of national applications, for requirements which, from the viewpoint of applicants, are more favorable than the re- quirements provided for by this Treaty and the Regulations in respect of international applications, the national Office, the courts and any other competent organs of or acting for the designated State may apply the former requirements, in- stead of the latter requirements, to international applications, except where the applicant insists that the requirements pro- vided for by this Treaty and the Regulations be applied to his international application.

(5) Nothing in this Treaty and the Regulations is intended to be construed as prescribing anything that would limit the free- dom of each Contracting State to prescribe such substantive conditions of patentability as it desires. In particular, any pro- vision in this Treaty and the Regulations concerning the def-

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inition of prior art is exclusively for the purposes of the inter- national procedure and, consequently, any Contracting State is free to apply, when determining the patentability of an in- vention claimed in an international application, the criteria of its national law in respect of prior art and other conditions of patentability not constituting requirements as to the form and contents of applications.

(6) The national law may require that the applicant furnish evi- dence in respect of any substantive condition of patentability prescribed by such law.

(7) Any receiving Office or, once the processing of the inter- national application has started in the designated Office, that Office may apply the national law as far as it relates to any requirement that the applicant be represented by an agent having the right to represent applicants before the said Office and/or that the applicant have an address in the designated State for the purpose of receiving notifications.

(8) Nothing in this Treaty and the Regulations is intended to be construed as limiting the freedom of any Contracting State to apply measures deemed necessary for the preservation of its national security or to limit, for the protection of the general economic interests of that State, the right of its own residents or nationals to file international applications.

Article 28—Amendment of the Claims, the Description, and the Drawings, before

Designated Offices (1) The applicant shall be given the opportunity to amend the

claims, the description, and the drawings, before each desig- nated Office within the prescribed time limit. No designated Office shall grant a patent, or refuse the grant of a patent, be- fore such time limit has expired except with the express con- sent of the applicant.

(2) The amendments shall not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed unless the national law of the

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designated State permits them to go beyond the said disclos- ure.

(3) The amendments shall be in accordance with the national law of the designated State in all respects not provided for in this Treaty and the Regulations.

(4) Where the designated Office requires a translation of the inter- national application, the amendments shall be in the language of the translation.

Article 29—Effects of the International Publication

(1) As far as the protection of any rights of the applicant in a des- ignated State is concerned, the effects, in that State, of the international publication of an international application shall, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) to (4), be the same as those which the national law of the designated State pro- vides for the compulsory national publication of unexamined national applications as such.

(2) If the language in which the international publication has been effected is different from the language in which publications under the national law are effected in the designated State, the said national law may provide that the effects provided for in paragraph (1) shall be applicable only from such time as: (i) a translation into the latter language has been published

as provided by the national law, or (ii) a translation into the latter language has been made

available to the public, by laying open for public inspec- tion as provided by the national law, or

(iii) a translation into the latter language has been transmit- ted by the applicant to the actual or prospective un- authorized user of the invention claimed in the inter- national application, or

(iv) both the acts described in (i) and (iii), or both the acts described in (ii) and (iii), have taken place.

(3) The national law of any designated State may provide that, where the international publication has been effected, on the

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request of the applicant, before the expiration of 18 months from the priority date, the effects provided for in paragraph (1) shall be applicable only from the expiration of 18 months from the priority date.

(4) The national law of any designated State may provide that the effects provided for in paragraph (1) shall be applicable only from the date on which a copy of the international application as published under Article 21 has been received in the national Office of or acting for such State. The said Office shall publish the date of receipt in its gazette as soon as possible.

Article 30—Confidential Nature of the International Application

(1)(a) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b), the Inter- national Bureau and the International Searching Authorities shall not allow access by any person or authority to the international application before the international publication of that application, unless requested or authorized by the applicant.

(b) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall not apply to any transmittal to the competent International Searching Au- thority, to transmittals provided for under Article 13, and to communications provided for under Article 20.

(2)(a) No national Office shall allow access to the international ap- plication by third parties, unless requested or authorized by the applicant, before the earliest of the following dates: (i) date of the international publication of the international

application, (ii) date of the receipt of the communication of the inter-

national application under Article 20, (iii) date of the receipt of a copy of the international appli-

cation under Article 22. (b) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall not prevent any na-

tional Office from informing third parties that it has been des- ignated, or from publishing that fact. Such information or pub- lication may, however, contain only the following data: iden-

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tification of the receiving Office, name of the applicant, inter- national filing date, international application number, and title of the invention.

(c) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall not prevent any des- ignated Office from allowing access to the international appli- cation for the purposes of the judicial authorities.

(3) The provisions of paragraph (2)(a) shall apply to any receiving Office except as far as transmittals provided for under Article 12(1) are concerned.

(4) For the purposes of this Article, the term “access” covers any means by which third parties may acquire cognizance, includ- ing individual communication and general publication, pro- vided, however, that no national Office shall generally pub- lish an international application or its translation before the international publication or, if international publication has not taken place by the expiration of 20 months from the priority date, before the expiration of 20 months from the said priority date.

Chapter II International Preliminary Examination Article 31—Demand for International

Preliminary Examination (1) On the demand of the applicant, his international application

shall be the subject of an international preliminary examin- ation as provided in the following provisions and the Regula- tions.

(2)(a) Any applicant who is a resident or national, as defined in the Regulations, of a Contracting State bound by Chapter II, and whose international application has been filed with the receiv- ing Office of or acting for such State, may make a demand for international preliminary examination.

(b) The Assembly may decide to allow persons entitled to file international applications to make a demand for international

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preliminary examination even if they are residents or nationals of a State not party to this Treaty or not bound by Chapter II.

(3) The demand for international preliminary examination shall be made separately from the international application. The demand shall contain the prescribed particulars and shall be in the prescribed language and form.

(4)(a) The demand shall indicate the Contracting State or States in which the applicant intends to use the results of the inter- national preliminary examination (“elected States”). Addi- tional Contracting States may be elected later. Election may relate only to Contracting States already designated under Art- icle 4.

(b) Applicants referred to in paragraph (2)(a) may elect any Con- tracting State bound by Chapter II. Applicants referred to in paragraph (2)(b) may elect only such Contracting States bound by Chapter II as have declared that they are prepared to be elected by such applicants.

(5) The demand shall be subject to the payment of the prescribed fees within the prescribed time limit.

(6)(a) The demand shall be submitted to the competent International Preliminary Examining Authority referred to in Article 32.

(b) Any later election shall be submitted to the International Bu- reau.

(7) Each elected Office shall be notified of its election.

Article 32—The International Preliminary Examining Authority

(1) International preliminary examination shall be carried out by the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

(2) In the case of demands referred to in Article 31(2)(a), the re- ceiving Office, and, in the case of demands referred to in Art- icle 31(2)(b), the Assembly, shall, in accordance with the ap- plicable agreement between the interested International Pre- liminary Examining Authority or Authorities and the Inter- national Bureau, specify the International Preliminary Exam-

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Chapter II—continued Article 32—continued

ining Authority or Authorities competent for the preliminary examination.

(3) The provisions of Article 16(3) shall apply,murtatis mutandis, in respect of International Preliminary Examining Authorities.

Article 33—The International Preliminary Examination

(1) The objective of the international preliminary examination is to formulate a preliminary and non-binding opinion on the questions whether the claimed invention appears to be novel, to involve an inventive step (to be non-obvious), and to be in- dustrially applicable.

(2) For the purposes of the international preliminary examination, a claimed invention shall be considered novel if it is not an- ticipated by the prior art as defined in the Regulations.

(3) For the purposes of the international preliminary examination, a claimed invention shall be considered to involve an inventive step if, having regard to the prior art as defined in the Regu- lations, it is not, at the prescribed relevant date, obvious to a person skilled in the art.

(4) For the purposes of the international preliminary examination, a claimed invention shall be considered industrially applicable if, according to its nature, it can be made or used (in the tech- nological sense) in any kind of industry. “Industry” shall be understood in its broadest sense, as in the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

(5) The criteria described above merely serve the purposes of international preliminary examination. Any Contracting State may apply additional or different criteria for the purpose of deciding whether, in that State, the claimed invention is patentable or not.

(6) The international preliminary examination shall take into con- sideration all the documents cited in the international search report. It may take into consideration any additional docu- ments considered to be relevant in the particular case.

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Chapter II—continued

Article 34—Procedure before the International Preliminary Examining

Authority (1) Procedure before the International Preliminary Examining

Authority shall be governed by the provisions of this Treaty, the Regulations, and the agreement which the International Bureau shall conclude, subject to this Treaty and the Regula- tions, with the said Authority.

(2)(a) The applicant shall have a right to communicate orally and in writing with the International Preliminary Examining Author- ity.

(b) The applicant shall have a right to amend the claims, the description, and the drawings, in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time limit, before the international preliminary examination report is established. The amend- ment shall not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed.

(c) The applicant shall receive at least one written opinion from the International Preliminary Examining Authority unless such Authority considers that all of the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) the invention satisfies the criteria set forth in Article

33(1), (ii) the international application complies with the require-

ments of this Treaty and the Regulations in so far as checked by that Authority,

(iii) no observations are intended to be made under Article 35(2), last sentence.

(d) The applicant may respond to the written opinion. (3)(a) If the International Preliminary Examining Authority consid-

ers that the international application does not comply with the requirement of unity of invention as set forth in the Regula- tions, it may invite the applicant, at his option, to restrict the claims so as to comply with the requirement or to pay addi- tional fees.

(b) The national law of any elected State may provide that, where the applicant chooses to restrict the claims under subparagraph

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Chapter II—continued Article 34—continued

(a), those parts of the international application which, as a con- sequence of the restriction, are not to be the subject of inter- national preliminary examination shall, as far as effects in that State are concerned, be considered withdrawn unless a special fee is paid by the applicant to the national Office of that State.

(c) If the applicant does not comply with the invitation referred to in subparagraph (a) within the prescribed time limit, the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall establish an international preliminary examination report on those parts of the international application which relate to what appears to be the main invention and shall indicate the relevant facts in the said report. The national law of any elected State may provide that, where its national Office finds the invitation of the International Preliminary Examining Authority justified, those parts of the international application which do not relate to the main invention shall, as far as effects in that State are concerned, be considered withdrawn unless a special fee is paid by the applicant to that Office.

(4)(a) If the International Preliminary Examining Authority consid- ers— (i) that the international application relates to a subject

matter on which the International Preliminary Examin- ing Authority is not required, under the Regulations, to carry out an international preliminary examination, and in the particular case decides not to carry out such exam- ination, or

(ii) that the description, the claims, or the drawings, are so unclear, or the claims are so inadequately supported by the description, that no meaningful opinion can be formed on the novelty, inventive step (non-obvious- ness), or industrial applicability, of the claimed inven- tion,

the said Authority shall not go into the questions referred to in Article 33(1) and shall inform the applicant of this opinion and the reasons therefor.

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Chapter II—continued Article 34—continued

(b) If any of the situations referred to in subparagraph (a) is found to exist in, or in connectionwith, certain claims only, the provi- sions of that subparagraph shall apply only to the said claims.

Article 35—The International Preliminary Examination Report

(1) The international preliminary examination report shall be es- tablished within the prescribed time limit and in the prescribed form.

(2) The international preliminary examination report shall not contain any statement on the question whether the claimed invention is or seems to be patentable or unpatentable accord- ing to any national law. It shall state, subject to the provisions of paragraph (3), in relation to each claim, whether the claim appears to satisfy the criteria of novelty, inventive step (non-obviousness), and industrial applicability, as defined for the purposes of the international preliminary examination in Article 33(1) to (4). The statement shall be accompanied by the citation of the documents believed to support the stated conclusion with such explanations as the circumstances of the case may require. The statement shall also be accompanied by such other observations as the Regulations provide for.

(3)(a) If, at the time of establishing the international preliminary examination report, the International Preliminary Examining Authority considers that any of the situations referred to inArt- icle 34(4)(a) exists, that report shall state this opinion and the reasons therefor. It shall not contain any statement as provided in paragraph (2).

(b) If a situation under Article 34(4)(b) is found to exist, the inter- national preliminary examination report shall, in relation to the claims in question, contain the statement as provided in sub- paragraph (a), whereas, in relation to the other claims, it shall contain the statement as provided in paragraph (2).

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Chapter II—continued

Article 36—Transmittal, Translation, and Communication, of the International

Preliminary Examination Report (1) The international preliminary examination report, together

with the prescribed annexes, shall be transmitted to the appli- cant and to the International Bureau.

(2)(a) The international preliminary examination report and its an- nexes shall be translated into the prescribed languages.

(b) Any translation of the said report shall be prepared by or under the responsibility of the International Bureau, whereas any translation of the said annexes shall be prepared by the ap- plicant.

(3)(a) The international preliminary examination report, together with its translation (as prescribed) and its annexes (in the ori- ginal language), shall be communicated by the International Bureau to each elected Office.

(b) The prescribed translation of the annexes shall be transmitted within the prescribed time limit by the applicant to the elected Offices.

(4) The provisions of Article 20(3) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to copies of any document which is cited in the international preliminary examination report and which was not cited in the international search report.

Article 37—Withdrawal of Demand or Election

(1) The applicant may withdraw any or all elections. (2) If the election of all elected States is withdrawn, the demand

shall be considered withdrawn. (3)(a) Any withdrawal shall be notified to the International Bureau. (b) The elected Offices concerned and the International Prelimin-

ary Examining Authority concerned shall be notified accord- ingly by the International Bureau.

(4)(a) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b), withdrawal of the demand or of the election of a Contracting State shall, un- less the national law of that State provides otherwise, be con-

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Chapter II—continued Article 37—continued

sidered to be withdrawal of the international application as far as that State is concerned.

(b) Withdrawal of the demand or of the election shall not be con- sidered to be withdrawal of the international application if such withdrawal is effected prior to the expiration of the ap- plicable time limit under Article 22; however, any Contract- ing State may provide in its national law that the aforesaid shall apply only if its national Office has received, within the said time limit, a copy of the international application, together with a translation (as prescribed), and the national fee.

Article 38—Confidential Nature of the International Preliminary Examination

(1) Neither the International Bureau nor the International Prelim- inary Examining Authority shall, unless requested or autho- rized by the applicant, allow access within the meaning, and with the proviso, of Article 30(4) to the file of the international preliminary examination by any person or authority at any time, except by the elected Offices once the international pre- liminary examination report has been established.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (1) and Articles 36(1) and (3) and 37(3)(b), neither the International Bureau nor the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall, unless requested or authorized by the applicant, give information on the issuance or non-issuance of an international preliminary examination report and on the withdrawal or nonwithdrawal of the demand or of any election.

Article 39—Copy, Translation, and Fee, to Elected Offices

(1)(a) If the election of any Contracting State has been effected prior to the expiration of the 19th month from the priority date, the provisions of Article 22 shall not apply to such State and the applicant shall furnish a copy of the international application (unless the communication under Article 20 has already taken place) and a translation thereof (as prescribed), and pay the

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Chapter II—continued Article 39—continued

national fee (if any), to each elected Office not later than at the expiration of 30 months from the priority date.

(b) Any national law may, for performing the acts referred to in subparagraph (a), fix time limits which expire later than the time limit provided for in that subparagraph.

(2) The effect provided for in Article 11(3) shall cease in the elected State with the same consequences as the withdrawal of any national application in that State if the applicant fails to perform the acts referred to in paragraph (1)(a) within the time limit applicable under paragraph (1)(a) or (b).

(3) Any elected Office may maintain the effect provided for in Article 11(3) even where the applicant does not comply with the requirements provided for in paragraph (1)(a) or (b).

Article 40—Delaying of National Examination and Other Processing

(1) If the election of any Contracting State has been effected prior to the expiration of the 19th month from the priority date, the provisions of Article 23 shall not apply to such State and the national Office of or acting for that State shall not proceed, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), to the examination and other processing of the international application prior to the expiration of the applicable time limit under Article 39.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), any elected Office may, on the express request of the applicant, proceed to the examination and other processing of the international application at any time.

Article 41—Amendment of the Claims, the Description, and the Drawings, before

Elected Offices (1) The applicant shall be given the opportunity to amend the

claims, the description, and the drawings, before each elected Office within the prescribed time limit. No elected Office shall grant a patent, or refuse the grant of a patent, before such time

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Chapter II—continued Article 41—continued

limit has expired, except with the express consent of the ap- plicant.

(2) The amendments shall not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed, unless the national law of the elected State permits them to go beyond the said disclosure.

(3) The amendments shall be in accordance with the national law of the elected State in all respects not provided for in this Treaty and the Regulations.

(4) Where an elected Office requires a translation of the inter- national application, the amendments shall be in the language of the translation.

Article 42—Results of National Examination in Elected Offices

No elected Office receiving the international preliminary examin- ation report may require that the applicant furnish copies, or informa- tion on the contents, of any papers connected with the examination relating to the same international application in any other elected Of- fice.

Chapter III Common Provisions

Article 43—Seeking Certain Kinds of Protection

In respect of any designated or elected State whose law provides for the grant of inventors’ certificates, utility certificates, utility models, patents or certificates of addition, inventors’ certificates of addition, or utility certificates of addition, the applicant may indicate, as pre- scribed in the Regulations, that his international application is for the grant, as far as that State is concerned, of an inventor’s certificate, a utility certificate, or a utility model, rather than a patent, or that it is for the grant of a patent or certificate of addition, an inventor’s cer- tificate of addition, or a utility certificate of addition, and the ensuing effect shall be governed by the applicant’s choice. For the purposes of this Article and any Rule thereunder, Article 2(ii) shall not apply.

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Chapter III—continued

Article 44—Seeking Two Kinds of Protection In respect of any designated or elected State whose law permits an application, while being for the grant of a patent or one of the other kinds of protection referred to in Article 43, to be also for the grant of another of the said kinds of protection, the applicant may indicate, as prescribed in the Regulations, the two kinds of protection he is seeking, and the ensuing effect shall be governed by the applicant’s indications. For the purposes of this Article, Article 2(ii) shall not apply.

Article 45—Regional Patent Treaties (1) Any treaty providing for the grant of regional patents (“re-

gional patent treaty”), and giving to all persons who, accord- ing to Article 9, are entitled to file international applications the right to file applications for such patents, may provide that international applications designating or electing a State party to both the regional patent treaty and the present Treaty may be filed as applications for such patents.

(2) The national law of the said designated or elected State may provide that any designation or election of such State in the international application shall have the effect of an indication of the wish to obtain a regional patent under the regional patent treaty.

Article 46—Incorrect Translation of the International Application

If, because of an incorrect translation of the international application, the scope of any patent granted on that application exceeds the scope of the international application in its original language, the competent authorities of the Contracting State concerned may accordingly and retroactively limit the scope of the patent, and declare it null and void to the extent that its scope has exceeded the scope of the international application in its original language.

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Chapter III—continued

Article 47—Time Limits (1) The details for computing time limits referred to in this Treaty

are governed by the Regulations. (2)(a) All time limits fixed in Chapters I and II of this Treaty may,

outside any revision under Article 60, be modified by a deci- sion of the Contracting States.

(b) Such decisions shall be made in the Assembly or through vot- ing by correspondence and must be unanimous.

Article 48—Delay in Meeting Certain Time Limits

(1) Where any time limit fixed in this Treaty or the Regulations is not met because of interruption in the mail service or unavoid- able loss or delay in the mail, the time limit shall be deemed to be met in the cases and subject to the proof and other con- ditions prescribed in the Regulations.

(2)(a) Any Contracting State shall, as far as that State is concerned, excuse, for reasons admitted under its national law, any delay in meeting any time limit.

(b) Any Contracting State may, as far as that State is concerned, excuse, for reasons other than those referred to in subpara- graph (a), any delay in meeting any time limit.

Article 49—Right to Practice before International Authorities

Any attorney, patent agent, or other person, having the right to prac- tice before the national Office with which the international applica- tionwas filed, shall be entitled to practice before the International Bu- reau and the competent International Searching Authority and com- petent International Preliminary Examining Authority in respect of that application.

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Chapter IV Technical Services

Article 50—Patent Information Services (1) The International Bureau may furnish services by providing

technical and any other pertinent information available to it on the basis of published documents, primarily patents and pub- lished applications (referred to in this Article as “the informa- tion services”).

(2) The International Bureau may provide these information services either directly or through one or more International Searching Authorities or other national or international spe- cialized institutions, with which the International Bureau may reach agreement.

(3) The information services shall be operated in a way particu- larly facilitating the acquisition by Contracting States which are developing countries of technical knowledge and technol- ogy, including available published know-how.

(4) The information services shall be available to Governments of Contracting States and their nationals and residents. The Assembly may decide to make these services available also to others.

(5)(a) Any service to Governments of Contracting States shall be furnished at cost, provided that, when the Government is that of a Contracting State which is a developing country, the ser- vice shall be furnished below cost if the difference can be covered from profit made on services furnished to others than Governments of Contracting States or from the sources re- ferred to in Article 51(4).

(b) The cost referred to in subparagraph (a) is to be understood as cost over and above costs normally incident to the perform- ance of the services of a national Office or the obligations of an International Searching Authority.

(6) The details concerning the implementation of the provisions of this Article shall be governed by decisions of the Assembly and, within the limits to be fixed by the Assembly, such work- ing groups as the Assembly may set up for that purpose.

(7) The Assembly shall, when it considers it necessary, recom- mend methods of providing financing supplementary to those referred to in paragraph (5).

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Chapter IV—continued

Article 51—Technical Assistance (1) The Assembly shall establish a Committee for Technical As-

sistance (referred to in this Article as “the Committee”). (2)(a) The members of the Committee shall be elected among the

Contracting States, with due regard to the representation of developing countries.

(b) The Director General shall, on his own initiative or at the re- quest of the Committee, invite representatives of intergovern- mental organizations concerned with technical assistance to developing countries to participate in the work of the Com- mittee.

(3)(a) The task of the Committee shall be to organize and supervise technical assistance for Contracting States which are develop- ing countries in developing their patent systems individually or on a regional basis.

(b) The technical assistance shall comprise, among other things, the training of specialists, the loaning of experts, and the sup- ply of equipment both for demonstration and for operational purposes.

(4) The International Bureau shall seek to enter into agreements, on the one hand, with international financing organizations and intergovernmental organizations, particularly the United Na- tions, the agencies of the United Nations, and the Specialized Agencies connected with the United Nations concerned with technical assistance, and, on the other hand, with the Govern- ments of the States receiving the technical assistance, for the financing of projects pursuant to this Article.

(5) The details concerning the implementation of the provisions of this Article shall be governed by decisions of the Assembly and, within the limits to be fixed by the Assembly, such work- ing groups as the Assembly may set up for that purpose.

Article 52—Relations with Other Provisions of the Treaty

Nothing in this Chapter shall affect the financial provisions contained in any other Chapter of this Treaty. Such provisions are not applic- able to the present Chapter or to its implementation.

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Chapter V Administrative Provisions Article 53—Assembly

(1)(a) The Assembly shall, subject to Article 57(8), consist of the Contracting States.

(b) The Government of each Contracting State shall be repre- sented by one delegate, who may be assisted by alternate delegates, advisors, and experts.

(2)(a) The Assembly shall: (i) deal with all matters concerning the maintenance and

development of the union and the implementation of this Treaty;

(ii) perform such tasks as are specifically assigned to it under other provisions of this Treaty;

(iii) give directions to the International Bureau concerning the preparation for revision conferences;

(iv) review and approve the reports and activities of the Director General concerning the Union, and give him all necessary instructions concerning matters within the competence of the Union;

(v) review and approve the reports and activities of the Ex- ecutive Committee established under paragraph (9), and give instructions to such Committee;

(vi) determine the program and adopt the triennial1 budget of the Union, and approve its final accounts;

(vii) adopt the financial regulations of the Union; (viii) establish such committees and working groups as it

deems appropriate to achieve the objectives of the Union;

(ix) determine which States other than Contracting States and, subject to the provisions of paragraph (8), which intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations shall be admitted to its meetings as ob- servers;

(x) take any other appropriate action designed to further the objectives of the Union and perform such other func- tions as are appropriate under this Treaty.

Editor’s Note: Since 1980, the budget of the Union is biennial.1

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Chapter V—continued Article 53—continued

(b) With respect to matters which are of interest also to other Unions administered by the Organization, the Assembly shall make its decisions after having heard the advice of the Coord- ination Committee of the Organization.

(3) A delegate may represent, and vote in the name of, one State only.

(4) Each Contracting State shall have one vote. (5)(a) One-half of the Contracting States shall constitute a quorum. (b) In the absence of the quorum, the Assembly may make deci-

sions but, with the exception of decisions concerning its own procedure, all such decisions shall take effect only if the quo- rum and the required majority are attained through voting by correspondence as provided in the Regulations.

(6)(a) Subject to the provisions of Articles 47(2)(b), 58(2)(b), 58(3) and 61(2)(b), the decisions of the Assembly shall require two- thirds of the votes cast.

(b) Abstentions shall not be considered as votes. (7) In connection with matters of exclusive interest to States

bound by Chapter II, any reference to Contracting States in paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), shall be considered as applying only to States bound by Chapter II.

(8) Any intergovernmental organization appointed as Inter- national Searching or Preliminary Examining Authority shall be admitted as observer to the Assembly.

(9) When the number of Contracting States exceeds forty, the As- sembly shall establish an Executive Committee. Any refer- ence to the Executive Committee in this Treaty and the Regula- tions shall be construed as references to such Committee once it has been established.

(10) Until the Executive Committee has been established, the As- sembly shall approve, within the limits of the program and tri- ennial budget, the annual programs and budgets prepared by the Director General.2

(11)(a) The Assembly shall meet in every second calendar year in ordinary session upon convocation by the Director General

Editor’s Note: Since 1980, the program and budget of the Union are biennial.2

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Chapter V—continued Article 53—continued

and, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, during the same period and at the same place as the General Assembly of the Organization.

(b) TheAssembly shall meet in extraordinary session upon convo- cation by the Director General, at the request of the Executive Committee, or at the request of one-fourth of the Contracting States.

(12) The Assembly shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

Article 54—Executive Committee (1) When the Assembly has established an Executive Committee,

that Committee shall be subject to the provisions set forth here- inafter.

(2)(a) The Executive Committee shall, subject to Article 57(8), consist of States elected by the Assembly from among States members of the Assembly.

(b) The Government of each State member of the Executive Com- mittee shall be represented by one delegate, who may be as- sisted by alternate delegates, advisors, and experts.

(3) The number of States members of the Executive Committee shall correspond to one-fourth of the number of States mem- bers of the Assembly. In establishing the number of seats to be filled, remainders after division by four shall be disregarded.

(4) In electing the members of the Executive Committee, the As- sembly shall have due regard to an equitable geographical dis- tribution.

(5)(a) Each member of the Executive Committee shall serve from the close of the session of the Assembly which elected it to the close of the next ordinary session of the Assembly.

(b) Members of the Executive Committee may be re-elected but only up to a maximum of two-thirds of such members.

(c) The Assembly shall establish the details of the rules governing the election and possible re-election of the members of the Executive Committee.

(6)(a) The Executive Committee shall: (i) prepare the draft agenda of the Assembly;

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Chapter V—continued Article 54—continued

(ii) submit proposals to the Assembly in respect of the draft program and biennial budget of the Union prepared by the Director General;

(iii) [deleted] (iv) submit, with appropriate comments, to the Assembly

the periodical reports of the Director General and the yearly audit reports on the accounts;

(v) take all necessary measures to ensure the execution of the program of the Union by the Director General, in ac- cordance with the decisions of the Assembly and having regard to circumstances arising between two ordinary sessions of the Assembly;

(vi) perform such other functions as are allocated to it under this Treaty.

(b) With respect to matters which are of interest also to other Unions administered by the Organization, the Executive Com- mittee shall make its decisions after having heard the advice of the Coordination Committee of the Organization.

(7)(a) The Executive Committee shall meet once a year in ordinary session upon convocation by the Director General, preferably during the same period and at the same place as the Coordin- ation Committee of the Organization.

(b) The Executive Committee shall meet in extraordinary session upon convocation by the Director General, either on his own initiative or at the request of its Chairman or one-fourth of its members.

(8)(a) Each State member of the Executive Committee shall have one vote.

(b) One-half of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

(c) Decisions shall be made by a simple majority of the votes cast. (d) Abstentions shall not be considered as votes. (e) A delegate may represent, and vote in the name of, one State

only. (9) Contracting States not members of the Executive Commit-

tee shall be admitted to its meetings as observers, as well as

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Chapter V—continued Article 54—continued

any intergovernmental organization appointed as International Searching or Preliminary Examining Authority.

(10) The Executive Committee shall adopt its own rules of proced- ure.

Article 55—International Bureau (1) Administrative tasks concerning the Union shall be performed

by the International Bureau. (2) The International Bureau shall provide the secretariat of the

various organs of the Union. (3) The Director General shall be the chief executive of the Union

and shall represent the Union. (4) The International Bureau shall publish a Gazette and other

publications provided for by the Regulations or required by the Assembly.

(5) The Regulations shall specify the services that national Offices shall perform in order to assist the International Bureau and the International Searching and Preliminary Examining Au- thorities in carrying out their tasks under this Treaty.

(6) The Director General and any staff member designated by him shall participate, without the right to vote, in all meetings of the Assembly, the Executive Committee and any other com- mittee or working group established under this Treaty or the Regulations. The Director General, or a staff member desig- nated by him, shall be ex officio secretary of these bodies.

(7)(a) The International Bureau shall, in accordance with the di- rections of the Assembly and in cooperation with the Execu- tive Committee, make the preparations for the revision confer- ences.

(b) The International Bureau may consult with intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations concerning preparations for revision conferences.

(c) The Director General and persons designated by him shall take part, without the right to vote, in the discussions at revision conferences.

(8) The International Bureau shall carry out any other tasks as- signed to it.

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Chapter V—continued

Article 56—Committee for Technical Cooperation

(1) The Assembly shall establish a Committee for Technical Co- operation (referred to in this Article as “the Committee”).

(2)(a) The Assembly shall determine the composition of the Com- mittee and appoint its members, with due regard to an equit- able representation of developing countries.

(b) The International Searching and Preliminary Examining Au- thorities shall be ex officio members of the Committee. In the case where such an Authority is the national Office of a Con- tracting State, that State shall not be additionally represented on the Committee.

(c) If the number of Contracting States so allows, the total number of members of the Committee shall be more than double the number of ex officio members.

(d) The Director General shall, on his own initiative or at the re- quest of the Committee, invite representatives of interested or- ganizations to participate in discussions of interest to them.

(3) The aim of the Committee shall be to contribute, by advice and recommendations: (i) to the constant improvement of the services provided

for under this Treaty, (ii) to the securing, so long as there are several International

Searching Authorities and several International Prelim- inary Examining Authorities, of the maximum degree of uniformity in their documentation and working methods and the maximum degree of uniformly high quality in their reports, and

(iii) on the initiative of the Assembly or the Executive Com- mittee, to the solution of the technical problems specif- ically involved in the establishment of a single Inter- national Searching Authority.

(4) Any Contracting State and any interested international organ- ization may approach the Committee in writing on questions which fall within the competence of the Committee.

(5) The Committee may address its advice and recommendations to the Director General or, through him, to the Assembly, the

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Chapter V—continued Article 56—continued

Executive Committee, all or some of the International Search- ing and Preliminary Examining Authorities, and all or some of the receiving Offices.

(6)(a) In any case, the Director General shall transmit to the Execu- tive Committee the texts of all the advice and recommenda- tions of the Committee. He may comment on such texts.

(b) The Executive Committee may express its views on any ad- vice, recommendation, or other activity of the Committee, and may invite the Committee to study and report on questions falling within its competence. The Executive Committee may submit to the Assembly, with appropriate comments, the ad- vice, recommendations and report of the Committee.

(7) Until the Executive Committee has been established, refer- ences in paragraph (6) to the Executive Committee shall be construed as references to the Assembly.

(8) The details of the procedure of the Committee shall be gov- erned by the decisions of the Assembly.

Article 57—Finances (1)(a) The Union shall have a budget. (b) The budget of theUnion shall include the income and expenses

proper to the Union and its contribution to the budget of ex- penses common to the Unions administered by the Organiza- tion.

(c) Expenses not attributable exclusively to the Union but also to one or more other Unions administered by the Organization shall be considered as expenses common to the Unions. The share of the Union in such common expenses shall be in pro- portion to the interest the Union has in them.

(2) The budget of the Union shall be establishedwith due regard to the requirements of coordination with the budgets of the other Unions administered by the Organization.

(3) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (5), the budget of the Union shall be financed from the following sources: (i) fees and charges due for services rendered by the Inter-

national Bureau in relation to the Union;

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Chapter V—continued Article 57—continued

(ii) sale of, or royalties on, the publications of the Inter- national Bureau concerning the Union;

(iii) gifts, bequests, and subventions; (iv) rents, interests, and other miscellaneous income.

(4) The amounts of fees and charges due to the International Bu- reau and the prices of its publications shall be so fixed that they should, under normal circumstances, be sufficient to cover all the expenses of the International Bureau connected with the administration of this Treaty.

(5)(a) Should any financial year close with a deficit, the Contracting States shall, subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (b) and (c), pay contributions to cover such deficit.

(b) The amount of the contribution of each Contracting State shall be decided by the Assembly with due regard to the number of international applications which has emanated from each of them in the relevant year.

(c) If other means of provisionally covering any deficit or any part thereof are secured, the Assembly may decide that such deficit be carried forward and that the Contracting States should not be asked to pay contributions.

(d) If the financial situation of the Union so permits, the Assembly may decide that any contributions paid under subparagraph (a) be reimbursed to the Contracting States which have paid them.

(e) A Contracting State which has not paid, within two years of the due date as established by the Assembly, its contribution under subparagraph (b) may not exercise its right to vote in any of the organs of the Union. However, any organ of the Union may allow such a State to continue to exercise its right to vote in that organ so long as it is satisfied that the delay in payment is due to exceptional and unavoidable circumstances.

(6) If the budget is not adopted before the beginning of a new financial period, it shall be at the same level as the budget of the previous year, as provided in the financial regulations.

(7)(a) The Union shall have a working capital fund which shall be constituted by a single payment made by each Contracting State. If the fund becomes insufficient, the Assembly shall

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arrange to increase it. If part of the fund is no longer needed, it shall be reimbursed.

(b) The amount of the initial payment of each Contracting State to the said fund or of its participation in the increase thereof shall be decided by the Assembly on the basis of principles similar to those provided for under paragraph (5)(b).

(c) The terms of payment shall be fixed by the Assembly on the proposal of the Director General and after it has heard the ad- vice of the Coordination Committee of the Organization.

(d) Any reimbursement shall be proportionate to the amounts paid by each Contracting State, taking into account the dates at which they were paid.

(8)(a) In the headquarters agreement concluded with the State on the territory of which theOrganization has its headquarters, it shall be provided that, whenever the working capital fund is insuf- ficient, such State shall grant advances. The amount of these advances and the conditions on which they are granted shall be the subject of separate agreements, in each case, between such State and the Organization. As long as it remains under the obligation to grant advances, such State shall have an ex officio seat in the Assembly and on the Executive Committee.

(b) The State referred to in subparagraph (a) and the Organization shall each have the right to denounce the obligation to grant advances, by written notification. Denunciation shall take ef- fect three years after the end of the year in which it has been notified.

(9) The auditing of the accounts shall be effected by one or more of the Contracting States or by external auditors, as provided in the financial regulations. They shall be designated, with their agreement, by the Assembly.

Article 58—Regulations (1) The Regulations annexed to this Treaty provide Rules:

(i) concerning matters in respect of which this Treaty ex- pressly refers to the Regulations or expressly provides that they are or shall be prescribed,

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(ii) concerning any administrative requirements, matters, or procedures,

(iii) concerning any details useful in the implementation of the provisions of this Treaty.

(2)(a) The Assembly may amend the Regulations. (b) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3), amendments shall

require three-fourths of the votes cast. (3)(a) The Regulations specify the Rules which may be amended

(i) only by unanimous consent, or (ii) only if none of the Contracting States whose national

Office acts as an International Searching or Prelimin- ary Examining Authority dissents, and, where such Au- thority is an intergovernmental organization, if the Con- tracting State member of that organization authorized for that purpose by the other member States within the competent body of such organization does not dissent.

(b) Exclusion, for the future, of any such Rules from the ap- plicable requirement shall require the fulfillment of the conditions referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) or (a)(ii), respectively.

(c) Inclusion, for the future, of any Rule in one or the other of the requirements referred to in subparagraph (a) shall require unanimous consent.

(4) The Regulations provide for the establishment, under the con- trol of theAssembly, of Administrative Instructions by theDir- ector General.

(5) In the case of conflict between the provisions of the Treaty and those of the Regulations, the provisions of the Treaty shall prevail.

Chapter VI Disputes

Article 59—Disputes Subject to Article 64(5), any dispute between two or more Contract- ing States concerning the interpretation or application of this Treaty or the Regulations, not settled by negotiation, may, by any one of

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the States concerned, be brought before the International Court of Justice by application in conformity with the Statute of the Court, unless the States concerned agree on some other method of settle- ment. The Contracting State bringing the dispute before the Court shall inform the International Bureau; the International Bureau shall bring the matter to the attention of the other Contracting States.

Chapter VII Revision and Amendment

Article 60—Revision of the Treaty (1) This Treaty may be revised from time to time by a special

conference of the Contracting States. (2) The convocation of any revision conference shall be decided

by the Assembly. (3) Any intergovernmental organization appointed as Inter-

national Searching or Preliminary Examining Authority shall be admitted as observer to any revision conference.

(4) Articles 53(5), (9) and (11), 54, 55(4) to (8), 56, and 57, may be amended either by a revision conference or according to the provisions of Article 61.

Article 61—Amendment of Certain Provisions of the Treaty

(1)(a) Proposals for the amendment of Articles 53(5), (9) and (11), 54, 55(4) to (8), 56, and 57, may be initiated by any State member of the Assembly, by the Executive Committee, or by the Director General.

(b) Such proposals shall be communicated by the Director Gen- eral to the Contracting States at least six months in advance of their consideration by the Assembly.

(2)(a) Amendments to the Articles referred to in paragraph (1) shall be adopted by the Assembly.

(b) Adoption shall require three-fourths of the votes cast. (3)(a) Any amendment to the Articles referred to in paragraph (1)

shall enter into force one month after written notifications of

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acceptance, effected in accordance with their respective con- stitutional processes, have been received by the Director Gen- eral from three-fourths of the States members of the Assembly at the time it adopted the amendment.

(b) Any amendment to the said Articles thus accepted shall bind all the States which are members of the Assembly at the time the amendment enters into force, provided that any amend- ment increasing the financial obligations of the Contracting States shall bind only those States which have notified their acceptance of such amendment.

(c) Any amendment accepted in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (a) shall bind all States which become mem- bers of the Assembly after the date on which the amendment entered into force in accordance with the provisions of sub- paragraph (a).

Chapter VIII Final Provisions

Article 62—Becoming Party to the Treaty (1) Any State member of the International Union for the Protec-

tion of Industrial Property may become party to this Treaty by: (i) signature followed by the deposit of an instrument of

ratification, or (ii) deposit of an instrument of accession.

(2) Instruments of ratification or accession shall be deposited with the Director General.

(3) The provisions of Article 24 of the Stockholm Act of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property shall apply to this Treaty.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall in no way be understood as implying the recognition or tacit acceptance by a Contracting State of the factual situation concerning a territory to which this Treaty is made applicable by another Contracting State by virtue of the said paragraph.

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Chapter VIII—continued

Article 63—Entry into Force of the Treaty (1)(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3), this Treaty shall

enter into force three months after eight States have deposited their instruments of ratification of accession, provided that at least four of those States each fulfill any of the following con- ditions: (i) the number of applications filed in the State has ex-

ceeded 40,000 according to the most recent annual statistics published by the International Bureau,

(ii) the nationals or residents of the State have filed at least 1,000 applications in one foreign country according to the most recent annual statistics published by the Inter- national Bureau,

(iii) the national Office of the State has received at least 10,000 applications from nationals or residents of foreign countries according to the most recent annual statistics published by the International Bureau.

(b) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “applications” does not include applications for utility models.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3), any State which does not become party to this Treaty upon entry into force under paragraph (1) shall become bound by this Treaty three months after the date on which such State has deposited its instrument of ratification or accession.

(3) The provisions of Chapter II and the corresponding provisions of the Regulations annexed to this Treaty shall become applic- able, however, only on the date on which three States each of which fulfill at least one of the three requirements specified in paragraph (1) have become party to this Treaty without declar- ing, as provided in Article 64(1), that they do not intend to be bound by the provisions of Chapter II. That date shall not, however, be prior to that of the initial entry into force under paragraph (1).

Article 64—Reservations (1)(a) Any State may declare that it shall not be bound by the provi-

sions of Chapter II.

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(b) States making a declaration under subparagraph (a) shall not be bound by the provisions of Chapter II and the corresponding provisions of the Regulations.

(2)(a) Any State not having made a declaration under paragraph (1)(a) may declare that: (i) it shall not be bound by the provisions of Article 39(1)

with respect to the furnishing of a copy of the inter- national application and a translation thereof (as pre- scribed),

(ii) the obligation to delay national processing, as provided for under Article 40, shall not prevent publication, by or through its national Office, of the international ap- plication or a translation thereof, it being understood, however, that it is not exempted from the limitations provided for in Articles 30 and 38.

(b) States making such a declaration shall be bound accordingly. (3)(a) Any State may declare that, as far as it is concerned, inter-

national publication of international applications is not required.

(b) Where, at the expiration of 18 months from the priority date, the international application contains the designation only of such State as have made declarations under subparagraph (a), the international application shall not be published by virtue of Article 21(2).

(c) Where the provisions of subparagraph (b) apply, the inter- national application shall nevertheless be published by the International Bureau: (i) at the request of the applicant, as provided in the Regu-

lations, (ii) when a national application or a patent based on the

international application is published by or on behalf of the national Office of any designated State having made a declaration under subparagraph (a), promptly after such publication but not before the expiration of 18 months from the priority date.

(4)(a) Any State whose national law provides for prior art effect of its patents as from a date before publication, but does not

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Chapter VIII—continued Article 64—continued

equate for prior art purposes the priority date claimed under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property to the actual filing date in that State, may declare that the fil- ing outside that State of an international application designat- ing that State is not equated to an actual filing in that State for prior art purposes.

(b) Any State making a declaration under subparagraph (a) shall to that extent not be bound by the provisions of Article 11(3).

(c) Any State making a declaration under subparagraph (a) shall, at the same time, state in writing the date from which, and the conditions under which, the prior art effect of any inter- national application designating that State becomes effective in that State. This statement may be modified at any time by notification addressed to the Director General.

(5) Each State may declare that it does not consider itself bound by Article 59. With regard to any dispute between any Con- tracting State having made such a declaration and any other Contracting State, the provisions of Article 59 shall not apply.

(6)(a) Any declaration made under this Article shall be made in writ- ing. It may be made at the time of signing this Treaty, at the time of depositing the instrument of ratification or accession, or, except in the case referred to in paragraph (5), at any later time by notification addressed to the Director General. In the case of the said notification, the declaration shall take effect six months after the day on which the Director General has received the notification, and shall not affect international ap- plications filed prior to the expiration of the said six-month period.

(b) Any declaration made under this Article may be withdrawn at any time by notification addressed to the Director General. Such withdrawal shall take effect three months after the day on which the Director General has received the notification and, in the case of the withdrawal of a declaration made under paragraph (3), shall not affect international applications filed prior the expiration of the said three-month period.

(7) No reservations to this Treaty other than the reservations under paragraphs (1) to (5) are permitted.

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Chapter VIII—continued

Article 65—Gradual Application (1) If the agreement with any International Searching or Prelim-

inary Examining Authority provides, transitionally, for limits on the number or kind of international applications that such Authority undertakes to process, the Assembly shall adopt the measures necessary for the gradual application of this Treaty and the Regulations in respect of given categories of inter- national applications. This provision shall also apply to re- quests for an international-type search under Article 15(5).

(2) The Assembly shall fix the dates from which, subject to the provision of paragraph (1), international applications may be filed and demands for international preliminary examination may be submitted. Such dates shall not be later than six months after this Treaty has entered into force according to the provisions of Article 63(1), or after Chapter II has become applicable under Article 63(3), respectively.

Article 66—Denunciation (1) Any Contracting State may denounce this Treaty by notifica-

tion addressed to the Director General. (2) Denunciation shall take effect six months after receipt of the

said notification by the Director General. It shall not affect the effects of the international application in the denouncing State if the international application was filed, and, where the de- nouncing State has been elected, the election was made, prior to the expiration of the said six-month period.

Article 67—Signature and Languages (1)(a) This Treaty shall be signed in a single original in the English

and French languages, both texts being equally authentic. (b) Official texts shall be established by the Director General, after

consultation with the interested Governments, in the German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish languages, and such other languages as the Assembly may designate.

(2) This Treaty shall remain open for signature at Washington until December 31, 1970.

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Chapter VIII—continued

Article 68—Depositary Functions (1) The original of this Treaty, when no longer open for signature,

shall be deposited with the Director General. (2) The Director General shall transmit two copies, certified by

him, of this Treaty and the Regulations annexed hereto to the Governments of all States party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and, on request, to the Government of any other State.

(3) The Director General shall register this Treaty with the Secre- tariat of the United Nations.

(4) The Director General shall transmit two copies, certified by him, of any amendment to this Treaty and the Regulations to the Governments of all Contracting States and, on request, to the Government of any other State.

Article 69—Notifications The Director General shall notify the Governments of all States party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of: (i) signatures under Article 62, (ii) deposits of instruments of ratification or accession under Art-

icle 62, (iii) the date of entry into force of this Treaty and the date from

which Chapter II is applicable in accordance with Article 63(3),

(iv) any declarations made under Article 64(1) to (5), (v) withdrawals of any declarations made under Article 64(6)(b), (vi) denunciations received under Article 66, and (vii) any declarations made under Article 31(4).

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Schedule 2 s 2 Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (as in force from 1 July 1992)

Part A Introductory Rules

Rule 1—Abbreviated Expressions 1.1 Meaning of Abbreviated Expressions (a) In these Regulations, the word “Treaty” means the Patent Co-

operation Treaty. (b) In these Regulations, the words “Chapter” and “Article” refer

to the specified Chapter or Article of the Treaty.

Rule 2—Interpretation of Certain Words 2.1 “Applicant” Whenever theword “applicant” is used, it shall be construed asmean- ing also the agent or other representative of the applicant, except where the contrary clearly follows from the wording or the nature of the provision, or the context in which the word is used, such as, in particular, where the provision refers to the residence or nationality of the applicant.

2.2 “Agent” Whenever the word “agent” is used, it shall be construed as meaning an agent appointed under Rule 90.1, unless the contrary clearly fol- lows from the wording or the nature of the provision, or the context in which the word is used.

2.2bis “Common Representative” Whenever the expression “common representative” is used, it shall be construed as meaning an applicant appointed as, or considered to be, the common representative under Rule 90.2.

2.3 “Signature” Whenever the word “signature” is used, it shall be understood that, if the national law applied by the Receiving Office or the competent International Searching or Preliminary Examining Authority require

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Part A—continued Rule 2—continued

the use of a seal instead of a signature, the word, for the purposes of that Office or Authority, shall mean seal.

Part B Rules Concerning Chapter I of the Treaty

Rule 3—The Request (Form) 3.1 Form of Request The request shall be made on a printed form or be presented as a computer print-out.

3.2 Availability of Forms Copies of the printed form shall be furnished free of charge to the ap- plicants by the receiving Office, or, if the receiving Office so desires, by the International Bureau.

3.3 Check List (a) The request shall contain a list indicating:

(i) the total number of sheets constituting the international application and the number of the sheets of each elem- ent of the international application (request, description, claims, drawings, abstract);

(ii) whether or not the international application as filed is accompanied by a power of attorney (i.e., a document appointing an agent or a common representative), a copy of a general power of attorney, a priority docu- ment, a document relating to the payment of fees, and any other document (to be specified in the check list);

(iii) the number of that figure of the drawings which the ap- plicant suggest should accompany the abstract when the abstract is published; in exceptional cases, the applicant may suggest more than one figure.

(b) The list shall be completed by the applicant, failing which the receiving Office shall make the necessary indications, except that the number referred to in paragraph (a)(iii) shall not be indicated by the receiving Office.

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Part B—continued Rule 3—continued

3.4 Particulars Subject to Rule 3.3, particulars of the printed request form and of a request presented as a computer print-out shall be prescribed by the Administrative Instructions.

Rule 4—The Request (Contents) 4.1 Mandatory and Optional Contents; Signature (a) The request shall contain:

(i) a petition, (ii) the title of the invention, (iii) indications concerning the applicant and the agent, if

there is an agent, (iv) the designation of States, (v) indications concerning the inventor where the national

law of at least one of the designated States requires that the name of the inventor be furnished at the time of filing a national application.

(b) The request shall, where applicable, contain: (i) a priority claim, (ii) a reference to any earlier international, international-

type or other search, (iii) choices of certain kinds of protection, (iv) an indication that the applicant wishes to obtain a re-

gional patent, (v) a reference to a parent application or parent patent.

law of none of the designated States requires that the name of the inventor be furnished at the time of filing a national application,

(ii) a request to the receiving Office to transmit the prior- ity document to the International Bureau where the ap- plication whose priority is claimed was filed with the national Office or intergovernmental authority which is the receiving Office.

(d) The request shall be signed.

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Part B—continued Rule 4—continued

4.2 The Petition The petition shall be to the following effect and shall preferably be worded as follows: “The undersigned requests that the present inter- national application be processed according to the Patent Cooper- ation Treaty.”

4.3 Title of the Invention The title of the invention shall be short (preferably from two to seven words when in English or translated into English) and precise.

4.4 Names and Addresses (a) Names of natural persons shall be indicated by the person’s

family name and given name(s), the family name being indi- cated before the given name(s).

(b) Names of legal entities shall be indicated by their full, official designations.

(c) Addresses shall be indicated in such a way as to satisfy the customary requirements for prompt postal delivery at the indi- cated address and, in any case, shall consist of all the relevant administrative units up to, and including, the house number, if any. Where the national law of the designated State does not require the indication of the house number, failure to indi- cate such number shall have no effect in that State. In order to allow rapid communication with the applicant, it is recom- mended to indicate any teleprinter address, telephone and fac- simile machine numbers, or corresponding data for other like means of communication, of the applicant or, where applic- able, the agent or the common representative.

(d) For each applicant, inventor, or agent, only one address may be indicated, except that, if no agent has been appointed to represent the applicant, or all of them if more than one, the applicant or, if there is more than one applicant, the common representative, may indicate, in addition to any other address given in the request, an address to which notifications shall be sent.

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4.5 The Applicant (a) The request shall indicate the name, address, nationality and

residence of the applicant or, if there are several applicants, of each of them.

(b) The applicant’s nationality shall be indicated by the name of the State of which he is a national.

(d) The request may, for different designated States, indicate dif- ferent applicants. In such a case, the request shall indicate the applicant or applicants for each designated State or group of designated States.

4.6 The Inventor (a) Where Rule 4.1(a)(v) applies, the request shall indicate the

name and address of the inventor or, if there are several in- ventors, of each of them.

(b) If the applicant is the inventor, the request, in lieu of the in- dication under paragraph (a), shall contain a statement to that effect.

(c) The request may, for different designated States, indicate dif- ferent persons as inventors where, in this respect, the require- ments of the national laws of the designated States are not the same. In such a case, the request shall contain a separate state- ment for each designated State or group of States in which a particular person, or the same person, is to be considered the inventor, or in which particular persons, or the same persons, are to be considered the inventors.

4.7 The Agent If agents are designated, the request shall so indicate, and shall state their names and addresses.

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Part B—continued Rule 4—continued

4.8 Common Representative If a common representative is designated, the request shall so indi- cate.

4.9 Designation of States (a) Contracting States shall be designated in the request:

(i) in the case of designations for the purpose of obtain- ing national patents, by an indication of each State con- cerned;

(ii) in the case of designations for the purpose of obtaining a regional patent, by an indication that a regional patent is desired either for all Contracting States which are party to the regional patent treaty concerned or only for such Contracting States as are specified.

(b) The request may contain an indication that all designations which would be permitted under the Treaty, other than those made under paragraph (a), are also made, provided that: (i) at least one Contracting State is designated under para-

graph (a), and (ii) the request also contains a statement that any designa-

tion made under this paragraph is subject to confirm- ation as provided in paragraph (c) and that any desig- nation which is not so confirmed before the expiration of 15 months from the priority date is to be regarded as withdrawn by the applicant at the expiration of that time limit.

(c) The confirmation of any designationmade under paragraph (b) shall be effected by (i) filing with the receiving Office a written notice contain-

ing an indication as referred to in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii), and

(ii) paying to the receiving Office the designation fee and the confirmation fee referred to in Rule 15.5

within the time limit under paragraph (b)(ii).

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4.10 Priority Claim (a) The declaration referred to in Article 8(1) shall be made in

the request; it shall consist of a statement to the effect that the priority of an earlier application is claimed and shall indicate: (i) when the earlier application is not a regional or an inter-

national application, the country in which it was filed; when the earlier application is a regional or an inter- national application, the country or countries for which it was filed,

(ii) the date on which it was filed, (iii) the number under which it was filed, and (iv) when the earlier application is a regional or an inter-

national application, the national Office or intergovern- mental organization with which it was filed.

(b) If the request does not indicate both (i) when the earlier application is not a regional or an inter-

national application, the country in which such earlier application was filed; when the earlier application is a regional or an international application, at least one country for which such earlier application was filed, and

(ii) the date on which the earlier application was filed, the priority claim shall, for the purposes of the procedure under the Treaty, be considered not to have been made. However, where, resulting from an obvious error, the indication of the said country or the said date is missing or is erroneous, the re- ceiving Office may, at the request of the applicant, make the necessary correction. The error shall be considered as an obvi- ous error whenever the correction is obvious from a compari- son with the earlier application. Where the error consists of the omission of the indication of the said date, the correction can only be made before the transmittal of the record copy to the International Bureau. In the case of any other error relat- ing to the indication of the said date or in the case of any error relating to the indication of the said country, the correction can only bemade before the expiration of the time limit under Rule 17.1(a) computed on the basis of the correct priority date.

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Part B—continued Rule 4—continued

(c) If the application number of the earlier application is not in- dicated in the request but is furnished by the applicant to the International Bureau or to the receiving Office prior to the ex- piration of the 16th month from the priority date, it shall be considered by all designated States to have been furnished in time.

(d) If the filing date of the earlier application as indicated in the request does not fall within the period of one year preceding the international filing date, the receiving Office, or, if the re- ceiving Office has failed to do so, the International Bureau, shall invite the applicant to ask either for the cancellation of the declaration made under Article 8(1) or, if the date of the earlier application was indicated erroneously, for the correc- tion of the date so indicated. If the applicant fails to act ac- cordingly within one month from the date of the invitation, the declaration made under Article 8(1) shall be cancelled ex officio.

(e) Where the priorities of several earlier applications are claimed, the provisions of paragraphs (a) to (d) shall apply to each of them.

4.11 Reference to Earlier Search If an international or international-type search has been requested on an application under Article 15(5) or if the applicant wishes the Inter- national Searching Authority to base the international search report wholly or in part on the results of a search, other than an international or international-type search, made by the national Office or intergov- ernmental organization which is the International Searching Author- ity competent for the international application, the request shall con- tain a reference to that fact. Such reference shall either identify the application (or its translation, as the case may be) in respect of which the earlier search was made by indicating country, date and number, or the said search by indicating, where applicable, date and number of the request for such search.

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4.12 Choice of Certain Kinds of Protection (a) If the applicant wishes his international application to be

treated, in any designated State, as an application not for a patent but for the grant of any of the other kinds of protection specified in Article 43, he shall so indicate in the request. For the purposes of this paragraph, Article 2(ii) shall not apply.

(b) In the case provided for in Article 44, the applicant shall indi- cate the two kinds of protection sought, or, if one of two kinds of protection is primarily sought, he shall indicate which kind is sought primarily and which kind is sought subsidiarily.

4.13 Identification of Parent Application or Parent Grant If the applicant wishes his international application to be treated, in any designated State, as an application for a patent or certificate of addition, inventor’s certificate of addition, or utility certificate of add- ition, he shall identify the parent application or the parent patent, parent inventor’s certificate, or parent utility certificate to which the patent or certificate of addition, inventor’s certificate of addition, or utility certificate of addition, if granted, relates. For the purposes of this paragraph Article 2(ii) shall not apply.

4.14 Continuation or Continuation-in-Part If the applicant wishes his international application to be treated, in any designated State, as an application for a continuation or a con- tinuation-in-part of an earlier application, he shall so indicate in the request and shall identify the parent application involved.

4.15 Signature (a) Subject to paragraph (b), the request shall be signed by the

applicant or, if there is more than one applicant, by all of them. (b) Where two or more applicants file an international application

which designates a State whose national law requires that na- tional applications be filed by the inventor and where an ap- plicant for that designated State who is an inventor refused to sign the request or could not be found or reached after diligent

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effort, the request need not be signed by that applicant if it is signed by at least one applicant and a statement is furnished explaining, to the satisfaction of the receiving Office, the lack of the signature concerned.

4.16 Transliteration or Translation of Certain Words (a) Where any name or address is written in characters other than

those of the Latin alphabet, the same shall also be indicated in characters of the Latin alphabet either as a mere transliteration or through translation into English. The applicant shall decide which words will be merely transliterated and which words will be so translated.

(b) The name of any country written in characters other than those of the Latin alphabet shall also be indicated in English.

4.17 Additional Matter (a) The request shall contain no matter other than that specified

in Rules 4.1 to 4.16, provided that the Administrative Instruc- tions may permit, but cannot make mandatory, the inclusion in the request of any additional matter specified in the Adminis- trative Instructions.

(b) If the request contains matter other than that specified in Rules 4.1 to 4.16 or permitted under paragraph (a) by the Adminis- trative Instructions, the receiving Office shall ex officio delete the additional matter.

Rule 5—The Description 5.1 Manner of the Description (a) The description shall first state the title of the invention as

appearing in the request and shall: (i) specify the technical field to which the invention relates; (ii) indicate the background art which, as far as known to

the applicant, can be regarded as useful for the under- standing, searching and examination of the invention, and, preferably, cite the documents reflecting such art;

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(iii) disclose the invention, as claimed, in such terms that the technical problem (even if not expressly stated as such) and its solution can be understood, and state the advan- tageous effects, if any, of the invention with reference to the background art;

(iv) briefly describe the figures in the drawings, if any; (v) set forth at least the best mode contemplated by the ap-

plicant for carrying out the invention claimed; this shall be done in terms of examples, where appropriate, and with reference to the drawings, if any; where the na- tional law of the designated State does not require the description of the best mode but is satisfied with the de- scription of any mode (whether it is the best contem- plated or not), failure to describe the best mode con- templated shall have no effect in that State;

(vi) indicate explicitly, when it is not obvious from the de- scription or nature of the invention, the way in which the invention is capable of exploitation in industry and the way in which it can be made and used, or, if it can only be used, the way in which it can be used; the term “industry” is to be understood in its broadest sense as in the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

(b) The manner and order specified in paragraph (a) shall be fol- lowed except when, because of the nature of the invention, a different manner or a different order would result in a better understanding and a more economic presentation.

(c) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), each of the parts referred to in paragraph (a) shall preferably be preceded by an appropriate heading as suggested in the Administrative In- structions.

5.2 Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosure Where the international application contains disclosure of a nu- cleotide and/or amino acid sequence, the description shall contain a listing of the sequence complying with the standard prescribed by the Administrative Instructions.

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Rule 6—The Claims 6.1 Number and Numbering of Claims (a) The number of the claims shall be reasonable in consideration

of the nature of the invention claimed. (b) If there are several claims, they shall be numbered consecu-

tively in Arabic numerals. (c) The method of numbering in the case of the amendment of

claims shall be governed by the Administrative Instructions.

6.2 References to Other Parts of the International Application (a) Claims shall not, except where absolutely necessary, rely, in

respect of the technical features of the invention, on references to the description or drawings. In particular, they shall not rely on such references as: “as described in part … of the description,” or “as illustrated in figure … of the drawings.”

(b) Where the international application contains drawings, the technical features mentioned in the claims shall preferably be followed by the reference signs relating to such features. When used, the reference signs shall preferably be placed between parentheses. If inclusion of reference signs does not particularly facilitate quicker understanding of a claim, it should not be made. Reference signs may be removed by a designated Office for the purposes of publication by such Office.

6.3 Manner of Claiming (a) The definition of thematter for which protection is sought shall

be in terms of the technical features of the invention. (b) Whenever appropriate, claims shall contain:

(i) a statement indicating those technical features of the invention which are necessary for the definition of the claimed subject matter but which, in combination, are part of the prior art,

(ii) a characterizing portion—preceded by the words “char- acterized in that,” “characterized by,” “wherein the im- provement comprises,” or any other words to the same effect—stating concisely the technical features which,

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in combination with the features stated under (i), it is desired to protect.

(c) Where the national law of the designated State does not require the manner of claiming provided for in paragraph (b), failure to use that manner of claiming shall have no effect in that State provided the manner of claiming actually used satisfies the national law of that State.

6.4 Dependent Claims (a) Any claim which includes all the features of one or more other

claims (claim in dependent form, hereinafter referred to as “de- pendent claim”) shall do so by a reference, if possible at the be- ginning, to the other claim or claims and shall then state the ad- ditional features claimed. Any dependent claim which refers to more than one other claim (“multiple dependent claim”) shall refer to such claims in the alternative only. Multiple de- pendent claims shall not serve as a basis for any other multiple dependent claim. Where the national law of the national Of- fice acting as International Searching Authority does not allow multiple dependent claims to be drafted in a manner different from that provided for in the preceding two sentences, fail- ure to use that manner of claiming may result in an indication under Article 17(2)(b) in the international search report. Fail- ure to use the said manner of claiming shall have no effect in a designated State if the manner of claiming actually used sat- isfies the national law of that State.

(b) Any dependent claim shall be construed as including all the limitations contained in the claim to which it refers or, if the dependent claim is a multiple dependent claim, all the limita- tions contained in the particular claim in relation to which it is considered.

(c) All dependent claims referring back to a single previous claim, and all dependent claims referring back to several previous claims, shall be grouped together to the extent and in the most practical way possible.

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6.5 Utility Models Any designated State in which the grant of a utility model is sought on the basis of an international application may, instead of Rules 6.1 to 6.4, apply in respect of the matters regulated in those Rules the provisions of its national law concerning utility models once the pro- cessing of the international application has started in that State, pro- vided that the applicant shall be allowed at least two months from the expiration of the time limit applicable under Article 22 to adapt his application to the requirements of the said provisions of the national law.

Rule 7—The Drawings 7.1 Flow Sheets and Diagrams Flow sheets and diagrams are considered drawings.

7.2 Time Limit The time limit referred to in Article 7(2)(ii) shall be reasonable under the circumstances of the case and shall, in no case, be shorter than two months from the date of the written invitation requiring the filing of drawings or additional drawings under the said provision.

Rule 8—The Abstract 8.1 Contents and Form of the Abstract (a) The abstract shall consist of the following:

(i) a summary of the disclosure as contained in the descrip- tion, the claims, and any drawings; the summary shall indicate the technical field to which the invention per- tains and shall be drafted in awaywhich allows the clear understanding of the technical problem, the gist of the solution of that problem through the invention, and the principal use or uses of the invention;

(ii) where applicable, the chemical formula which, among all the formulae contained in the international applica- tion, best characterizes the invention.

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(b) The abstract shall be as concise as the disclosure permits (preferably 50 to 150 words if it is in English or when trans- lated into English).

(c) The abstract shall not contain statements on the alleged merits or value of the claimed invention or on its speculative appli- cation.

(d) Each main technical feature mentioned in the abstract and il- lustrated by a drawing in the international application shall be followed by a reference sign, placed between parentheses.

8.2 Figure (a) If the applicant fails to make the indication referred to in Rule

3.3(a)(iii), or if the International SearchingAuthority finds that a figure or figures other than that figure or those figures sug- gested by the applicant would, among all the figures of all the drawings, better characterize the invention, it shall, subject to paragraph (b), indicate the figure or figures which should ac- company the abstract when the latter is published by the Inter- national Bureau. In such case, the abstract shall be accompan- ied by the figure or figures so indicated by the International Searching Authority. Otherwise, the abstract shall, subject to paragraph (b), be accompanied by the figure or figures sug- gested by the applicant.

(b) If the International Searching Authority finds that none of the figures of the drawings is useful for the understanding of the abstract, it shall notify the International Bureau accordingly. In such case, the abstract, when published by the International Bureau, shall not be accompanied by any figure of the draw- ings even where the applicant has made a suggestion under Rule 3.3(a)(iii).

8.3 Guiding Principles in Drafting The abstract shall be so drafted that it can efficiently serve as a scan- ning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art, especially by assisting the scientist, engineer or researcher in formulating an

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opinion on whether there is a need for consulting the international application itself.

Rule 9—Expressions, Etc., Not to Be Used 9.1 Definition The international application shall not contain: (i) expressions or drawings contrary to morality; (ii) expressions or drawings contrary to public order; (iii) statements disparaging the products or processes of any par-

ticular person other than the applicant, or the merits or validity of applications or patents of any such person (mere compari- sons with the prior art shall not be considered disparaging per se);

(iv) any statement or other matter obviously irrelevant or unneces- sary under the circumstances.

9.2 Noting of Lack of Compliance The receiving Office and the International Searching Authority may note lack of compliance with the prescriptions of Rule 9.1 and may suggest to the applicant that he voluntarily correct his international application accordingly. If the lack of compliance was noted by the receiving Office, that Office shall inform the competent International Searching Authority and the International Bureau; if the lack of com- pliance was noted by the International Searching Authority, that Au- thority shall inform the receivingOffice and the International Bureau.

9.3 Reference to Article 21(6) “Disparaging statements,” referred to in Article 21(6), shall have the meaning as defined in Rule 9.1(iii).

Rule 10—Terminology and Signs 10.1 Terminology and Signs (a) Units of weights and measures shall be expressed in terms of

the metric system, or also expressed in such terms if first ex- pressed in terms of a different system.

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(b) Temperatures shall be expressed in degrees Celsius, or also expressed in degrees Celsius, if first expressed in a different manner.

as well as for mathematical formulae and electrical units, the rules of international practice shall be observed; for chemical formulae, the symbols, atomic weights, and molecular formu- lae, in general use, shall be employed.

(e) In general, only such technical terms, signs and symbols should be used as are generally accepted in the art.

(f) When the international application or its translation is in En- glish or Japanese, the beginning of any decimal fraction shall be marked by a period, whereas, when the international appli- cation or its translation is in a language other than English or Japanese, it shall be marked by a comma.

10.2 Consistency The terminology and the signs shall be consistent throughout the international application.

Rule 11—Physical Requirements of the International Application

11.1 Number of Copies (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), the international

application and each of the documents referred to in the check list (Rule 3.3(a)(ii)) shall be filed in one copy.

(b) Any receiving Office may require that the international appli- cation and any of the documents referred to in the check list (Rule 3.3(a)(ii)), except the receipt for the fees paid or the check for the payment of the fees, be filed in two or three copies. In that case, the receiving Office shall be responsible for verifying the identity of the second and the third copies with the record copy.

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11.2 Fitness for Reproduction (a) All elements of the international application (i.e., the request,

the description, the claims, the drawings, and the abstract) shall be so presented as to admit of direct reproduction by pho- tography, electrostatic processes, photo offset, and microfilm- ing, in any number of copies.

(b) All sheets shall be free from creases and cracks; they shall not be folded.

used in an upright position (i.e., the short sides at the top and bottom).

11.3 Material to Be Used All elements of the international applications shall be on paper which shall be flexible, strong, white, smooth, non-shiny, and durable.

11.4 Separate Sheets, Etc. (a) Each element (request, description, claims, drawings, ab-

stract) of the international application shall commence on a new sheet.

(b) All sheets of the international application shall be so connected that they can be easily turned when consulted, and easily sep- arated and joined again if they have been separated for repro- duction purposes.

11.5 Size of Sheets The size of the sheets shall be A4(29.7 cm × 21 cm). However, any receiving Office may accept international applications on sheets of other sizes provided that the record copy, as transmitted to the Inter- national Bureau, and, if the competent International Searching Au- thority so desires, the search copy, shall be of A4 size.

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11.6 Margins (a) The minimum margins of the sheets containing the descrip-

tion, the claims, and the abstract, shall be as follows: – top: 2 cm – left side: 2.5 cm – right side: 2 cm – bottom: 2 cm

(b) The recommended maximum, for the margins provided for in paragraph (a), is as follows: – top: 4 cm – left side: 4 cm – right side: 3 cm – bottom: 3 cm

(c) On sheets containing drawings, the surface usable shall not exceed 26.2 cm × 17.0 cm. The sheets shall not contain frames around the usable or used surface. Theminimummargins shall be as follows: – top: 2.5 cm – left side: 2.5 cm – right side: 1.5 cm – bottom: 1.0 cm

(d) The margins referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) apply to A4-size sheets, so that, even if the receiving Office accepts other sizes, the A4-size record copy and, when so required, the A4-size search copy shall leave the aforesaid margins.

(e) Subject to paragraph (f) and to Rule 11.8(b), the margins of the international application, when submitted, must be completely blank.

(f) The top margin may contain in the left-hand comer an indi- cation of the applicant’s file reference, provided that the ref- erence appears within 1.5 cm from the top of the sheet. The number of characters in the applicant’s file reference shall not exceed the maximum fixed by the Administrative Instructions.

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11.7 Numbering of Sheets (a) All the sheets contained in the international application shall

be numbered in consecutive Arabic numerals. (b) The numbers shall be centred at the top or bottom of the sheet,

but shall not be placed in the margin.

11.8 Numbering of Lines (a) It is strongly recommended to number every fifth line of each

sheet of the description, and of each sheet of claims. (b) The numbers should appear in the right half of the left margin.

11.9 Writing of Text Matter (a) The request, the description, the claims and the abstract shall

be typed or printed. (b) Only graphic symbols and characters, chemical or mathemat-

ical formulae, and certain characters in the Japanese language may, when necessary, be written by hand or drawn.

are not less than 0.21 cm high, and shall be in a dark, indelible color, satisfying the requirements specified in Rule 11.2.

(e) As far as the spacing of the typing and the size of the characters are concerned, paragraphs (c) and (d) shall not apply to texts in the Japanese language.

11.10 Drawings, Formulae, and Tables, in Text Matter (a) The request, the description, the claims and the abstract shall

not contain drawings. (b) The description, the claims and the abstract may contain chem-

ical or mathematical formulae. (c) The description and the abstract may contain tables; any claim

may contain tables only if the subject matter of the claim makes the use of tables desirable.

(d) Tables and chemical or mathematical formulae may be placed sideways on the sheet if they cannot be presented satisfactorily

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in an upright position thereon; sheets on which tables or chem- ical or mathematical formulae are presented sideways shall be so presented that the tops of the tables or formulae are at the left side of the sheet.

11.11 Words in Drawings (a) The drawings shall not contain text matter, except a sin-

gle word or words, when absolutely indispensable, such as “water,” “steam,” “open,” “closed,” “section on AB,” and, in the case of electric circuits and block schematic or flow sheet diagrams, a few short catchwords indispensable for understanding.

(b) Any words used shall be so placed that, if translated, they may be pasted over without interfering with any lines of the draw- ings.

11.12 Alterations, Etc. Each sheet shall be reasonably free from erasures and shall be free from alterations, overwritings, and interlineations. Non-compliance with this Rule may be authorised if the authenticity of the content is not in question and the requirements for good reproduction are not in jeopardy.

11.13 Special Requirements for Drawings (a) Drawings shall be executed in durable, black, sufficiently

dense and dark, uniformly thick and well-defined, lines and strokes without colorings.

(b) Cross-sections shall be indicated by oblique hatching which should not impede the clear reading of the reference signs and leading lines.

(c) The scale of the drawings and the distinctness of their graph- ical execution shall be such that a photographic reproduction with a linear reduction in size to two-thirds would enable all details to be distinguished without difficulty.

(d) When, in exceptional cases, the scale is given on a drawing, it shall be represented graphically.

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(e) All numbers, letters and reference lines, appearing on the drawings, shall be simple and clear. Brackets, circles or in- verted commas shall not be used in association with numbers and letters.

(f) All lines in the drawings shall, ordinarily, be drawn with the aid of drafting instruments.

(g) Each element of each figure shall be in proper proportion to each of the other elements in the figure, except where the use of a different proportion is indispensable for the clarity of the figure.

(h) The height of the numbers and letters shall not be less than 0.32 cm. For the lettering of drawings, the Latin and, where customary, the Greek alphabets shall be used.

(i) The same sheet of drawings may contain several figures. Where figures on two or more sheets form in effect a single complete figure, the figures on the several sheets shall be so arranged that the complete figure can be assembled without concealing any part of any of the figures appearing on the various sheets.

(j) The different figures shall be arranged on a sheet or sheets without wasting space, preferably in an upright position, clearly separated from one another. Where the figures are not arranged in an upright position, they shall be presented sideways with the top of the figures at the left side of the sheet.

(k) The different figures shall be numbered in arabic numerals consecutively and independently of the numbering of the sheets.

(l) Reference signs not mentioned in the description shall not ap- pear in the drawings, and vice versa.

(m) The same features, when denoted by reference signs, shall, throughout the international application, be denoted by the same signs.

(n) If the drawings contain a large number of reference signs, it is strongly recommended to attach a separate sheet listing all reference signs and the features denoted by them.

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11.14 Later Documents Rules 10, and 11.1 to 11.13, also apply to any document — for ex- ample, corrected pages, amended claims— submitted after the filing of the international application.

Rule 12—Language of the International Application

12.1 Admitted Languages (a) Any international application shall be filed in the language, or

one of the languages, specified in the agreement concluded be- tween the International Bureau and the International Search- ing Authority competent for the international searching of that application, provided that, if the agreement specifies several languages, the receiving Office may prescribe among the spe- cified languages that language in which or those languages in one of which the international application must be filed.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the request, any text matter of the drawings, and the abstract need not be in the same lan- guage as other elements of the international application, pro- vided that: (i) the request is in a language admitted under paragraph

(a) or in the language in which the international appli- cation is to be published;

(ii) the text matter of the drawings is in the language in which the international application is to be published;

(iii) the abstract is in the language in which the international application is to be published.

(c) Subject to paragraph (d), where the official language of the receiving Office is one of the languages referred to in Rule 48.3(a) but is a language not specified in the agreement re- ferred to in paragraph (a), the international application may be filed in the said official language. If the international applica- tion is filed in the said official language, the search copy trans- mitted to the International Searching Authority under Rule 23.1 shall be accompanied by a translation into the language, or one of the languages, specified in the agreement referred to

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in paragraph (a); such translation shall be prepared under the responsibility of the receiving Office.

(d) Paragraph (c) shall apply only where the International Search- ing Authority has declared, in a notification addressed to the International Bureau, that it accepts to search international ap- plications on the basis of the translation referred to in para- graph (c).

12.2 Language of Changes in the International Application Any changes in the international application, such as amendments and corrections, shall, subject to Rules 46.3 and 66.9, be in the same language as the said application.

Rule 13—Unity of Invention 13.1 Requirement The international application shall relate to one invention only or to a group of inventions so linked as to form a single general inventive concept (“requirement of unity of invention”).

13.2 Circumstances in Which the Requirement of Unity of Invention Is to Be Considered Fulfilled

Where a group of inventions is claimed in one and the same inter- national application, the requirement of unity of invention referred to in Rule 13.1 shall be fulfilled only when there is a technical rela- tionship among those inventions involving one or more of the same or corresponding special technical features. The expression “special technical features” shall mean those technical features that define a contribution which each of the claimed inventions, considered as a whole, makes over the prior art.

13.3 Determination of Unity of Invention Not Affected by Manner of Claiming

The determination whether a group of inventions is so linked as to form a single general inventive concept shall be made without regard

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to whether the inventions are claimed in separate claims or as alter- natives within a single claim.

13.4 Dependent Claims Subject to Rule 13.1, it shall be permitted to include in the same inter- national application a reasonable number of dependent claims, claim- ing specific forms of the invention claimed in an independent claim, even where the features of any dependent claim could be considered as constituting in themselves an invention.

13.5 Utility Models Any designated State in which the grant of a utility model is sought on the basis of an international application may, instead of Rules 13.1 to 13.4, apply in respect of the matters regulated in those Rules the provisions of its national law concerning utility models once the pro- cessing of the international application has started in that State, pro- vided that the applicant shall be allowed at least two months from the expiration of the time limit applicable under Article 22 to adapt his application to the requirements of the said provisions of the national law.

Rule 13bis—Microbiological Inventions 13bis.1 Definition For the purposes of this Rule, “reference to a deposited microorgan- ism” means particulars given in an international application with re- spect to the deposit of a microorganism with a depositary institution or to the microorganism so deposited.

13bis.2 References (General) Any reference to a deposited microorganism shall be made in accord- ance with this Rule and, if so made, shall be considered as satisfying the requirements of the national law of each designated State.

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13bis.3 References: Contents; Failure to Include Reference or Indication

(a) A reference to a deposited microorganism shall indicate, (i) the name and address of the depositary institution with

which the deposit was made; (ii) the date of deposit of the microorganism with that insti-

tution; (iii) the accession number given to the deposit by that insti-

tution; and (iv) any additional matter of which the International Bu-

reau has been notified pursuant to Rule 13bis.7(a)(i), provided that the requirement to indicate that matter was published in the Gazette in accordance with Rule 13bis.7(c) at least two months before the filing of the international application.

(b) Failure to include a reference to a deposited microorganism or failure to include, in a reference to a deposited microorganism, an indication in accordance with paragraph (a), shall have no consequence in any designated State whose national law does not require such reference or such indication in a national ap- plication.

13bis.4 References: Time of Furnishing Indications If any of the indications referred to in Rule 13bis.3(a) is not included in a reference to a deposited microorganism in the international ap- plication as filed but is furnished by the applicant to the International Bureau within 16 months after the priority date, the indication shall be considered by any designated Office to have been furnished in time unless its national law requires the indication to be furnished at an earlier time in the case of a national application and the International Bureau has been notified of such requirement pursuant to Rule 13bis.7(a)(ii), provided that the International Bureau has published such requirement in the Gazette in accordance with Rule 13bis.7(c) at least two months before the filing of the international application. In the event that the applicant makes a request for early publication under Article 21(2)(b), however, any designated

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Office may consider any indication not furnished by the time such request is made as not having been furnished in time. Irrespective of whether the applicable time limit under the preceding sentences has been observed, the International Bureau shall notify the applicant and the designated Offices of the date on which it has received any indication not included in the international application as filed. The International Bureau shall indicate that date in the international publication of the international application if the indication has been furnished to it before the completion of technical preparations for international publication.

13bis.5 References and Indications for the Purposes of One or More Designated States: Different Deposits for Different Designated States; Deposits with Depositary Institutions Other Than Those Notified

(a) A reference to a deposited microorganism shall be considered to be made for the purposes of all designated States, unless it is expressly made for the purposes of certain of the designated States only; the same applies to the indications included in the reference.

(b) References to different deposits of the microorganism may be made for different designated States.

(c) Any designated Office shall be entitled to disregard a deposit made with a depositary institution other than one notified by it under Rule 13bis.7(b).

13bis.6 Furnishing of Samples (a) Where the international application contains a reference to a

deposited microorganism, the applicant shall, upon the request of the International Searching Authority or the International Preliminary Examining Authority, authorize and assure the furnishing of a sample of that microorganism by the deposit- ary institution to the said Authority, provided that the said Au- thority has notified the International Bureau that it may require the furnishing of samples and that such samples will be used solely for the purposes of international search or international

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preliminary examination, as the case may be, and such notifi- cation has been published in the Gazette.

(b) Pursuant to Articles 23 and 40, no furnishing of samples of the deposited microorganism to which a reference is made in an international application shall, except with the authorization of the applicant, take place before the expiration of the applicable time limits after which national processing may start under the said Articles. However, where the applicant performs the acts referred to in Articles 22 or 39 after international publication but before the expiration of the said time limits, the furnishing of samples of the deposited microorganism may take place, once the said acts have been performed. Notwithstanding the previous provision, the furnishing of samples of the deposited microorganism may take place under the national law applic- able for any designated Office as soon as, under that law, the international publication has the effects of the compulsory na- tional publication of an unexamined national application.

13bis.7 National Requirements: Notification and Publication (a) Any national Officemay notify the International Bureau of any

requirement of the national law, (i) that any matter specified in the notification, in addition

to those referred to in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i), (ii) and (iii), is required to be included in a reference to a deposited microorganism in a national application;

(ii) that one or more of the indications referred to in Rule 13bis.3(a) are required to be included in a national ap- plication as filed or are required to be furnished at a time specified in the notification which is earlier than 16 months after the priority date.

(b) Each national Office shall notify the International Bureau of the depositary institutions with which the national law permits deposits of microorganisms to be made for the purposes of patent procedure before that Office or, if the national law does not provide for or permit such deposits, of that fact.

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(c) The International Bureau shall promptly publish in the Gazette requirements notified to it under paragraph (a) and information notified to it under paragraph (b).

Rule 13ter—Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listings

13ter.1 Sequence Listing for International Authorities (a) If the International Searching Authority finds that a nucleotide

and/or amino acid sequence listing does not comply with the standard prescribed in the Administrative Instructions under Rule 5.2, and/or is not in a machine readable form provided for in those Instructions, it may invite the applicant, within a time limit fixed in the invitation, as the case may be: (i) to furnish to it a listing of the sequence complying with

the prescribed standard, and/or (ii) to furnish to it a listing of the sequence in a machine

readable form provided for in the Administrative In- structions or, if that Authority is prepared to transcribe the sequence listing into such a form, to pay for the cost of such transcription.

(b) Any sequence listing furnished under paragraph (a) shall be accompanied by a statement to the effect that the listing does not include matter which goes beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed.

(c) If the applicant does not comply with the invitation within the time limit fixed in the invitation, the International Searching Authority shall not be required to search the international ap- plication to the extent that such non-compliance has the result that a meaningful search cannot be carried out.

(d) If the International Searching Authority chooses, under para- graph (a)(ii), to transcribe the sequence listing into a machine readable form, it shall send a copy of such transcription in ma- chine readable form to the applicant.

(e) The International Searching Authority shall, upon request, make available to the International Preliminary Examining

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Authority a copy of any sequence listing furnished to it, or as transcribed by it, under paragraph (a).

(f) A sequence listing furnished to the International Searching Authority, or as transcribed by it, under paragraph (a) shall not form part of the international application.

13ter.2 Sequence Listing for Designated Office (a) Once the processing of the international application has started

before a designated Office, that Office may require the appli- cant to furnish to it a copy of any sequence listing furnished to the International Searching Authority, or as transcribed by that Authority, under Rule 13ter.1(a).

(b) If a designated Office finds that a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing does not comply with the standard prescribed in the Administrative Instructions under Rule 5.2, and/or is not in a machine readable form provided for in those Instructions, and/or no listing of the sequence was furnished to the Inter- national Searching Authority, or transcribed by that Authority, under Rule 13ter.1(a), that Office may require the applicant; (i) to furnish to it a listing of the sequence complying with

the prescribed standard, and/or (ii) to furnish to it a listing of the sequence in a machine

readable form provided for in the Administrative In- structions or, if that Office is prepared to transcribe the sequence listing into such a form, to pay for the cost of such transcription.

Rule 14—The Transmittal Fee 14.1 The Transmittal Fee (a) Any receiving Office may require that the applicant pay a fee

to it, for its own benefit, for receiving the international appli- cation, transmitting copies to the International Bureau and the component International Searching Authority, and performing all the other tasks which it must perform in connection with the international application in its capacity of receiving Office (“transmittal fee”).

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(b) The amount and the due date of the transmittal fee, if any, shall be fixed by the receiving Office.

Rule 15—The International Fee 15.1 Basic Fee and Designation Fee Each international application shall be subject to the payment of a fee for the benefit of the International Bureau (“international fee”) to be collected by the receiving Office and consisting of, (i) a “basic fee,” and (ii) as many “designation fees” as there are national patents and

regional patents sought under Rule 4.9(a) by the applicant in the international application, except that, where Article 44 ap- plies in respect of a designation, only one designation fee shall be due for that designation.

15.2 Amounts (a) The amounts of the basic fee and of the designation fee are as

set out in the Schedule of Fees. (b) The amounts of the basic fee and of the designation fee shall

be established, for each receiving Office which, under Rule 15.3, prescribes the payment of those fees in a currency or currencies other than Swiss currency, by the Director General after consultation with that Office and in the currency or cur- rencies prescribed by that Office (“prescribed currency”). The amounts in each prescribed currency shall be the equivalent, in round figures, of the amounts in Swiss currency set out in the Schedule of Fees. They shall be published in the Gazette.

(c) Where the amounts of the fees set out in the Schedule of Fees are changed, the corresponding amounts in the prescribed cur- rencies shall be applied from the same date as the amounts set out in the amended Schedule of Fees.

(d) Where the exchange rate between Swiss currency and any pre- scribed currency becomes different from the exchange rate last applied, the Director General shall establish new amounts in the prescribed currency according to directives given by the

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Assembly. The newly established amounts shall become ap- plicable two months after the date of their publication in the Gazette, provided that the interested Office and the Director General may agree on a date falling during the said two-month period in which case the said amounts shall become applicable for that Office from that date.

15.3 Mode of Payment The international fee shall be payable in the currency or currencies prescribed by the receiving Office, it being understood that, when transferred by the receiving Office to the International Bureau, the amount transferred shall be freely convertible into Swiss currency.

15.4 Time of Payment (a) The basic fee shall be paid within one month from the date of

receipt of the international application. (b) The designation fee shall be paid:

(i) where the international application does not contain a priority claim under Article 8, within one year from the date of receipt of the international application,

(ii) where the international application contains a priority claim under Article 8, within one year from the priority date or within one month from the date of receipt of the international application if that month expires after the expiration of one year from the priority date.

(c) Where the basic fee or the designation fee is paid later than the date on which the international application was received and where the amount of that fee is, in the currency in which it is payable, higher on the date of payment (“the higher amount”) than it was on the date on which the international application was received (“the lower amount”), (i) the lower amount shall be due if the fee is paid within

one month from the date of receipt of the international application,

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(ii) the higher amount shall be due if the fee is paid later than one month from the date of receipt of the inter- national application.

15.5 Fees Under Rule 4.9(c) (a) Notwithstanding Rule 15.4(b), the confirmation under Rule

4.9(c) of any designations made under Rule 4.9(b) shall be subject to the payment to the receiving Office of as many des- ignation fees (for the benefit of the International Bureau) as there are national patents and regional patents sought by the applicant by virtue of the confirmation, together with a con- firmation fee (for the benefit of the receiving Office), as set out in the Schedule of Fees.

(b) Where moneys paid by the applicant within the time limit under Rule 4.9(b)(ii) are not sufficient to cover the fees due under paragraph (a), the receiving Office shall allocate any moneys paid as specified by the applicant or, in the absence of such specification, as prescribed by the Administrative In- structions.

15.6 Refund The receiving Office shall refund the international fee to the appli- cant: (i) if the determination under Article 11(1) is negative, or (ii) if, before the transmittal of the record copy to the International

Bureau, the international application is withdrawn or consid- ered withdrawn.

Rule 16—The Search Fee 16.1 Right to Ask for a Fee (a) Each International Searching Authority may require that the

applicant pay a fee (“search fee”) for its own benefit for carry- ing out the international search and for performing all other tasks entrusted to International Searching Authorities by the Treaty and these Regulations.

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(b) The search fee shall be collected by the receiving Office. The said fee shall be payable in the currency or currencies pre- scribed by that Office (“the receiving Office currency”), it be- ing understood that, if any receiving Office currency is not that, or one of those, in which the International Searching Au- thority has fixed the said fee (“the fixed currency or curren- cies”), it shall, when transferred by the receiving Office to the International Searching Authority, be freely convertible into the currency of the State in which the International Searching Authority has its headquarters (“the headquarters currency”). The amount of the search fee in any receiving Office currency, other than the fixed currency or currencies, shall be established by the Director General after consultation with that Office. The amounts so established shall be the equivalents, in round figures, of the amount established by the International Search- ing Authority in the headquarters currency. They shall be pub- lished in the Gazette.

(c) Where the amount of the search fee in the headquarters cur- rency is changed, the corresponding amounts in the receiving Office currencies, other than the fixed currency or currencies, shall be applied from the same date as the changed amount in the headquarters currency.

(d) Where the exchange rate between the headquarters currency and any receiving Office currency, other than the fixed cur- rency or currencies, becomes different from the exchange rate last applied, the Director General shall establish the new amount in the said receiving Office currency according to directives given by the Assembly. The newly established amount shall become applicable two months after its publi- cation in the Gazette, provided that any interested receiving Office and the Director General may agree on a date falling during the said two-month period in which case the said amount shall become applicable for that Office from that date.

(e) Where, in respect of the payment of the search fee in a receiv- ing Office currency, other than the fixed currency or curren- cies, the amount actually received by the International Search- ing Authority in the headquarters currency is less than that

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fixed by it, the difference will be paid to the International Searching Authority by the International Bureau, whereas, if the amount actually received is more, the difference will be- long to the International Bureau.

(f) As to the time of payment of the search fee, the provisions of Rule 15.4 relating to the basic fee shall apply.

16.2 Refund The receiving Office shall refund the search fee to the applicant: (i) if the determination under Article 11(1) is negative, or (ii) if, before the transmittal of the search copy to the Inter-

national Searching Authority, the international application is withdrawn or considered withdrawn.

16.3 Partial Refund Where the international application claims the priority of an ear- lier international application which has been the subject of an inter- national search by the same International Searching Authority, that Authority shall refund the search fee paid in connection with the later international application to the extent and under the conditions pro- vided for in the agreement under Article 16(3)(b), if the international search report on the later international application could wholly or partly be based on the results of the international search effected on the earlier international application.

Rule 16bis—Extension of Time Limits for Payment of Fees

16bis.1 Invitation by the Receiving Office (a) Where, by the time they are due under Rule 14.1(b), Rule

15.4(a) and Rule 16.1(f), the receiving Office finds that in re- spect of an international application no fees were paid to it by the applicant, or that the amount paid to it by the applicant is less than what is necessary to cover the transmittal fee, the basic fee and search fee, the receiving Office shall invite the applicant to pay to it the amount required to cover those fees,

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together with, where applicable, the late payment fee under Rule 16bis.2, within one month from the date of the invita- tion.

(b) Where, by the time they are due under Rule 15.4(b), the receiv- ing Office finds that in respect of an international application the payment made by the applicant is insufficient to cover the designation fees necessary to cover all the designations under Rule 4.9(a), the receiving Office shall invite the applicant to pay to it the amount required to cover those fees, together with, where applicable, the late payment fee under Rule 16bis.2, within one month from the date of the invitation.

(c) Where the receiving Office has sent to the applicant an invi- tation under paragraph (a) or (b) and the applicant has not, within one month from the date of the invitation, paid in full the amount due, including, where applicable, the late payment fee under Rule 16bis.2, the receiving Office shall: (i) allocate any moneys paid as specified by the applicant

or, in the absence of such specification, as prescribed by the Administrative Instructions.

(ii) make the applicable declaration under Article 14(3), and

(iii) proceed as provided in Rule 29.

16bis.2 Late Payment Fee (a) The payment of fees in response to an invitation under Rule

16bis.1(a) or (b) may be subjected by the receiving Office to the payment to it of a late payment fee. The amount of that fee shall be: (i) 50% of the amount of unpaid fees which is specified in

the invitation, or, (ii) if the amount calculated under item (i) is less than the

transmittal fee, an amount equal to the transmittal fee. (b) The amount of the late payment fee shall not, however, exceed

the amount of the basic fee.

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Rule 17—The Priority Document 17.1 Obligation to Submit Copy of Earlier National

Application (a) Where the priority of an earlier national application is claimed

under Article 8 in the international application, a copy of the said national application, certified by the authority with which it was filed (“the priority document”), shall, unless already filed with the receiving Office together with the international application, be submitted by the applicant to the International Bureau or to the receiving Office not later than 16 months after the priority date or, in the case referred to in Article 23(2), not later than at the time the processing or examination is re- quested.

(b) Where the priority document is issued by the receiving Office, the applicant may, instead of submitting the priority document, request the receiving Office to transmit the priority document to the International Bureau. Such request shall be made not later than the expiration of the applicable time limit referred to under paragraph (a) and may be subjected by the receiving Office to the payment of a fee.

(c) If the requirements of neither of the two preceding paragraphs are complied with, any designated State may disregard the pri- ority claim.

17.2 Availability of Copies (a) The International Bureau shall, at the specific request of the

designated Office, promptly but not before the expiration of the time limit fixed in Rule 17.1(a), furnish a copy of the pri- ority document to that Office. No such Office shall ask the applicant himself to furnish it with a copy, except where it re- quires the furnishing of a copy of the priority document to- gether with a certified translation thereof. The applicant shall not be required to furnish a certified translation to the desig- nated Office before the expiration of the applicable time limit under Article 22.

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(b) The International Bureau shall not make copies of the prior- ity document available to the public prior to the international publication of the international application.

(c) Where the international application has been published under Article 21, the International Bureau shall furnish a copy of the priority document to any person upon request and subject to reimbursement of the cost unless, prior to that publication: (i) the international application was withdrawn, (ii) the relevant priority claim was withdrawn or was con-

sidered, under Rule 4.10(b), not to have been made, or (iii) the relevant declaration under Article 8(1) was can-

celled under Rule 4.10(d). (d) Paragraphs (a) to (c) shall apply also to any earlier inter-

national application whose priority is claimed in the subse- quent international application.

Rule 18—The Applicant 18.1 Residence (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), the question

whether an applicant is a resident of the Contracting State of which he claims to be a resident shall depend on the national law of that State and shall be decided by the receiving Office.

(b) In any case, possession of a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in a Contracting State shall be con- sidered residence in that State.

18.2 Nationality (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), the question

whether an applicant is a national of the Contracting State of which he claims to be a national shall depend on the national law of that State and shall be decided by the receiving Office.

(b) In any case, a legal entity constituted according to the national law of a Contracting State shall be considered a national of that State.

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18.3 Two or More Applicants If there are two or more applicants, the right to file an international application shall exist if at least one of them is entitled to file an international application according to Article 9.

18.4 Information on Requirements Under National Law as to Applicants

(a) [Deleted] (b) [Deleted] (c) The International Bureau shall, from time to time, publish in-

formation on the various national laws in respect of the ques- tion who is qualified (inventor, successor in title of the inven- tor, owner of the invention, or other) to file a national appli- cation and shall accompany such information by a warning that the effect of the international application in any desig- nated State may depend on whether the person designated in the international application as applicant for the purposes of that State is a person who, under the national law of that State, is qualified to file a national application.

Rule 19—The Competent Receiving Office 19.1 Where to File (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), the international

application shall be filed, at the option of the applicant, with the national Office of or acting for the Contracting State of which the applicant is a resident or with the national Office of or acting for the Contracting State of which the applicant is a national.

(b) Any Contracting State may agree with another Contracting State or any intergovernmental organization that the national Office of the latter State or the intergovernmental organization shall, for all or some purposes, act instead of the national Of- fice of the former State as receiving Office for applicants who are residents or nationals of that former State. Notwithstand- ing such agreement, the national Office of the former State

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shall be considered the competent receiving Office for the pur- poses of Article 15(5).

(c) In connection with any decision made under Article 9(2), the Assembly shall appoint the national Office or the intergovern- mental organization which will act as receiving Office for ap- plications of residents or nationals of States specified by the Assembly. Such appointment shall require the previous con- sent of the said national Office or intergovernmental organiza- tion.

19.2 Two or More Applicants If there are two or more applicants, the requirements of Rule 19.1 shall be considered to be met if the national Office with which the international application is filed is the national Office of or acting for a Contracting State of which at least one of the applicants is a resident or national.

19.3 Publication of Fact of Delegation of Duties of Receiving Office

(a) Any agreement referred to in Rule 19.1(b) shall be promptly notified to the International Bureau by the Contracting State which delegates the duties of the receiving Office to the na- tional Office of or acting for another Contracting State or an intergovernmental organization.

(b) The International Bureau shall, promptly upon receipt, publish the notification in the Gazette.

Rule 20—Receipt of the International Application

20.1 Date and Number (a) Upon receipt of papers purporting to be an international ap-

plication, the receiving Office shall indelibly mark the date of actual receipt on the request of each copy received and the international application number on each sheet of each copy received.

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(b) The place on each sheet where the date or number shall be marked, and other details, shall be specified in the Adminis- trative Instructions.

20.2 Receipt on Different Days (a) In cases where all the sheets pertaining to the same purported

international application are not received on the same day by the receiving Office, that Office shall correct the date marked on the request (still leaving legible, however, the earlier date or dates already marked) so that it indicates the day on which the papers completing the international application were received, provided that (i) where no invitation under Article 11(2)(a) to correct

was sent to the applicant, the said papers are received within 30 days from the date on which sheets were first received;

(ii) where an invitation under Article 11(2)(a) to correct was sent to the applicant, the said papers are received within the applicable time limit under Rule 20.6;

(iii) in the case of Article 14(2), the missing drawings are received within 30 days from the date on which the in- complete papers were filed;

(iv) the absence or later receipt of any sheet containing the abstract or part thereof shall not, in itself, require any correction of the date marked on the request.

(b) Any sheet received on a date later than the date onwhich sheets were first received shall bemarked by the receivingOfficewith the date on which it was received.

20.3 Corrected International Application In the case referred to in Article 11(2)(b), the receiving Office shall correct the date marked on the request (still leaving legible, however, the earlier date or dates already marked) so that it indicates the day on which the last required correction was received.

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20.4 Determination under Article 11(1) (a) Promptly after receipt of the papers purporting to be an

international application, the receiving Office shall determine whether the papers comply with the requirements of Article 11(1).

(b) For the purposes of Article 11(1)(iii)(c), it shall be sufficient to indicate the name of the applicant in a way which allows his identity to be established even if the name is misspelled, the given names are not fully indicated, or, in the case of legal en- tities, the indication of the name is abbreviated or incomplete.

(c) For the purposes of Article 11(1)(ii), it shall be sufficient that the elements referred to in Article 11(1)(iii)(d) and (e) be in a language admitted under Rule 12.1(a) or (c).

(d) If, on July 12, 1991, paragraph (c) is not compatible with the national law applied by the receiving Office, paragraph (c) shall not apply to that receiving Office for as long as it con- tinues not to be compatible with that law, provided that the said Office informs the International Bureau accordingly by De- cember 31, 1991. The information received shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette.

20.5 Positive Determination (a) If the determination under Article 11(1) is positive, the receiv-

ing Office shall stamp on the request the name of the receiving Office and the words “PCT International Application,” or “De- mande internationale PCT.” If the official language of the re- ceiving Office is neither English nor French, the words “Inter- national Application” or “Demande internationale” may be ac- companied by a translation of these words in the official lan- guage of the receiving Office.

(b) The copy whose request has been so stamped shall be the record copy of the international application.

(c) The receiving Office shall promptly notify the applicant of the international application number and the international filing date. At the same time, it shall send to the International Bureau a copy of the notification sent to the applicant, except where

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it has already sent, or is sending at the same time, the record copy to the International Bureau under Rule 22.1(a).

20.6 Invitation to Correct (a) The invitation to correct under Article 11(2) shall specify the

requirement provided for under Article 11(1) which, in the opinion of the receiving Office, has not been fulfilled.

(b) The receiving Office shall promptly mail the invitation to the applicant and shall fix a time limit, reasonable under the cir- cumstances of the case, for filing the correction. The time limit shall not be less than 10 days, and shall not exceed one month, from the date of the invitation. If such time limit expires after the expiration of one year from the filing date of any applica- tion whose priority is claimed, the receiving Office may call this circumstance to the attention of the applicant.

20.7 Negative Determination If the receiving Office does not, within the prescribed time limit, re- ceive a reply to its invitation to correct, or if the correction offered by the applicant still does not fulfill the requirements provided for under Article 11(1), it shall: (i) promptly notify the applicant that his application is not and

will not be treated as an international application and shall indicate the reasons therefor,

(ii) notify the International Bureau that the number it has marked on the papers will not be used as an international application number,

(iii) keep the papers constituting the purported international appli- cation and any correspondence relating thereto as provided in Rule 93.1, and

(iv) send a copy of the said papers to the International Bureau where, pursuant to a request by the applicant under Article 25(1), the International Bureau needs such a copy and spe- cially asks for it.

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20.8 Error by the Receiving Office If the receiving Office later discovers, or on the basis of the appli- cant’s reply realizes, that it has erred in issuing an invitation to correct since the requirements provided for under Article 11(1) were fulfilled when the papers were received, it shall proceed as provided in Rule 20.5.

20.9 Certified Copy for the Applicant Against payment of a fee, the receiving Office shall furnish to the applicant, on request, certified copies of the international application as filed and of any corrections thereto.

Rule 21—Preparation of Copies 21.1 Responsibility of the Receiving Office (a) Where the international application is required to be filed in

one copy, the receiving Office shall be responsible for prepar- ing the home copy and the search copy required under Article 12(1).

(b) Where the international application is required to be filed in two copies, the receiving Office shall be responsible for preparing the home copy.

(c) If the international application is filed in less than the number of copies required under Rule 11.1(b), the receiving Office shall be responsible for the prompt preparation of the number of copies required, and shall have the right to fix a fee for performing that task and to collect such fee from the applicant.

Rule 22—Transmittal of the Record Copy 22.1 Procedure (a) If the determination under Article 11(1) is positive, and unless

prescriptions concerning national security prevent the inter- national application from being treated as such, the receiving Office shall transmit the record copy to the International Bu- reau. Such transmittal shall be effected promptly after receipt

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of the international application or, if a check to preserve na- tional security must be performed, as soon as the necessary clearance has been obtained. In any case, the receiving Office shall transmit the record copy in time for it to reach the Inter- national Bureau by the expiration of the 13th month from the priority date. If the transmittal is effected by mail, the receiv- ing Office shall mail the record copy not later than five days prior to the expiration of the 13th month from the priority date.

(b) If the International Bureau has received a copy of the noti- fication under Rule 20.5(c) but is not, by the expiration of 13 months from the priority date, in possession of the record copy, it shall remind the receiving Office that it should transmit the record copy to the International Bureau promptly.

(c) If the International Bureau has received a copy of the noti- fication under Rule 20.5(c) but is not, by the expiration of 14 months from the priority date, in possession of the record copy, it shall notify the applicant and the receiving Office accord- ingly.

(d) After the expiration of 14 months from the priority date, the applicant may request the receiving Office to certify a copy of his international application as being identical with the inter- national application as filed and may transmit such certified copy to the International Bureau.

(e) Any certification under paragraph (d) shall be free of charge and may be refused only on any of the following grounds: (i) the copy which the receiving Office has been requested

to certify is not identical with the international applica- tion as filed;

(ii) prescriptions concerning national security prevent the international application from being treated as such;

(iii) the receiving Office has already transmitted the record copy to the International Bureau and that Bureau has informed the receiving Office that it has received the record copy.

(f) Unless the International Bureau has received the record copy, or until it receives the record copy, the copy certified under

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paragraph (e) and received by the International Bureau shall be considered to be the record copy.

(g) If, by the expiration of the time limit applicable under Article 22, the applicant has performed the acts referred to in that Art- icle but the designated Office has not been informed by the International Bureau of the receipt of the record copy, the des- ignated Office shall inform the International Bureau. If the International Bureau is not in possession of the record copy, it shall promptly notify the applicant and the receiving Office unless it has already notified them under paragraph (c).

22.2 [Deleted]

22.3 Time Limit under Article 12(3) The time limit referred to in Article 12(3) shall be three months from the date of the notification sent by the International Bureau to the applicant under Rule 22.1(c) or (g).

Rule 23—Transmittal of the Search Copy 23.1 Procedure (a) The search copy shall be transmitted by the receiving Office

to the International Searching Authority at the latest on the same day as the record copy is transmitted to the International Bureau unless no search fee has been paid. In the latter case, it shall be transmitted promptly after payment of the search fee.

(b) [Deleted]

Rule 24—Receipt of the Record Copy by the International Bureau

24.1 [Deleted]

24.2 Notification of Receipt of the Record Copy (a) The International Bureau shall promptly notify:

(i) the applicant,

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(ii) the receiving Office, and (iii) the International Searching Authority (unless it has in-

formed the International Bureau that it wishes not to be so notified),

of the fact and the date of receipt of the record copy. The notification shall identify the international application by its number, the international filing date and the name of the ap- plicant, and shall indicate the filing date of any earlier appli- cation whose priority is claimed. The notification sent to the applicant shall also contain a list of the States designated under Rule 4.9(a) and, where applicable, of those States whose des- ignations have been confirmed under Rule 4.9(c).

(b) Each designated Office which has informed the International Bureau that it wishes to receive the notification under para- graph (a) prior to the communication under Rule 47.1 shall be so notified by the International Bureau: (i) if the designation concerned was made under Rule

4.9(a), promptly after the receipt of the record copy; (ii) if the designation concerned was made under Rule

4.9(b), promptly after the International Bureau has been informed by the receiving Office of the confirmation of that designation.

(c) If the record copy is received after the expiration of the time limit fixed in Rule 22.3, the International Bureau shall promptly notify the applicant, the receiving Office, and the International Searching Authority, accordingly.

Rule 25—Receipt of the Search Copy by the International Searching Authority

25.1 Notification of Receipt of the Search Copy The International Searching Authority shall promptly notify the International Bureau, the applicant, and — unless the International Searching Authority is the same as the receiving Office — the receiving Office, of the fact and the date of receipt of the search copy.

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Rule 26—Checking by, and Correcting before, the Receiving Office of Certain Elements of the International Application

26.1 Time Limit for Check (a) The receiving Office shall issue the invitation to correct pro-

vided for in Article 14(1)(b) as soon as possible, preferably within one month from the receipt of the international appli- cation.

(b) If the receiving Office issues an invitation to correct the de- fect referred to in Article 14(1)(a)(iii) or (iv) (missing title or missing abstract), it shall notify the International Searching Authority accordingly.

26.2 Time Limit for Correction The time limit referred to in Article 14(1)(b) shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be fixed in each case by the re- ceiving Office. It shall not be less than one month from the date of the invitation to correct. It may be extended by the receiving Office at any time before a decision is taken.

26.3 Checking of Physical Requirements under Article 14(1)(a)(v)

The physical requirements referred to in Rule 11 shall be checked only to the extent that compliance therewith is necessary for the pur- pose of reasonably uniform international publication.

26.3bis Invitation to Correct Defects under Article 14(1)(b) The receiving Office shall not be required to issue the invitation to correct a defect under Article 14(1)(a)(v) where the physical require- ments referred to in Rule 11 are complied with to the extent necessary for the purpose of reasonably uniform international publication.

26.3ter Invitation to Correct Defects under Article 3(4)(i) (a) Where any element of the international application, other than

those referred to in Article 11(1)(iii)(d) and (e), does not com- ply with Rule 12.1, the receiving Office shall invite the appli-

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cant to file the required correction. Rules 26.1(a), 26.2, 26.5 and 29.1 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(b) If, on July 12, 1991, paragraph (a) is not compatible with the national law applied by the receiving Office, paragraph (a) shall not apply to that receiving Office for as long as it con- tinues not to be compatible with that law, provided that the said Office informs the International Bureau accordingly by De- cember 31, 1991. The information received shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette.

26.4 Procedure (a) Any correction offered to the receiving Office may be stated

in a letter addressed to that Office if the correction is of such a nature that it can be transferred from the letter to the record copy without adversely affecting the clarity and the direct re- producibility of the sheet on to which the correction is to be transferred; otherwise, the applicant shall be required to sub- mit a replacement sheet embodying the correction and the let- ter accompanying the replacement sheet shall draw attention to the differences between the replaced sheet and the replace- ment sheet.

(b) to (d) [Deleted]

26.5 Decision of the Receiving Office (a) The receiving Office shall decide whether the applicant has

submitted the correction within the time limit under Rule 26.2 and, if the correction has been submitted within that time limit, whether the international application so corrected is or is not to be considered withdrawn, provided that no international appli- cation shall be considered withdrawn for lack of compliance with the physical requirements referred to in Rule 11 if it com- plies with those requirements to the extent necessary for the purpose of reasonably uniform international publication.

(b) [Deleted]

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26.6 Missing Drawings (a) If, as provided in Article 14(2), the international application

refers to drawings which in fact are not included in that appli- cation, the receiving Office shall so indicate in the said appli- cation.

(b) The date on which the applicant receives the notification pro- vided for in Article 14(2) shall have no effect on the time limit fixed under Rule 20.2(a)(iii).

Rule 27—Lack of Payment of Fees 27.1 Fees (a) For the purposes of Article 14(3)(a), “fees prescribed under

Article 3(4)(iv)” means: the transmittal fee (Rule 14), the basic fee part of the international fee (Rule 15.1(i)), the search fee (Rule 16), and, where required, the late payment fee (Rule 16bis.2).

(b) For the purposes of Article 14(3)(a) and (b), “the fee pre- scribed under Article 4(2)” means the designation fee part of the international fee (Rule 15.1(ii)) and, where required, the late payment fee (Rule 16bis.2).

Rule 28—Defects Noted by the International Bureau

28.1 Note on Certain Defects (a) If, in the opinion of the International Bureau, the international

application contains any of the defects referred to in Article 14(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (v), the International Bureau shall bring such defects to the attention of the receiving Office.

(b) The receiving Office shall, unless it disagrees with the said opinion, proceed as provided in Article 14(1)(b) and Rule 26.

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Rule 29—International Applications or Designations Considered Withdrawn under

Article 14(1), (3) or (4) 29.1 Finding by Receiving Office (a) If the receiving Office declares, under Article 14(1)(b) and

Rule 26.5 (failure to correct certain defects), or under Article 14(3)(a) (failure to pay the prescribed fees under Rule 27.1(a)), or under Article 14(4) (later finding of non-compliance with the requirements listed in items (i) to (iii) of Article 11(1)), that the international application is considered withdrawn: (i) the receiving Office shall transmit the record copy (un-

less already transmitted), and any correction offered by the applicant, to the International Bureau;

(ii) the receiving Office shall promptly notify both the ap- plicant and the International Bureau of the said declar- ation, and the International Bureau shall in turn notify each designated Office which has already been notified of its designation;

(iii) the receiving Office shall not transmit the search copy as provided in Rule 23, or, if such copy has already been transmitted, it shall notify the International Search Authority of the said declaration;

(iv) the International Bureau shall not be required to notify the applicant of the receipt of the record copy.

(b) If the receiving Office declares under Article 14(3)(b) (failure to pay the prescribed designation fee under Rule 27.1(b)) that the designation of any given State is consideredwithdrawn, the receiving Office shall promptly notify both the applicant and the International Bureau of the said declaration. The Inter- national Bureau shall in turn notify each designated Office which has already been notified of its designation.

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29.2 [Deleted]

29.3 Calling Certain Facts to the Attention of the Receiving Office

If the International Bureau or the International Searching Authority considers that the receiving Office should make a finding under Art- icle 14(4), it shall call the relevant facts to the attention of the receiv- ing Office.

29.4 Notification of Intent to Make Declaration under Article 14(4)

Before the receiving Office issues any declaration under Article 14(4), it shall notify the applicant of its intent to issue such declar- ation and the reasons therefor. The applicant may, if he disagrees with the tentative finding of the receiving Office, submit arguments to that effect within one month from the notification.

Rule 30—Time Limit under Article 14(4) 30.1 Time Limit The time limit referred to in Article 14(4) shall be four months from the international filing date.

Rule 31—Copies Required under Article 13 31.1 Request for Copies (a) Requests under Article 13(1) may relate to all, some kinds of,

or individual international applications in which the national Office making the request is designated. Requests for all or some kinds of such international applications must be renewed for each year by means of a notification addressed by that Of- fice before November 30 of the preceding year to the Inter- national Bureau.

(b) Requests under Article 13(2)(b) shall be subject to the pay- ment of a fee covering the cost of preparing and mailing the copy.

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31.2 Preparation of Copies The preparation of copies required under Article 13 shall be the re- sponsibility of the International Bureau.

Rule 32 [Deleted]

Rule 32bis [Deleted]

Rule 33—Relevant Prior Art for the International Search

33.1 Relevant Prior Art for the International Search (a) For the purposes of Article 15(2), relevant prior art shall con-

sist of everything which has been made available to the public anywhere in the world by means of written disclosure (includ- ing drawings and other illustrations) and which is capable of being of assistance in determining that the claimed invention is or is not new and that it does or does not involve an inventive step (i.e., that it is or is not obvious), provided that the making available to the public occurred prior to the international filing date.

(b) When any written disclosure refers to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition, or other means whereby the contents of the written disclosure were made available to the public, and such mak- ing available to the public occurred on a date prior to the inter- national filing date, the international search report shall sep- arately mention that fact and the date on which it occurred if the making available to the public of the written disclosure oc- curred on a date which is the same as, or later than, the inter- national filing date.

(c) Any published application or any patent whose publication date is the same as, or later than, but whose filing date, or, where applicable, claimed priority date, is earlier than the international filing date of the international application

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searched, and which would constitute relevant prior art for the purposes of Article 15(2) had it been published prior to the international filing date, shall be specially mentioned in the international search report.

33.2 Fields to Be Covered by the International Search (a) The international search shall cover all those technical fields,

and shall be carried out on the basis of all those search files, which may contain material pertinent to the invention.

(b) Consequently, not only shall the art in which the invention is classifiable be searched but also analogous arts regardless of where classified.

(c) The question what arts are, in any given case, to be regarded as analogous shall be considered in the light of what appears to be the necessary essential function or use of the invention and not only the specific functions expressly indicated in the international application.

(d) The international search shall embrace all subject matter that is generally recognized as equivalent to the subject matter of the claimed invention for all or certain of its features, even though, in its specifics, the invention as described in the international application is different.

33.3 Orientation of the International Search (a) International search shall be made on the basis of the claims,

with due regard to the description and the drawings (if any) and with particular emphasis on the inventive concept towards which the claims are directed.

(b) In so far as possible and reasonable, the international search shall cover the entire subject matter to which the claims are directed or to which they might reasonably be expected to be directed after they have been amended.

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Rule 34—Minimum Documentation 34.1 Definition (a) The definitions contained in Article 2(i) and (ii) shall not apply

for the purposes of this Rule. (b) The documentation referred to in Article 15(4) (“minimum

documentation”) shall consist of: (i) the “national patent documents” as specified in para-

graph (c), (ii) the published international (PCT) applications, the pub-

lished regional applications for patents and inventors’ certificates, and the published regional patents and in- ventors’ certificates,

(iii) such other published items of non-patent literature as the International Searching Authorities shall agree upon and which shall be published in a list by the International Bureau when agreed upon for the first time and whenever changed.

(c) Subject to paragraphs (d) and (e), the “national patent docu- ments” shall be the following: (i) the patents issued in and after 1920 by France, the for-

mer Reichspatentamt of Germany, Japan, the Soviet Union, Switzerland (in French and German languages only), the United Kingdom, and the United States of America,

(ii) the patents issued by the Federal Republic of Germany, (iii) the patent applications, if any, published in and after

1920 in the countries referred to in items (i) and (ii), (iv) the inventors’ certificates issued by the Soviet Union, (v) the utility certificates issued by, and the published ap-

plications for utility certificates of, France, (vi) such patents issued by, and such patent applications

published in, any other country after 1920 as are in the English, French, German or Spanish language and in which no priority is claimed, provided that the national Office of the interested country sorts out these docu- ments and places them at the disposal of each Inter- national Searching Authority.

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(d) Where an application is republished once (for example, anOf- fenlegungsschrift as an Auslegeschrift) or more than once, no International Searching Authority shall be obliged to keep all versions in its documentation; consequently, each such Au- thority shall be entitled not to keep more than one version. Furthermore, where an application is granted and is issued in the form of a patent or a utility certificate (France), no Inter- national Searching Authority shall be obliged to keep both the application and the patent or utility certificate (France) in its documentation; consequently, each suchAuthority shall be en- titled to keep either the application only or the patent or utility certificate (France) only.

(e) Any International Searching Authority whose official lan- guage, or one of whose official languages, is not Japanese, Russian or Spanish is entitled not to include in its documen- tation those patent documents of Japan and the Soviet Union as well as those patent documents in the Spanish language, respectively, for which no abstracts in the English language are generally available. English abstracts becoming generally available after the date of entry into force of these Regulations shall require the inclusion of the patent documents to which the abstracts refer no later than six months after such abstracts become generally available. In case of the interruption of abstracting services in English in technical fields in which English abstracts were formerly generally available, the Assembly shall take appropriate measures to provide for the prompt restoration of such services in the said fields.

(f) For the purposes of this Rule, applications which have only been laid open for public inspection are not considered pub- lished applications.

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Rule 35—The Competent International Searching Authority

35.1 When Only One International Searching Authority is Competent

Each receiving Office shall, in accordance with the terms of the ap- plicable agreement referred to in Article 16(3)(b), inform the Inter- national Bureau which International Searching Authority is compe- tent for the searching of the international applications filed with it, and the International Bureau shall promptly publish such informa- tion.

35.2 When Several International Searching Authorities Are Competent

(a) Any receiving Office may, in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement referred to in Article 16(3)(b), specify several International Searching Authorities: (i) by declaring all of them competent for any international

application filed with it, and leaving the choice to the applicant, or

(ii) by declaring one or more competent for certain kinds of international applications filed with it, and declar- ing one or more others competent for other kinds of international applications filed with it, provided that, for those kinds of international applications for which sev- eral International Searching Authorities are declared to be competent, the choice shall be left to the applicant.

(b) Any receiving Office availing itself of the faculty provided in paragraph (a) shall promptly inform the International Bureau, and the International Bureau shall promptly publish such in- formation.

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Rule 36—Minimum Requirements for International Searching Authorities

36.1 Definition of Minimum Requirements The minimum requirements referred to in Article 16(3)(c) shall be the following: (i) the national Office or intergovernmental organization must

have at least 100 full-time employees with sufficient technical qualifications to carry out searches;

(ii) that Office or organisation must have in its possession, or have access to, at least the minimum documentation referred to in Rule 34, properly arranged for search purposes, on paper, in microform or stored on electronic media;

(iii) that Office or organization must have a staff which is capable of searching the required technical fields and which has the language facilities to understand at least those languages in which the minimum documentation referred to in Rule 34 is written or is translated.

Rule 37—Missing or Defective Title 37.1 Lack of Title If the international application does not contain a title and the re- ceiving Office has notified the International Searching Authority that it has invited the applicant to correct such defect, the International Searching Authority shall proceed with the international search un- less and until it receives notification that the said application is con- sidered withdrawn.

37.2 Establishment of Title If the international application does not contain a title and the Inter- national Searching Authority has not received a notification from the receiving Office to the effect that the applicant has been invited to furnish a title, or if the said Authority finds that the title does not comply with Rule 4.3, it shall itself establish a title.

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Rule 38—Missing or Defective Abstract 38.1 Lack of Abstract If the international application does not contain an abstract and the re- ceiving Office has notified the International Searching Authority that it has invited the applicant to correct such defect, the International Searching Authority shall proceed with the international search un- less and until it receives notification that the said application is con- sidered withdrawn.

38.2 Establishment of Abstract (a) If the international application does not contain an abstract and

the International Searching Authority has not received a notifi- cation from the receiving Office to the effect that the applicant has been invited to furnish an abstract, or if the said Author- ity finds that the abstract does not comply with Rule 8, it shall itself establish an abstract (in the language in which the inter- national application is published).

(b) The applicant may, within one month from the date of mail- ing of the international search report, submit comments on the abstract established by the International Searching Authority. Where that Authority amends the abstract established by it, it shall notify the amendment to the International Bureau.

Rule 39—Subject Matter under Article 17(2)(a)(i)

39.1 Definition No International Searching Authority shall be required to search an international application if, and to the extent to which, its subject matter is any of the following: (i) scientific and mathematical theories, (ii) plant or animal varieties or essentially biological processes

for the production of plants and animals, other than microbio- logical processes and the products of such processes,

(iii) schemes, rules or methods of doing business, performing purely mental acts or playing games,

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(iv) methods of treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods,

(v) mere presentations of information, (vi) computer programs to the extent that the International Search-

ing Authority is not equipped to search prior art concerning such programs.

Rule 40—Lack of Unity of Invention (International Search)

40.1 Invitation to Pay The invitation to pay additional fees provided for in Article 17(3)(a) shall specify the reasons for which the international application is not considered as complying with the requirement of unity of invention and shall indicate the amount to be paid.

40.2 Additional Fees (a) The amount of the additional fee due for searching under

Article 17(3)(a) shall be determined by the competent Inter- national Searching Authority.

(b) The additional fee due for searching under Article 17(3)(a) shall be payable direct to the International Searching Author- ity.

(c) Any applicant may pay the additional fee under protest, that is, accompanied by a reasoned statement to the effect that the international application complies with the requirement of unity of invention or that the amount of the required ad- ditional fee is excessive. Such protest shall be examined by a three-member board or other special instance of the Inter- national Searching Authority or any competent higher author- ity, which, to the extent that it finds the protest justified, shall order the total or partial reimbursement to the applicant of the additional fee. On the request of the applicant, the text of both the protest and the decision thereon shall be notified to the designated Offices together with the international search re- port. The applicant shall submit any translation thereof with

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the furnishing of the translation of the international applica- tion required under Article 22.

(d) The three-member board, special instance or competent higher authority, referred to in paragraph (c), shall not comprise any person who made the decision which is the subject of the protest.

(e) Where the applicant has, under paragraph (c), paid an addi- tional fee under protest, the International Searching Authority may, after a prior review of the justification for the invitation to pay an additional fee, require that the applicant pay a fee for the examination of the protest (“protest fee”). The protest fee shall be paid within one month from the date of the notifica- tion to the applicant of the result of the review. If the protest fee is not so paid, the protest shall be considered withdrawn. The protest fee shall be refunded to the applicant where the three-member board, special instance or higher authority re- ferred to in paragraph (c) finds that the protest was entirely justified.

40.3 Time Limit The time limit provided for in Article 17(3)(a) shall be fixed, in each case, according to the circumstances of the case, by the International Searching Authority; it shall not be shorter than 15 or 30 days, re- spectively, depending on whether the applicant’s address is in the same country as or in a different country from that in which the Inter- national SearchingAuthority is located, and it shall not be longer than 45 days, from the date of the invitation.

Rule 41—Earlier Search Other Than International Search

41.1 Obligation to Use Results; Refund of Fee If reference has been made in the request, in the form provided for in Rule 4.11, to an international-type search carried out under the condi- tions set out in Article 15(5) or to a search other than an international or international-type search, the International Searching Authority

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shall, to the extent possible, use the results of the said search in es- tablishing the international search report on the international appli- cation. The International Searching Authority shall refund the search fee, to the extent and under the conditions provided for in the agree- ment under Article 16(3)(b) or in a communication addressed to and published in the Gazette by the International Bureau, if the inter- national search report could wholly or partly be based on the results of the said search.

Rule 42—Time Limit for International Search

42.1 Time Limit for International Search The time limit for establishing the international search report or the declaration referred to in Article 17(2)(a) shall be three months from the receipt of the search copy by the International Searching Author- ity, or nine months from the priority date, whichever time limit ex- pires later.

Rule 43—The International Search Report 43.1 Identifications The international search report shall identify the International Searching Authority which established it by indicating the name of such Authority, and the international application by indicating the international application number, the name of the applicant, and the international filing date.

43.2 Dates The international search report shall be dated and shall indicate the date on which the international search was actually completed. It shall also indicate the filing date of any earlier application whose pri- ority is claimed or, if the priority of more than one earlier application is claimed, the filing date of the earliest among them.

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43.3 Classification (a) The international search report shall contain the classification

of the subject matter at least according to the International Patent Classification.

(b) Such classification shall be effected by the International Searching Authority.

43.4 Language Every international search report and any declaration made under Article 17(2)(a) shall be in the language in which the international application to which it relates is published.

43.5 Citations (a) The international search report shall contain the citations of

the documents considered to be relevant. (b) The method of identifying any cited document shall be regu-

lated by the Administrative Instructions. (c) Citations of particular relevance shall be specially indicated. (d) Citations which are not relevant to all the claims shall be cited

in relation to the claim or claims to which they are relevant. (e) If only certain passages of the cited document are relevant or

particularly relevant, they shall be identified, for example, by indicating the page, the column, or the lines, where the passage appears. If the entire document is relevant but some passages are of particular relevance, such passages shall be identified unless such identification is not practicable.

43.6 Fields Searched (a) The international search report shall list the classification iden-

tification of the fields searched. If that identification is ef- fected on the basis of a classification other than the Inter- national Patent Classification, the International Searching Au- thority shall publish the classification used.

(b) If the international search extended to patents, inventors’ cer- tificates, utility certificates, utility models, patents or certifi-

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cates of addition, inventors’ certificates of addition, utility cer- tificates of addition, or published applications for any of those kinds of protection, of States, periods, or languages, not in- cluded in the minimum documentation as defined in Rule 34, the international search report shall, when practicable, iden- tify the kinds of documents, the States, the periods, and the languages to which it extended. For the purposes of this para- graph, Article 2(ii) shall not apply.

(c) If the international search was based on, or was extended to, any electronic data base, the international search report may indicate the name of the data base and, where considered use- ful to others and practicable, the search terms used.

43.7 Remarks Concerning Unity of Invention If the applicant paid additional fees for the international search, the international search report shall so indicate. Furthermore, where the international search was made on the main invention only or on less than all the inventions (Article 17(3)(a)), the international search re- port shall indicate what parts of the international application were and what parts were not searched.

43.8 Authorised Officer The international search report shall indicate the name of the officer of the International Searching Authority responsible for that report.

43.9 Additional Matter The international search report shall contain no matter other than that specified in Rules 33.1(b) and (c), 43.1 to 43.3, 43.5 to 43.8, and 44.2(a), and the indication referred to in Article 17(2)(b), provided that the Administrative Instructions may permit the inclusion in the international search report of any additional matter specified in the Administrative Instructions. The international search report shall not contain, and the Administrative Instructions shall not permit the in- clusion of, any expressions of opinion, reasoning, arguments, or ex- planations.

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43.10 Form The physical requirements as to the form of the international search report shall be prescribed by the Administrative Instructions.

Rule 44—Transmittal of the International Search Report, Etc.

44.1 Copies of Report or Declaration The International Searching Authority shall, on the same day, trans- mit one copy of the international search report or the declaration re- ferred to in Article 17(2)(a) to the International Bureau and one copy to the applicant.

44.2 Title or Abstract (a) The international search report shall either state that the Inter-

national Searching Authority approves the title and the ab- stract as submitted by the applicant or be accompanied by the text of the title and/or abstract as established by the Inter- national Searching Authority under Rules 37 and 38.

(b) [Deleted] (c) [Deleted]

44.3 Copies of Cited Documents (a) The request referred to in Article 20(3) may be presented any

time during seven years from the international filing date of the international application to which the international search report relates.

(b) The International Searching Authority may require that the party (applicant or designated Office) presenting the request pay to it the cost of preparing and mailing the copies. The level of the cost of preparing copies shall be provided for in the agreements referred to in Article 16(3)(b) between the Inter- national Searching Authorities and the International Bureau.

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(d) Any International Searching Authority may perform the obli- gations referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) through another agency responsible to it.

Rule 45—Translation of the International Search Report

45.1 Languages International search reports and declarations referred to in Article 17(2)(a) shall, when not in English, be translated into English.

Rule 46—Amendment of Claims before the International Bureau

46.1 Time Limit The time limit referred to in Article 19 shall be two months from the date of transmittal of the international search report to the Inter- national Bureau and to the applicant by the International Searching Authority or 16 months from the priority date, whichever time limit expires later, provided that any amendment made under Article 19 which is received by the International Bureau after the expiration of the applicable time limit shall be considered to have been received by that Bureau on the last day of that time limit if it reaches it before the technical preparations for international publication have been com- pleted.

46.2 Where to File Amendments made under Article 19 shall be filed directly with the International Bureau.

46.3 Language of Amendments If the international application has been filed in a language other than the language in which it is published, any amendment made under Article 19 shall be in the language of publication.

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46.4 Statement (a) The statement referred to in Article 19(1) shall be in the lan-

guage in which the international application is published and shall not exceed 500 words if in the English language or if translated into that language. The statement shall be identified as such by a heading, preferably by using the words “State- ment under Article 19(1)” or their equivalent in the language of the statement.

(b) The statement shall contain no disparaging comments on the international search report or the relevance of citations con- tained in that report. Reference to citations, relevant to a given claim, contained in the international search report may be made only in connection with an amendment of that claim.

46.5 Form of Amendments (a) The applicant shall be required to submit a replacement sheet

for every sheet of the claims which, on account of an amend- ment or amendments under Article 19, differs from the sheet originally filed. The letter accompanying the replacement sheets shall draw attention to the differences between the replaced sheets and the replacement sheets. To the extent that any amendment results in the cancellation of an entire sheet, that amendment shall be communicated in a letter.

(b) and (c) [Deleted]

Rule 47—Communication to Designated Offices

47.1 Procedure (a) The communication provided for inArticle 20 shall be effected

by the International Bureau. (abis) The International Bureau shall notify each designated Office,

at the time of the communication provided for in Article 20, of the fact and date of receipt of the record copy and of the fact and date of receipt of any priority document. Such noti- fication shall also be sent to any designated Office which has

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waived the communication provided for in Article 20, unless such Office has also waived the notification of its designation.

(b) Such communication shall be effected promptly after the inter- national publication of the international application and, in any event, by the end of the 19th month after the priority date. Any amendment received by the International Bureau within the time limit under Rule 46.1 which was not included in the com- munication shall be communicated promptly to the designated Offices by the International Bureau, and the latter shall notify the applicant accordingly.

(c) The International Bureau shall send a notice to the applicant indicating the designated Offices to which the communication has been effected and the date of such communication. Such notice shall be sent on the same day as the communication. Each designated Office shall be informed, separately from the communication, about the sending and the date of mailing of the notice. The notice shall be accepted by all designated Of- fices as conclusive evidence that the communication has duly taken place on the date specified in the notice.

(d) Each designated Office shall, when it so requires, receive the international search reports and the declarations referred to in Article 17(2)(a) also in the translation referred to in Rule 45.1.

(e) Where any designated Office has waived the requirement pro- vided under Article 20, the copies of the documents which otherwise would have been sent to that Office shall, at the re- quest of that Office or the applicant, be sent to the applicant at the time of the notice referred to in paragraph (c).

47.2 Copies (a) The copies required for communication shall be prepared by

the International Bureau. (b) They shall be on sheets of A4 size. (c) Except to the extent that any designated Office notifies the

International Bureau otherwise, copies of the pamphlet under Rule 48 may be used for the purposes of the communication of the international application under Article 20.

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47.3 Languages The international application communicated under Article 20 shall be in the language in which it is published provided that if that language is different from the language in which it was filed it shall, on the request of the designated Office, be communicated in either or both of these languages.

47.4 Express Request under Article 23(2) Where the applicant makes an express request to a designated Office under Article 23(2) before the communication provided for in Art- icle 20 has taken place, the International Bureau shall, upon request of the applicant or the designated Office, promptly effect that com- munication to that Office.

Rule 48—International Publication 48.1 Form (a) The international application shall be published in the form of

a pamphlet. (b) The particulars regarding the form of the pamphlet and the

method of reproduction shall be governed by the Administra- tive Instructions.

48.2 Contents (a) The pamphlet shall contain:

(i) a standardized front page, (ii) the description, (iii) the claims, (iv) the drawings, if any, (v) subject to paragraph (g), the international search report

or the declaration under Article 17(2)(a); the publica- tion of the international search report in the pamphlet shall, however, not be required to include the part of the international search report which contains only mat- ter referred to in Rule 43 already appearing on the front page of the pamphlet,

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(vi) any statement filed under Article 19(1), unless the Inter- national Bureau finds that the statement does not com- ply with the provisions of Rule 46.4,

(vii) any request for rectification referred to in the third sen- tence of Rule 91.1(f),

(viii) any indications in relation to a depositedmicroorganism furnished under Rule 13bis separately from the descrip- tion, together with an indication of the date onwhich the International Bureau received such indications.

(b) Subject to paragraph (c), the front page shall include: (i) data taken from the request sheet and such other data as

are prescribed by the Administrative Instructions, (ii) a figure or figures where the international application

contains drawings, unless Rule 8.2(b) applies, (iii) the abstract; if the abstract is both in English and in

another language, the English text shall appear first. (c) Where a declaration under Article 17(2)(a) has issued, the

front page shall conspicuously refer to that fact and need in- clude neither a drawing nor an abstract.

(d) The figure or figures referred to in paragraph (b)(ii) shall be selected as provided in Rule 8.2. Reproduction of such figure or figures on the front page may be in a reduced form.

(e) If there is not enough room on the front page for the totality of the abstract referred to in paragraph (b)(iii), the said abstract shall appear on the back of the front page. The same shall apply to the translation of the abstract when such translation is required to be published under Rule 48.3(c).

(f) If the claims have been amended under Article 19, the publi- cation shall contain either the full text of the claims both as filed and as amended or the full text of the claims as filed and specify the amendments. Any statement referred to in Article 19(1) shall be included as well, unless the International Bureau finds that the statement does not comply with the provisions of Rule 46.4. The date of receipt of the amended claims by the International Bureau shall be indicated.

(g) If, at the time of the completion of the technical preparations for international publication, the international search report is

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not yet available (for example, because of publication on the request of the applicant as provided in Articles 21(2)(b) and 64(3)(c)(i), the pamphlet shall contain, in place of the inter- national search report, an indication to the effect that that re- port was not available and that either the pamphlet (then also including the international search report) will be republished or the international search report (when it becomes available) will be separately published.

(h) If, at the time of the completion of the technical preparations for international publication, the time limit for amending the claims under Article 19 has not expired, the pamphlet shall re- fer to that fact and indicate that, should the claims be amended under Article 19, then, promptly after such amendments, either the pamphlet (containing the claims as amended) will be re- published or a statement reflecting all the amendments will be published. In the latter case, at least the front page and the claims shall be republished and, if a statement under Article 19(1) has been filed, that statement shall be published as well, unless the International Bureau finds that the statement does not comply with the provisions of Rule 46.4.

(i) The Administrative Instructions shall determine the cases in which the various alternatives referred to in paragraphs (g) and (h) shall apply. Such determination shall depend on the volume and complexity of the amendments and/or the volume of the international application and the cost factors.

48.3 Languages (a) If the international application is filed in English, French, Ger-

man, Japanese, Russian or Spanish, that application shall be published in the language in which it was filed.

(b) If the international application is filed in a language other than English, French, German, Japanese, Russian or Spanish, that application shall be published in English translation. The translation shall be prepared under the responsibility of the International Searching Authority, which shall be obliged to have it ready in time to permit international publication

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by the prescribed date, or, where Article 64(3)(b) applies, to permit the communication under Article 20 by the end of the 19th month after the priority date. Notwithstanding Rule 16.1(a), the International Searching Authority may charge a fee for the translation to the applicant. The International Searching Authority shall give the applicant an opportunity to comment on the draft translation. The International Searching Authority shall fix a time limit reasonable under the circum- stances of the case for such comments. If there is no time to take the comments of the applicant into account before the translation is communicated or if there is a difference of opinion between the applicant and the said Authority as to the correct translation, the applicant may send a copy of his comments, or what remains of them, to the International Bureau and each designated Office to which the translation was communicated. The International Bureau shall publish the essence of the comments together with the translation of the International Searching Authority or subsequently to the publication of such translation.

(c) If the international application is published in a language other than English, the international search report to the extent that it is published under Rule 48.2(a)(v), or the declaration referred to in Article 17(2)(a), the title of the invention, the abstract and any text matter pertaining to the figure or figures accom- panying the abstract shall be published both in that language and in English. The translations shall be prepared under the responsibility of the International Bureau.

48.4 Earlier Publication on the Applicant’s Request (a) Where the applicant asks for publication under Articles

21(2)(b) and 64(3)(c)(i) and the international search report, or the declaration referred to in Article 17(2)(a), is not yet available for publication together with the international ap- plication, the International Bureau shall collect a special publication fee whose amount shall be fixed in the Adminis- trative Instructions.

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(b) Publication under Articles 21(2)(b) and 64(3)(c)(i) shall be ef- fected by the International Bureau promptly after the applicant has asked for it and, where a special fee is due under paragraph (a), after receipt of such fee.

48.5 Notification of National Publication Where the publication of the international application by the Inter- national Bureau is governed by Article 64(3)(c)(ii), the national Of- fice concerned shall, promptly after effecting the national publication referred to in the said provision, notify the International Bureau of the fact of such national publication.

48.6 Announcing of Certain Facts (a) If any notification under Rule 29.1(a)(ii) reaches the Inter-

national Bureau at a time later than that at which it was able to prevent the international publication of the international ap- plication, the International Bureau shall promptly publish a notice in the Gazette reproducing the essence of such notifi- cation.

(b) [Deleted] (c) If the international application, the designation of any desig-

nated State or the priority claim is withdrawn under Rule 90bis after the technical preparations for international publication have been completed, notice of the withdrawal shall be pub- lished in the Gazette.

Rule 49—Copy, Translation and Fee under Article 22

49.1 Notification (a) Any Contracting State requiring the furnishing of a translation

or the payment of a national fee, or both, under Article 22, shall notify the International Bureau of: (i) the languages from which and the language into which

it requires translation, (ii) the amount of the national fee.

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(abis) Any Contracting State not requiring the furnishing, under Art- icle 22, by the applicant of a copy of the international applica- tion (even though the communication of the copy of the inter- national application by the International Bureau under Rule 47 has not taken place by the expiration of the time limit ap- plicable under Article 22) shall notify the International Bureau accordingly.

(ater) Any Contracting State which, pursuant to Article 24(2), main- tains, if it is a designated State, the effect provided for in Art- icle 11(3) even though a copy of the international application is not furnished by the applicant by the expiration of the time limit applicable under Article 22 shall notify the International Bureau accordingly.

(b) Any notification received by the International Bureau under paragraphs (a), (abis) or (ater) shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette.

(c) If the requirements under paragraph (a) change later, such changes shall be notified by the Contracting State to the Inter- national Bureau and that Bureau shall promptly publish the notification in the Gazette. If the change means that transla- tion is required into a language which, before the change, was not required, such change shall be effective only with respect to international applications filed later than two months after the publication of the notification in the Gazette. Otherwise, the effective date of any change shall be determined by the Contracting State.

49.2 Languages The language into which translation may be required must be an of- ficial language of the designated Office. If there are several of such languages, no translation may be required if the international appli- cation is in one of them. If there are several official languages and a translation must be furnished, the applicant may choose any of those languages. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this para- graph, if there are several official languages but the national law pre-

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scribes the use of one such language for foreigners, a translation into that language may be required.

49.3 Statements under Article 19; Indications under Rule 13bis.4

For the purposes of Article 22 and the present Rule, any statement made under Article 19(1) and any indication furnished under Rule 13bis.4 shall, subject to Rule 49.5(c) and (h), be considered part of the international application.

49.4 Use of National Form No applicant shall be required to use a national form when perform- ing the acts referred to in Article 22.

49.5 Contents of and Physical Requirements for the Translation

(a) For the purposes of Article 22, the translation of the inter- national application shall contain the description, the claims, any text matter of the drawings and the abstract. If required by the designated Office, the translation shall also, subject to paragraphs (b), (cbis) and (e), (i) contain the request, (ii) if the claims have been amended under Article 19, con-

tain both the claims as filed and the claims as amended, and

(iii) be accompanied by a copy of the drawings. (b) Any designated Office requiring the furnishing of a transla-

tion of the request shall furnish copies of the request form in the language of the translation free of charge to the applicants. The form and contents of the request form in the language of the translation shall not be different from those of the request under Rules 3 and 4; in particular, the request form in the lan- guage of the translation shall not ask for any information that is not in the request as filed. The use of the request form in the language of the translation shall be optional.

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(c) Where the applicant did not furnish a translation of any state- ment made under Article 19(1), the designated Office may dis- regard such statement.

(cbis) Where the applicant furnishes, to a designated Office which requires under paragraph (a)(ii) a translation of both the claims as filed and the claims as amended, only one of the required two translations, the designated Office may disregard the claims of which a translation has not been furnished or invite the applicant to furnish the missing translation within a time limit which shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be fixed in the invitation. Where the designated Office chooses to invite the applicant to furnish the missing translation and the latter is not furnished within the time limit fixed in the invitation, the designated Office may disregard those claims of which a translation has not been furnished or consider the international application withdrawn.

(d) If any drawing contains text matter, the translation of that text matter shall be furnished either in the form of a copy of the original drawingwith the translation pasted on the original text matter or in the form of a drawing executed anew.

(e) Any designated Office requiring under paragraph (a) the fur- nishing of a copy of the drawings shall, where the applicant failed to furnish such copy within the time limit applicable under Article 22, invite the applicant to furnish such copy within a time limit which shall be reasonable under the cir- cumstances and shall be fixed in the invitation.

(f) The expression “Fig.” does not require translation into any language.

(g) Where any copy of the drawings or any drawing executed anewwhich has been furnished under paragraph (d) or (e) does not comply with the physical requirements referred to in Rule 11, the designated Office may invite the applicant to correct the defect within a time limit which shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be fixed in the invitation.

(h) Where the applicant did not furnish a translation of the abstract or of any indication furnished under Rule 13bis.4, the desig- nated Office shall invite the applicant to furnish such transla-

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tion, if it deems it to be necessary, within a time limit which shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be fixed in the invitation.

(i) Information on any requirement and practice of designated Of- fices under the second sentence of paragraph (a) shall be pub- lished by the International Bureau in the Gazette.

(j) No designated Office shall require that the translation of the international application comply with physical requirements other than those prescribed for the international application as filed.

(k) Where a title has been established by the International Search- ing Authority pursuant to Rule 37.2, the translation shall con- tain the title as established by that Authority.

(l) If, on July 12, 1991, paragraph (cbis) or paragraph (k) is not compatible with the national law applied by the designated Of- fice, the paragraph concerned shall not apply to that designated Office for as long as it continues not to be compatible with that law, provided that the said Office informs the International Bu- reau accordingly by December 31, 1991. The information re- ceived shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette.

Rule 50—Faculty under Article 22(3) 50.1 Exercise of Faculty (a) Any Contracting State allowing a time limit expiring later than

the time limits provided for in Article 22(1) or (2) shall notify the International Bureau of the time limits so fixed.

(b) Any notification received by the International Bureau under paragraph (a) shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette

(c) Notifications concerning the shortening of the previously fixed time limit shall be effective in relation to international applica- tions filed after the expiration of three months computed from the date on which the notification was published by the Inter- national Bureau.

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(d) Notifications concerning the lengthening of the previously fixed time limit shall become effective upon publication by the International Bureau in the Gazette in respect of inter- national applications pending at the time or filed after the date of such publication, or, if the Contracting State effecting the notification fixes some later date, as from the latter date.

Rule 51—Review by Designated Offices 51.1 Time Limit for Presenting the Request to Send Copies The time limit referred to in Article 25(1)(c) shall be two months computed from the date of the notification sent to the applicant under Rules 20.7(i), 24.2(c), 29.1(a)(ii), or 29.1(b).

51.2 Copy of the Notice Where the applicant, after having received a negative determination under Article 11(1), requests the International Bureau, under Article 25(1), to send copies of the file of the purported international appli- cation to any of the named Offices he has attempted to designate, he shall attach to his request a copy of the notice referred to in Rule 20.7(i).

51.3 Time Limit for Paying National Fee and Furnishing Translation

The time limit referred to in Article 25(2)(a) shall expire at the same time as the time limit prescribed in Rule 51.1.

Rule 51bis—Certain National Requirements Allowed under Article 27(1), (2), (6) and (7)

51bis.1 Certain National Requirements Allowed (a) The documents referred to in Article 27(2)(ii), or the evidence

referred to in Article 27(6), which the applicant may be re- quired to furnish under the national law applicable by the des- ignated Office include, in particular: (i) any document relating to the identity of the inventor,

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(ii) any document relating to any transfer or assignment of the right to the application,

(iii) any document containing an oath or declaration by the inventor alleging his inventorship,

(iv) any document containing a declaration by the applicant designating the inventor or alleging the right to the ap- plication,

(v) any document containing any proof of the right of the applicant to claim priority where he is different from the applicant having filed the earlier application the priority of which is claimed,

(vi) any evidence concerning non-prejudicial disclosures or exceptions to lack of novelty, such as disclosures result- ing from abuse, disclosures at certain exhibitions and disclosures by the applicant during a certain period of time.

(b) The national law applicable by the designated Office may, in accordance with Article 27(7), require that (i) the applicant be represented by an agent having the right

to represent applicants before that Office and/or have an address in the designated State for the purpose of receiving notifications,

(ii) the agent, if any, representing the applicant be duly ap- pointed by the applicant.

(c) The national law applicable by the designated Office may, in accordance with Article 27(1), require that the international application, the translation thereof or any document relating thereto be furnished in more than one copy.

(d) The national law applicable by the designated Office may, in accordance with Article 27(2)(ii), require that the transla- tion of the international application furnished by the applicant under Article 22 be verified by the applicant or the person hav- ing translated the international application in a statement to the effect that, to the best of his knowledge, the translation is com- plete and faithful.

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51bis.2 Opportunity to Comply with National Requirements (a) Where any of the requirements referred to in Rule 51bis.1, or

any other requirement of the national law applicable by the designated Office which that Office may apply under Article 27(1), (2), (6) or (7), is not already fulfilled during the same period within which the requirements under Article 22 must be complied with, the applicant shall have an opportunity to complywith the requirement after the expiration of that period.

(b) The national law applicable by the designated Office may, in accordance with Article 27(2)(ii), require that the applicant, upon invitation by the designated Office, furnish a certifica- tion of the translation of the international application by a public authority or a sworn translator, if the designated Of- fice deems such certification to be necessary under the circum- stances, within a time limit which shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be fixed in the invitation.

Rule 52—Amendment of the Claims, the Description, and the Drawings, before

Designated Offices 52.1 Time Limit (a) In any designated State in which processing or examination

starts without special request, the applicant shall, if he so wishes, exercise the right under Article 28 within one month from the fulfillment of the requirements under Article 22, provided that, if the communication under Rule 47.1 has not been effected by the expiration of the time limit applicable under Article 22, he shall exercise the said right not later than four months after such expiration date. In either case, the applicant may exercise the said right at any other time if so permitted by the national law of the said State.

(b) In any designated State in which the national law provides that examination starts only on special request, the time limit within or the time at which the applicant may exercise the right under Article 28 shall be the same as that provided by the na- tional law for the filing of amendments in the case of the exam-

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ination, on special request, of national applications, provided that such time limit shall not expire prior to, or such time shall not come before, the expiration of the time limit applicable under paragraph (a).

Part C Rules Concerning Chapter II of the Treaty

Rule 53—The Demand 53.1 Form (a) The demand shall be made on a printed form or be presented

as a computer print-out. The particulars of the printed form and of a demand presented as a computer print-out shall be prescribed by the Administrative Instructions.

(b) Copies of printed demand forms shall be furnished free of charge by the receiving Office or by the International Prelim- inary Examining Authority.

53.2 Contents (a) The demand shall contain:

(i) a petition, (ii) indications concerning the applicant and the agent if

there is an agent, (iii) indications concerning the international application to

which it relates, (iv) election of States, (v) where applicable, a statement concerning amendments.

(b) The demand shall be signed.

53.3 The Petition The petition shall be to the following effect and shall preferably be worded as follows: “Demand under Article 31 of the Patent Cooper- ation Treaty: The undersigned requests that the international applica- tion specified below be the subject of international preliminary exam- ination according to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.”

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53.4 The Applicant As to the indications concerning the applicant, Rules 4.4 and 4.16 shall apply, and Rule 4.5 shall apply mutatis mutandis. Only appli- cants for the elected States are required to be indicated in the demand.

53.5 Agent or Common Representative If an agent or common representative is designated, the demand shall so indicate. Rules 4.4 and 4.16 shall apply, and Rule 4.7 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

53.6 Identification of the International Application The international application shall be identified by the name and ad- dress of the applicant, the title of the invention, the international fil- ing date (if known to the applicant) and the international application number or, where such number is not known to the applicant, the name of the receiving Office with which the international applica- tion was filed.

53.7 Election of States (a) The demand shall indicate at least one Contracting State from

among those States which are designated and are bound by Chapter II of the Treaty (“eligible States”), as an elected State.

(b) Election of Contracting States in the demand shall be made: (i) by an indication that all eligible States are elected, or, (ii) in the case of States which have been designated for the

purpose of obtaining national patents, by an indication of those eligible States that are elected, and, in the case of States which have been designated for the purpose of obtaining a regional patent, by an indication of the regional patent concerned together with either an indi- cation that all eligible States party to the regional patent treaty concerned are elected or an indication of those among the said States that are elected.

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53.8 Signature (a) Subject to paragraph (b), the demand shall be signed by the

applicant or, if there is more than one applicant, by all appli- cants making the demand.

(b) Where two or more applicants file a demand which elects a State whose national law requires that national applications be filed by the inventor and where an applicant for that elected State who is an inventor refused to sign the demand or could not be found or reached after diligent effort, the demand need not be signed by that applicant (“the applicant concerned”) if it is signed by at least one applicant and (i) a statement is furnished explaining, to the satisfaction

of the International Preliminary Examining Authority, the lack of signature of the applicant concerned, or

(ii) the applicant concerned did not sign the request but the requirements of Rule 4.15(b) were complied with.

53.9 Statement Concerning Amendments (a) If amendments under Article 19 have been made, the state-

ment concerning amendments shall indicate whether, for the purposes of the international preliminary examination, the ap- plicant wishes those amendments (i) to be taken into account, in which case a copy of the

amendments shall preferably be submitted with the de- mand, or

(ii) to be considered as reversed by an amendment under Article 34.

(b) If no amendments under Article 19 have been made and the time limit for filing such amendments has not expired, the statement may indicate that the applicant wishes the start of the international preliminary examination to be postponed in accordance with Rule 69.1(d).

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Rule 54—The Applicant Entitled to Make a Demand

54.1 Residence and Nationality The residence or nationality of the applicant shall, for the purposes of Article 31(2), be determined according to Rules 18.1 and 18.2.

54.2 Two or More Applicants If there are two or more applicants, the right to make a demand under Article 31(2) shall exist if at least one of the applicants making the demand is (i)

(ii)

a resident or national of a Contracting State bound by Chapter II and the international application has been filed with a re- ceiving Office of or acting for a Contracting State bound by Chapter II, or a person entitled to make a demand under Article 31(2)(b) and the international application has been filed as provided in the decision of the Assembly.

54.3 [Deleted]

54.4 (a)

(b)

Applicant Not Entitled to Make a Demand If the applicant does not have the right to make a demand or, in the case of two or more applicants, if none of them has the right to make a demand under Rule 54.2, the demand shall be considered not to have been submitted. [Deleted]

55.1

Rule 55—Languages (International Preliminary Examination)

The Demand The demand shall be in the language of the international application or, if the international application has been filed in a language other than the language in which it is published, in the language of publi- cation.

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Rule 56—Later Elections 56.1 Elections Submitted Later Than the Demand (a) The election of States subsequent to the submission of the de-

mand (“later election”) shall be effected by a notice submit- ted to the International Bureau. The notice shall identify the international application and the demand, and shall include an indication as referred to in Rule 53.7(b)(ii).

(b) Subject to paragraph (c), the notice referred to in paragraph (a) shall be signed by the applicant for the elected States con- cerned or, if there is more than one applicant for those States, by all of them.

(c) Where two or more applicants file a notice effecting a later election of a State whose national law requires that national applications be filed by the inventor and where an applicant for that elected State who is an inventor refused to sign the notice or could not be found or reached after diligent effort, the notice need not be signed by that applicant (“the applicant concerned”) if it is signed by at least one applicant and (i) a statement is furnished explaining, to the satisfaction

of the International Bureau, the lack of signature of the applicant concerned, or

(ii) the applicant concerned did not sign the request but the requirements of Rule 4.15(b) were complied with, or did not sign the demand but the requirements of Rule 53.8(b) were complied with.

(d) An applicant for a State elected by a later election need not have been indicated as an applicant in the demand.

(e) If a notice effecting a later election is submitted after the expir- ation of 19 months from the priority date, the International Bu- reau shall notify the applicant that the election does not have the effect provided for under Article 39(1)(a) and that the acts referred to in Article 22 must be performed in respect of the electedOffice concernedwithin the time limit applicable under Article 22.

(f) If, notwithstanding paragraph (a), a notice effecting a later election is submitted by the applicant to the International Pre- liminary Examining Authority rather than the International

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Bureau, that Authority shall mark the date of receipt on the notice and transmit it promptly to the International Bureau. The notice shall be considered to have been submitted to the International Bureau on the date marked.

56.2 Identification of the International Application The international application shall be identified as provided in Rule 53.6.

56.3 Identification of the Demand The demand shall be identified by the date on which it was submitted and by the name of the International Preliminary Examining Author- ity to which it was submitted.

56.4 Form of Later Elections The notice effecting the later election shall preferably be worded as follows: “In relation to the international application filed with … on … under No. … by … (applicant) (and the demand for inter- national preliminary examination submitted on … to …), the under- signed elects the following additional State(s) under Article 31 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty: …”

56.5 Language of Later Elections The later election shall be in the language of the demand.

Rule 57—The Handling Fee 57.1 Requirement to Pay (a) Each demand for international preliminary examination shall

be subject to the payment of a fee for the benefit of the Inter- national Bureau (“handling fee”) to be collected by the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority to which the de- mand is submitted.

(b) [Deleted]

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57.2 Amount (a) The amount of the handling fee is as set out in the Schedule of

Fees. (b) [Deleted] (c) The amount of the handling fee shall be established, for each

International Preliminary Examining Authority which, under Rule 57.3(c), prescribes the payment of the handling fee in a currency or currencies other than Swiss currency, by the Director General after consultation with that Authority and in the currency or currencies prescribed by that Authority (“pre- scribed currency”). The amount in each prescribed currency shall be the equivalent, in round figures, of the amount of the handling fee in Swiss currency set out in the Schedule of Fees. The amounts in the prescribed currencies shall be published in the Gazette.

(d) Where the amount of the handling fee set out in the Schedule of Fees is changed, the corresponding amounts in the prescribed currencies shall be applied from the same date as the amount set out in the amended Schedule of Fees.

(e) Where the exchange rate between Swiss currency and any pre- scribed currency becomes different from the exchange rate last applied, the Director General shall establish the new amount in the prescribed currency according to directives given by the Assembly. The newly established amount shall become ap- plicable two months after its publication in the Gazette, pro- vided that the interested International Preliminary Examin- ing Authority and the Director General may agree on a date falling during the said two-month period in which case the said amount shall become applicable for that Authority from that date.

57.3 Time and Mode of Payment (a) The handling fee shall be due at the time the demand is sub-

mitted. (b) [Deleted]

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(c) The handling fee shall be payable in the currency or currencies prescribed by the International Preliminary Examining Au- thority to which the demand is submitted, it being understood that, when transferred by that Authority to the International Bureau, it shall be freely convertible into Swiss currency.

57.4 Failure to Pay (a) Where the handling fee is not paid as required, the Inter-

national Preliminary Examining Authority shall invite the applicant to pay the fee within one month from the date of the invitation.

(b) If the applicant complies with the invitation within the one- month time limit, the handling fee shall be considered as if it had been paid on the due date.

(c) If the applicant does not comply with the invitation within the prescribed time limit, the demand shall be considered as if it had not been submitted.

57.5 [Deleted]

57.6 Refund The International Preliminary Examining Authority shall refund the handling fee to the applicant: (i) if the demand is withdrawn before the demand has been sent

by that Authority to the International Bureau, or (ii) if the demand is considered, under Rule 54.4(a), not to have

been submitted.

Rule 58—The Preliminary Examination Fee 58.1 Right to Ask for a Fee (a) Each International Preliminary Examining Authority may

require that the applicant pay a fee (“preliminary examination fee”) for its own benefit for carrying out the international preliminary examination and for performing all other tasks

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entrusted to International Preliminary Examining Authorities under the Treaty and these Regulations.

(b) The amount and the due date of the preliminary examination fee, if any, shall be fixed by the International Preliminary Examining Authority, provided that the said due date shall not be earlier than the due date of the handling fee.

(c) The preliminary examination fee shall be payable directly to the International Preliminary Examining Authority. Where that Authority is a national Office, it shall be payable in the currency prescribed by that Office, and where the Authority is an intergovernmental organization, it shall be payable in the currency of the State in which the intergovernmental organ- ization is located or in any other currency which is freely con- vertible into the currency of the said State.

58.2 Failure to Pay (a) Where the preliminary examination fee fixed by the Inter-

national Preliminary Examining Authority under Rule 58.1(b) is not paid as required under that Rule, the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall invite the applicant to pay the fee or the missing part thereof within one month from the date of the invitation.

(b) If the applicant complies with the invitation within the pre- scribed time limit, the preliminary examination fee will be considered as if it had been paid on the due date.

(c) If the applicant does not comply with the invitation within the prescribed time limit, the demand shall be considered as if it had not been submitted.

58.3 Refund The International Preliminary Examining Authorities shall inform the International Bureau of the extent, if any, to which, and the con- ditions, if any, under which, they will refund any amount paid as a preliminary examination fee where the demand is considered as if it had not been submitted, and the International Bureau shall promptly publish such information.

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Rule 59—The Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority

59.1 Demands under Article 31(2)(a) For demands made under Article 31(2)(a), each receiving Office of or acting for a Contracting State bound by the provisions of Chapter II shall, in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement re- ferred to in Article 32(2) and (3), inform the International Bureau which International Preliminary Examining Authority is or which International Preliminary Examining Authorities are competent for the international preliminary examination of international applica- tions filed with it. The International Bureau shall promptly publish such information. Where several International Preliminary Examin- ing Authorities are competent, the provisions of Rule 35.2 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

59.2 Demands under Article 31(2)(b) As to demands made under Article 31(2)(b), the Assembly, in speci- fying the International Preliminary Examining Authority competent for international applications filed with a national Office which is an International Preliminary Examining Authority, shall give preference to that Authority; if the national Office is not an International Pre- liminary Examining Authority, the Assembly shall give preference to the International Preliminary Examining Authority recommended by that Office.

Rule 60—Certain Defects in the Demand or Elections

60.1 Defects in the Demand (a) If the demand does not comply with the requirements speci-

fied in Rules 53.1, 53.2(a)(i) to (iv), 53.2(b), 53.3 to 53.8 and 55, the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall invite the applicant to correct the defects within a time limit which shall be reasonable under the circumstances. That time limit shall not be less than one month from the date of the in- vitation. It may be extended by the International Preliminary Examining Authority at any time before a decision is taken.

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(b) If the applicant complies with the invitation within the time limit under paragraph (a), the demand shall be considered as if it had been received on the actual filing date, provided that the demand as submitted contained at least one election and permitted the international application to be identified; other- wise, the demand shall be considered as if it had been received on the date on which the International Preliminary Examining Authority receives the correction.

(c) Subject to paragraph (d), if the applicant does not comply with the invitation within the time limit under paragraph (a), the demand shall be considered as if it had not been submitted.

(d) Where, after the expiration of the time limit under paragraph (a), a signature required under Rule 53.8 or a prescribed indi- cation is lacking in respect of an applicant for a certain elected State, the election of that State shall be considered as if it had not been made.

(e) If the defect is noticed by the International Bureau, it shall bring the defect to the attention of the International Prelim- inary Examining Authority, which shall then proceed as pro- vided in paragraphs (a) to (d).

(f) If the demand does not contain a statement concerning amend- ments, the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall proceed as provided for in Rules 66.1 and 69.1(a) or (b).

(g) Where the statement concerning amendments contains an in- dication that amendments under Article 34 are submitted with the demand (Rule 53.9(c)) but no such amendments are, in fact, submitted, the International Preliminary Examining Au- thority shall invite the applicant to submit the amendments within a time limit fixed in the invitation and shall proceed as provided for in Rule 69.1(e).

60.2 Defects in Later Elections (a) If the notice effecting a later election does not comply with the

requirements of Rule 56, the International Bureau shall invite the applicant to correct the defects within a time limit which shall be reasonable under the circumstances. That time limit

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shall not be less than one month from the date of the invitation. It may be extended by the International Bureau at any time before a decision is taken.

(b) If the applicant complies with the invitation within the time limit under paragraph (a), the notice shall be considered as if it had been received on the actual filing date, provided that the notice as submitted contained at least one election and permit- ted the international application to be identified; otherwise, the notice shall be considered as if it had been received on the date on which the International Bureau receives the correction.

(c) Subject to paragraph (d), if the applicant does not comply with the invitation within the time limit under paragraph (a), the notice shall be considered as if it had not been submitted.

(d) Where, in respect of an applicant for a certain elected State, the signature required under Rule 56.1(b) and (c) or the name or address is lacking after the expiration of the time limit under paragraph (a), the later election of that State shall be consid- ered as if it had not been made.

Rule 61—Notification of the Demand and Elections

61.1 Notification to the International Bureau and the Applicant (a) The International Preliminary Examining Authority shall in-

dicate on the demand the date of receipt or, where applicable, the date referred to in Rule 60.1(b). The International Prelim- inary Examining Authority shall promptly send the demand to the International Bureau, and shall prepare and keep a copy in its file.

(b) The International Preliminary Examining Authority shall promptly inform the applicant in writing of the date of receipt of the demand. Where the demand has been considered under Rules 54.4(a), 57.4(c), 58.2(c), or 60.1(c) as if it had not been submitted or where an election has been considered under Rule 60.1(d) as if it had not been made, the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall notify the applicant and the International Bureau accordingly.

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(c) The International Bureau shall promptly notify the applicant of the receipt, and the date of receipt, of any notice effecting a later election. That date shall be the actual date of receipt by the International Bureau or, where applicable, the date referred to in Rule 56.1(f) or 60.2(b). Where the notice has been con- sidered under Rule 60.2(c) as if it had not been submitted or where a later election has been considered under Rule 60.2(d) as if it had not been made, the International Bureau shall no- tify the applicant accordingly.

61.2 Notification to the Elected Offices (a) The notification provided for in Article 31(7) shall be effected

by the International Bureau. (b) The notification shall indicate the number and filing date of the

international application, the name of the applicant, the filing date of the application whose priority is claimed (where prior- ity is claimed), the date of receipt by the International Prelim- inary Examining Authority of the demand, and—in the case of a later election—the date of receipt of the notice effecting the later election. The latter date shall be the actual date of receipt by the International Bureau or, where applicable, the date re- ferred to in Rule 56.1(f) or 60.2(b).

(c) The notification shall be sent to the elected Office together with the communication provided for in Article 20. Elections effected after such communication shall be notified promptly after they have been made.

(d) Where the applicant makes an express request to an elected Office under Article 40(2) before the communication provided for in Article 20 has taken place, the International Bureau shall, upon request of the applicant or the elected Office, promptly effect that communication to that Office.

61.3 Information for the Applicant The International Bureau shall inform the applicant in writing of the notification referred to in Rule 61.2 and of the elected Offices notified under Article 31(7).

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61.4 Publication in the Gazette Where a demand has been filed prior to the expiration of the 19th month from the priority date, the International Bureau shall publish a notice of that fact in the Gazette promptly after the filing of the de- mand, but not before the international publication of the international application. The notice shall indicate all designated States bound by Chapter II which have not been elected.

Rule 62—Copy of Amendments Under Article 19 for the International Preliminary

Examining Authority 62.1 Amendments Made before the Demand is Filed Upon receipt of a demand from the International Preliminary Exam- ining Authority, the International Bureau shall promptly transmit a copy of any amendments under Article 19 to that Authority, unless that Authority has indicated that it has already received such a copy.

62.2 Amendments Made after the Demand is Filed (a) If, at the time of filing any amendments under Article 19, a de-

mand has already been submitted, the applicant shall prefer- ably, at the same time as he files the amendments with the International Bureau, also file a copy of such amendments with the International Preliminary Examining Authority. In any case, the International Bureau shall promptly transmit a copy of such amendments to that Authority.

(b) [Deleted]

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Rule 63—Minimum Requirements for International Preliminary Examining

Authorities 63.1 Definition of Minimum Requirements The minimum requirements referred to in Article 32(3) shall be the following: (i) the national Office or intergovernmental organization must

have at least 100 full-time employees with sufficient technical qualifications to carry out examinations;

(ii) that Office or organization must have at its ready disposal at least the minimum documentation referred to in Rule 34, prop- erly arranged for examination purposes;

(iii) that Office or organization must have a staff which is capable of examining in the required technical fields and which has the language facilities to understand at least those languages in which the minimum documentation referred to in Rule 34 is written or is translated.

Rule 64—Prior Art for International Preliminary Examination

64.1 Prior Art (a) For the purposes of Article 33(2) and (3), everything made

available to the public anywhere in the world by means of written disclosure (including drawings and other illustrations) shall be considered prior art provided that such making avail- able occurred prior to the relevant date.

(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a), the relevant date will be: (i) subject to item (ii), the international filing date of the

international application under international prelimin- ary examination;

(ii) where the international application under international preliminary examination validly claims the priority of an earlier application, the filing date of such earlier ap- plication.

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64.2 Non-Written Disclosures In cases where the making available to the public occurred by means of an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other non-written means (“non-written disclosure”) before the relevant date as defined in Rule 64.1(b) and the date of such non-written disclosure is indicated in a written disclosure which has been made available to the public on a date which is the same as, or later than, the relevant date, the non-written disclosure shall not be considered part of the prior art for the purposes of Article 33(2) and (3). Nevertheless, the inter- national preliminary examination report shall call attention to such non-written disclosure in the manner provided for in Rule 70.9.

64.3 Certain Published Documents In cases where any application or any patent which would constitute prior art for the purposes of Article 33(2) and (3) had it been pub- lished prior to the relevant date referred to in Rule 64.1 was published on a date which is the same as, or later than, the relevant date but was filed earlier than the relevant date or claimed the priority of an earlier application which had been filed prior to the relevant date, such pub- lished application or patent shall not be considered part of the prior art for the purposes of Article 33(2) and (3). Nevertheless, the inter- national preliminary examination report shall call attention to such application or patent in the manner provided for in Rule 70.10.

Rule 65—Inventive Step or Non-Obviousness 65.1 Approach to Prior Art For the purposes of Article 33(3), the international preliminary exam- ination shall take into consideration the relation of any particular claim to the prior art as a whole. It shall take into consideration the claim’s relation not only to individual documents or parts thereof taken separately but also its relation to combinations of such docu- ments or parts of documents, where such combinations are obvious to a person skilled in the art.

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65.2 Relevant Date For the purposes of Article 33(3), the relevant date for the consid- eration of inventive step (non-obviousness) is the date prescribed in Rule 64.1.

Rule 66—Procedure before the International Preliminary Examining Authority

66.1 Basis of the International Preliminary Examination (a) Subject to paragraphs (b) to (d), the international preliminary

examination shall be based on the international application as filed.

(b) The applicant may submit amendments under Article 34 at the time of filing the demand or, subject to Rule 66.4bis until the international preliminary examination report is established.

(c) Any amendments under Article 19 made before the demand was filed shall be taken into account for the purposes of the international preliminary examination unless superseded, or considered as reversed, by an amendment under Article 34.

(d) Any amendments under Article 19 made after the demand was filed and any amendments under Article 34 submitted to the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall, subject to Rule 66.4bis be taken into account for the purposes of the international preliminary examination.

(e) Claims relating to inventions in respect of which no inter- national search report has been established need not be the subject of international preliminary examination.

66.2 First Written Opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority

(a) If the International Preliminary Examining Authority (i) considers that any of the situations referred to in Article

34(4) exists, (ii) considers that the international preliminary examin-

ation report should be negative in respect of any of the claims because the invention claimed therein does

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not appear to be novel, does not appear to involve an inventive step (does not appear to be non-obvious), or does not appear to be industrially applicable,

(iii) notices that there is some defect in the form or contents of the international application under the Treaty or these Regulations,

(iv) considers that any amendment goes beyond the disclos- ure in the international application as filed,

(v) wishes to accompany the international preliminary examination report by observations on the clarity of the claims, the description, and the drawings, or the question whether the claims are fully supported by the description,

(vi) considers that a claim relates to an invention in respect of which no international search report has been estab- lished and has decided not to carry out the international preliminary examination in respect of that claim, or

(vii) considers that a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing is not available to it in such a form that a mean- ingful international preliminary examination can be car- ried out,

the said Authority shall notify the applicant accordingly in writing. Where the national law of the national Office acting as International Preliminary Examining Authority does not al- low multiple dependent claims to be drafted in a manner dif- ferent from that provided for in the second and third sentences of Rule 6.4(a), the International Preliminary Examining Au- thority may, in case of failure to use that manner of claiming, apply Article 34(4)(b). In such case, it shall notify the appli- cant accordingly in writing.

(b) The notification shall fully state the reasons for the opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

(d) The notification shall fix a time limit for the reply. The time limit shall be reasonable under the circumstances. It shall nor-

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mally be two months after the date of notification. In no case shall it be shorter than one month after the said date. It shall be at least two months after the said date where the international search report is transmitted at the same time as the notification. It shall not be more than three months after the said date but may be extended if the applicant so requests before its expir- ation.

66.3 Formal Response to the International Preliminary Examining Authority

(a) The applicant may respond to the invitation referred to in Rule 66.2(c) of the International Preliminary Examining Authority by making amendments or — if he disagrees with the opinion of that Authority — by submitting arguments, as the case may be, or do both.

(b) Any response shall be submitted directly to the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

66.4 Additional Opportunity for Submitting Amendments or Arguments

(a) If the International Preliminary Examining Authority wishes to issue one or more additional written opinions, it may do so, and Rules 66.2 and 66.3 shall apply.

(b) On the request of the applicant, the International Preliminary Examining Authority may give him one or more additional opportunities to submit amendments or arguments.

66.4bis Consideration of Amendments and Arguments Amendments or arguments need not be taken into account by the International Preliminary Examining Authority for the purposes of a written opinion or the international preliminary examination report if they are received after that Authority has begun to draw up that opinion or report.

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66.5 Amendment Any change, other than the rectification of obvious errors, in the claims, the description, or the drawings, including cancellation of claims, omission of passages in the description, or omission of cer- tain drawings, shall be considered an amendment.

66.6 Informal Communications with the Applicant The International Preliminary Examining Authority may, at any time, communicate informally, over the telephone, in writing, or through personal interviews, with the applicant. The said Authority shall, at its discretion, decide whether it wishes to grant more than one per- sonal interview if so requested by the applicant, or whether it wishes to reply to any informal written communication from the applicant.

66.7 Priority Document (a) If the International Preliminary Examining Authority needs

a copy of the application whose priority is claimed in the international application, the International Bureau shall, on request, promptly furnish such copy. If that copy is not fur- nished to the International Preliminary Examining Authority because the applicant failed to comply with the requirements of Rule 17.1, the international preliminary examination report may be established as if the priority had not been claimed.

(b) If the application whose priority is claimed in the international application is in a language other than the language or one of the languages of the International Preliminary Examining Authority, that Authority may invite the applicant to furnish a translation in the said language or one of the said languages within two months from the date of the invitation. If the trans- lation is not furnished within that time limit, the international preliminary examination report may be established as if the priority had not been claimed.

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66.8 Form of Amendments (a) The applicant shall be required to submit a replacement sheet

for every sheet of the international application which, on ac- count of an amendment, differs from the sheet previously filed. The letter accompanying the replacement sheets shall draw attention to the differences between the replaced sheets and the replacement sheets. Where the amendment consists in the deletion of passages or in minor alterations or additions, it may be made on a copy of the relevant sheet of the international application, provided that the clarity and direct reproducibil- ity of that sheet are not adversely affected. To the extent that any amendment results in the cancellation of an entire sheet, that amendment shall be communicated in a letter.

(b) [Deleted]

66.9 Language of Amendments If the international application has been filed in a language other than the language in which it is published, any amendment, as well as any letter referred to in Rule 66.8(a), shall be submitted in the language of publication.

Rule 67—Subject Matter under Article 34(4)(a)(i)

67.1 Definition No International Preliminary Examining Authority shall be required to carry out an international preliminary examination on an inter- national application if, and to the extent to which, its subject matter is any of the following: (i) scientific and mathematical theories, (ii) plant or animal varieties or essentially biological processes

for the production of plants and animals, other than microbio- logical processes and the products of such processes,

(iii) schemes, rules, or methods of doing business, performing purely mental acts or playing games,

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(iv) methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods,

(v) mere presentations of information, (vi) computer programs to the extent that the International Pre-

liminary Examining Authority is not equipped to carry out an international preliminary examination concerning such pro- grams.

Rule 68—Lack of Unity of Invention (International Preliminary Examination)

68.1 No Invitation to Restrict or Pay Where the International Preliminary Examining Authority finds that the requirement of unity of invention is not complied with and chooses not to invite the applicant to restrict the claims or to pay additional fees, it shall proceed with the international preliminary examination, subject to Article 34(4)(b) and Rule 66.1(e) in respect of the entire international application, but shall indicate, in any written opinion and in the international preliminary examination report, that it considers that the requirement of unity of invention is not fulfilled and it shall specify the reasons therefor.

68.2 Invitation to Restrict or Pay Where the International Preliminary Examining Authority finds that the requirement of unity of invention is not compiled with and chooses to invite the applicant, at his option, to restrict the claims or to pay additional fees, it shall specify at least one possibility of restriction which, in the opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority, would be in compliance with the applicable requirement, and shall specify the amount of the additional fees and the reasons for which the international application is not considered as complying with the requirement of unity of invention. It shall, at the same time, fix a time limit, with regard to the circumstances of the case, for complying with the invitation; such time limit shall not be shorter than one month, and it shall not be longer than two months, from the date of the invitation.

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68.3 Additional Fees (a) The amount of the additional fee due for international prelim-

inary examination under Article 34(3)(a) shall be determined by the competent International Preliminary Examining Au- thority.

(b) The additional fee due for international preliminary examin- ation under Article 34(3)(a) shall be payable direct to the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority.

(c) Any applicant may pay the additional fee under protest, that is, accompanied by a reasoned statement to the effect that the international application complies with the requirement of unity of invention or that the amount of the required ad- ditional fee is excessive. Such protest shall be examined by a three-member board or other special instance of the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority, or any competent higher authority, which, to the extent that it finds the protest justified, shall order the total or partial reimbursement to the applicant of the additional fee. On the request of the applicant, the text of both the protest and the decision thereon shall be notified to the elected Offices as an annex to the international preliminary examination report.

(d) The three-member board, special instance or competent higher authority, referred to in paragraph (c), shall not comprise any person who made the decision which is the subject of the protest.

(e) Where the applicant has, under paragraph (c), paid an addi- tional fee under protest, the International Preliminary Exam- ining Authority may, after a prior review of the justification for the invitation to pay an additional fee, require that the appli- cant pay a fee for the examination of the protest (“protest fee”). The protest fee shall be paid within one month from the date of the notification to the applicant of the result of the review. If the protest fee is not so paid, the protest shall be considered withdrawn. The protest fee shall be refunded to the applicant where the three-member board, special instance or higher au-

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thority referred to in paragraph (c) finds that the protest was entirely justified.

68.4 Procedure in the Case of Insufficient Restriction of the Claims

If the applicant restricts the claims but not sufficiently to comply with the requirement of unity of invention, the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall proceed as provided in Article 34(3)(c).

68.5 Main Invention In case of doubt which invention is the main invention for the pur- poses of Article 34(3)(c), the invention first mentioned in the claims shall be considered the main invention.

Rule 69—Start of and Time Limit for International Preliminary Examination

69.1 Start of International Preliminary Examination (a) Subject to paragraphs (b) to (e), the International Preliminary

Examining Authority shall start the international preliminary examination when it is in possession both of the demand and of either the international search report or a notice of the dec- laration by the International Searching Authority under Article 17(2)(a) that no international search report will be established.

(b) If the competent International Preliminary Examining Author- ity is part of the same national Office or intergovernmental organisation as the competent International Searching Author- ity, the international preliminary examination may, if the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority so wishes and sub- ject to paragraph (d), start at the same time as the international search.

(c) Where the statement concerning amendments contains an in- dication that amendments under Article 19 are to be taken into account (Rule 53.9(a)(i)), the International Preliminary Exam- ining Authority shall not start the international preliminary

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examination before it has received a copy of the amendments concerned.

(d) Where the statement concerning amendments contains an in- dication that the start of the international preliminary examin- ation is to be postponed (Rule 53.9(b)), the International Pre- liminary Examining Authority shall not start the international preliminary examination before (i) it has received a copy of any amendments made under

Article 19, (ii) it has received a notice from the applicant that he does

not wish to make amendments under Article 19, or (iii) the expiration of 20 months from the priority date, whichever occurs first.

(e) Where the statement concerning amendments contains an in- dication that amendments under Article 34 are submitted with the demand (Rule 53.9(c)) but no such amendments are, in fact, submitted, the International Preliminary Examining Au- thority shall not start the international preliminary examin- ation before it has received the amendments or before the time limit fixed in the invitation referred to in Rule 60.1(g) has ex- pired, whichever occurs first.

69.2 Time Limit for International Preliminary Examination The time limit for establishing the international preliminary examin- ation report shall be: (i) 28 months from the priority date if the demand was filed prior

to the expiration of 19 months from the priority date; (ii) nine months from the start of the international preliminary

examination if the demand was filed after the expiration of 19 months from the priority date.

Rule 70—The International Preliminary Examination Report

70.1 Definition For the purposes of this Rule, “report” shall mean international pre- liminary examination report.

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70.2 Basis of the Report (a) If the claims have been amended, the report shall issue on the

claims as amended. (b) If, pursuant to Rule 66.7(a) or (b), the report is established as if

the priority had not been claimed, the report shall so indicate. (c) If the International Preliminary Examining Authority consid-

ers that any amendment goes beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed, the report shall be established as if such amendment had not been made, and the report shall so indicate. It shall also indicate the reasons why it considers that the amendment goes beyond the said disclosure.

(d) Where claims relate to inventions in respect of which no inter- national search report has been established and have therefore not been the subject of international preliminary examination, the international preliminary examination report shall so indi- cate.

70.3 Identifications The report shall identify the International Preliminary Examining Authoritywhich established it by indicating the name of suchAuthor- ity, and the international application by indicating the international application number, the name of the applicant, and the international filing date.

70.4 Dates The report shall indicate: (i) the date on which the demand was submitted, and (ii) the date of the report; that date shall be the date on which the

report is completed.

70.5 Classification (a) The report shall repeat the classification given under Rule 43.3

if the International Preliminary Examining Authority agrees with such classification.

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(b) Otherwise, the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall indicate in the report the classification, at least according to the International Patent Classification, which it considers correct.

70.6 (a)

(b)

Statement under Article 35(2) The statement referred to in Article 35(2) shall consist of the words “YES” or “NO,” or their equivalent in the language of the report, or some appropriate sign provided for in the Ad- ministrative Instructions, and shall be accompanied by the ci- tations, explanations and observations, if any, referred to in the last sentence of Article 35(2). If any of the three criteria referred to in Article 35(2) (that is, novelty, inventive step (non-obviousness), industrial applic- ability) is not satisfied, the statement shall be negative. If, in such a case, any of the criteria, taken separately, is satisfied, the report shall specify the criterion or criteria so satisfied.

70.7 (a)

(b)

Citations under Article 35(2) The report shall cite the documents considered to be relevant for supporting the statements made under Article 35(2). The provisions of Rule 43.5(b) and (e) shall apply also to the report.

70.8 Explanations under Article 35(2) The Administrative Instructions shall contain guidelines for cases in which the explanations referred to in Article 35(2) should or should not be given and the form of such explanations. Such guidelines shall be based on the following principles: (i) explanations shall be given whenever the statement in relation

to any claim is negative; (ii) explanations shall be given whenever the statement is positive

unless the reason for citing any document is easy to imagine on the basis of consultation of the cited document;

(iii) generally, explanations shall be given if the case provided for in the last sentence of Rule 70.6(b) obtains.

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70.9 Non-Written Disclosures Any non-written disclosure referred to in the report by virtue of Rule 64.2 shall be mentioned by indicating its kind, the date on which the written disclosure referring to the non-written disclosure was made available to the public, and the date on which the non-written dis- closure occurred in public

70.10 Certain Published Documents Any published application or any patent referred to in the report by virtue of Rule 64.3 shall be mentioned as such and shall be accom- panied by an indication of its date of publication, of its filing date, and its claimed priority date (if any). In respect of the priority date of any such document, the report may indicate that, in the opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority, such date has not been validly claimed.

70.11 Mention of Amendments If, before the International Preliminary ExaminingAuthority, amend- ments have been made, this fact shall be indicated in the report. Where any amendment has resulted in the cancellation of an entire sheet, this fact shall also be specified in the report.

70.12 Mention of Certain Defects and Other Matters If the International Preliminary Examining Authority considers that, at the time it prepares the report: (i) the international application contains any of the defects re-

ferred to in Rule 66.2(a)(iii), it shall include this opinion and the reasons therefor in the report;

(ii) the international application calls for any of the observations referred to in Rule 66.2(a)(v), it may include this opinion in the report and, if it does, it shall also indicate in the report the reasons for such opinion;

(iii) any of the situations referred to in Article 34(4) exists, it shall state this opinion and the reasons therefore in the report;

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(iv) a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing is not available to it in such a form that a meaningful international preliminary examination can be carried out, it shall so state in the report.

70.13 Remarks Concerning Unity of Invention If the applicant paid additional fees for the international preliminary examination, or if the international application or the international preliminary examination was restricted under Article 34(3), the report shall so indicate. Furthermore, where the international pre- liminary examination was carried out on restricted claims (Article 34(3)(a)), or on the main invention only (Article 34(3)(c)), the report shall indicate what parts of the international application were and what parts were not the subject of international preliminary examination. The report shall contain the indications provided for in Rule 68.1, where the International Preliminary Examining Authority chose not to invite the applicant to restrict the claims or to pay additional fees.

70.14 Authorised Officer The report shall indicate the name of the officer of the International Preliminary Examining Authority responsible for that report.

70.15 Form The physical requirements as to the form of the report shall be pre- scribed by the Administrative Instructions.

70.16 Annexes of the Report Each replacement sheet under Rule 66.8(a) and each replacement sheet containing amendments under Article 19 shall, unless super- seded by later replacement sheets, be annexed to the report. Amend- ments under Article 19 which have been considered as reversed by an amendment under Article 34 and letters under Rule 66.8(a) shall not be annexed.

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70.17 Languages of the Report and the Annexes (a) The report and any annex shall be in the language in which the

international application to which they relate is published. (b) [Deleted]

Rule 71—Transmittal of the International Preliminary Examination Report

71.1 Recipients The International Preliminary Examining Authority shall, on the same day, transmit one copy of the international preliminary exam- ination report and its annexes, if any, to the International Bureau, and one copy to the applicant.

71.2 Copies of Cited Documents (a) The request under Article 36(4) may be presented any time

during seven years from the international filing date of the international application to which the report relates.

(b) The International Preliminary Examining Authority may re- quire that the party (applicant or elected Office) presenting the request pay to it the cost of preparing and mailing the copies. The level of the cost of preparing copies shall be provided for in the agreements referred to in Article 32(2) between the International Preliminary ExaminingAuthorities and the Inter- national Bureau.

perform the obligations referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) through another agency responsible to it.

Rule 72—Translation of the International Preliminary Examination Report

72.1 Languages (a) Any elected State may require that the international prelimin-

ary examination report, established in any language other than

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the official language, or one of the official languages, of its na- tional Office, be translated into English.

(b) Any such requirement shall be notified to the International Bu- reau, which shall promptly publish it in the Gazette.

72.2 Copy of Translation for the Applicant The International Bureau shall transmit a copy of the translation re- ferred to in Rule 72.1(a) of the international preliminary examination report to the applicant at the same time as it communicates such trans- lation to the interested elected Office or Offices.

72.3 Observations on the Translation The applicant may make written observations on what, in his opin- ion, are errors of translation in the translation of the international preliminary examination report and shall send a copy of any such observations to each of the interested elected Offices and a copy to the International Bureau.

Rule 73—Communication of the International Preliminary Examination

Report 73.1 Preparation of Copies The International Bureau shall prepare the copies of the documents to be communicated under Article 36(3)(a).

73.2 Time Limit for Communication The communication provided for in Article 36(3)(a) shall be effected as promptly as possible but not earlier than the communication under Article 20.

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Rule 74—Translations of Annexes of the International Preliminary Examination Report and Transmittal Thereof

74.1 Content of Translation and Time Limit for Transmittal Thereof

Where the furnishing of a translation of the international application is required by the elected Office under Article 39(1), the applicant shall, within the time limit applicable under Article 39(1), transmit a translation of any replacement sheet referred to in Rule 70.16 which is annexed to the international preliminary examination report. The same time limit shall apply where the furnishing of a translation of the international application to the elected Office must, because of a declaration made under Article 64(2)(a)(i), be effected within the time limit applicable under Article 22.

Rule 75 [Deleted]

Rule 76—Copy, Translation and Fee under Article 39(1); Translation of Priority

Document 76.1, 76.2 and 76.3 [Deleted]

76.4 Time Limit for Translation of Priority Document The applicant shall not be required to furnish to any elected Office a certified translation of the priority document before the expiration of the applicable time limit under Article 39.

76.5 Application of Rules 22.1(g), 49 and 51bis Rules 22.1(g), 49 and 51bis shall apply, provided that: (i) any reference in the said Rules to the designated Office or to

the designated State shall be construed as a reference to the elected Office or to the elected State, respectively;

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(ii) any reference in the said Rules to Article 22 or Article 24(2) shall be construed as a reference to Article 39(1) or Article 39(3), respectively;

(iii) the words “international applications filed” in Rule 49.1(c) shall be replaced by the words “a demand submitted”;

(iv) for the purposes of Article 39(1), where an international pre- liminary examination report has been established, a translation of any amendment under Article 19 shall only be required if that amendment is annexed to that report.

76.6 Transitional Provision If, on July 12, 1991, Rule 76.5(iv) is not compatible with the national law applied by the elected Office in respect of claims amended under Article 19, Rule 76.5(iv) shall not apply in that respect to that elected Office for as long as it continues not to be compatible with that law, provided that the said Office informs the International Bureau ac- cordingly by December 31, 1991. The information received shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette.

Rule 77—Faculty under Article 39(1)(b) 77.1 Exercise of Faculty (a) Any Contracting State allowing a time limit expiring later than

the time limit provided for in Article 39(1)(a) shall notify the International Bureau of the time limit so fixed.

(b) Any notification received by the International Bureau under paragraph (a) shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette.

(c) Notifications concerning the shortening of the previously fixed time limit shall be effective in relation to demands submitted after the expiration of three months computed from the date on which the notification was published by the International Bureau.

(d) Notifications concerning the lengthening of the previously fixed time limit shall become effective upon publication by the International Bureau in the Gazette in respect of demands

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pending at the time or submitted after the date of such pub- lication, or, if the Contracting State effecting the notification fixes some later date, as from the latter date.

Rule 78—Amendment of the Claims, the Description, and the Drawings, before

Elected Offices 78.1 Time LimitWhere Election Is Effected prior to Expiration

of 19 Months from Priority Date (a) Where the election of any Contracting State is effected prior

to the expiration of the 19th month from the priority date, the applicant shall, if he so wishes, exercise the right under Art- icle 41 to amend the claims, the description and the drawings, before the elected Office concerned within one month from the fulfilment of the requirements under Article 39(1)(a), pro- vided that, if the transmittal of the international preliminary examination report under Article 36(1) has not taken place by the expiration of the time limit applicable under Article 39, he shall exercise the said right not later than four months after such expiration date. In either case, the applicant may exercise the said right at any other time if so permitted by the national law of the said State.

(b) In any elected State in which the national law provides that examination starts only on special request, the national law may provide that the time limit within or the time at which the applicant may exercise the right under Article 41 shall, where the election of any Contracting State is effected prior to the expiration of the 19th month from the priority date, be the same as that provided by the national law for the filing of amendments in the case of the examination, on special request, of national applications, provided that such time limit shall not expire prior to, or such time shall not come before, the expiration of the time limit applicable under paragraph (a).

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78.2 Time Limit Where Election Is Effected after Expiration of 19 Months from Priority Date

Where the election of any Contracting State has been effected after the expiration of the 19th month from the priority date and the appli- cant wishes to make amendments under Article 41, the time limit for making amendments under Article 28 shall apply.

78.3 Utility Models The provisions of Rules 6.5 and 13.5 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, before elected Offices. If the election was made before the expiration of the 19th month from the priority date, the reference to the time limit applicable under Article 22 is replaced by a reference to the time limit applicable under Article 39.

Part D Rules Concerning Chapter III of the Treaty

Rule 79—Calendar 79.1 Expressing Dates Applicants, national Offices, receiving Offices, International Search- ing and Preliminary Examining Authorities, and the International Bureau, shall, for the purposes of the Treaty and the Regulations, express any date in terms of the Christian era and the Gregorian cal- endar, or, if they use other eras and calendars, they shall also express any date in terms of the Christian era and the Gregorian calendar.

Rule 80—Computation of Time Limits 80.1 Periods Expressed in Years When a period is expressed as one year or a certain number of years, computation shall start on the day following the day on which the relevant event occurred, and the period shall expire in the relevant subsequent year in the month having the same name and on the day having the same number as the month and the day on which the said event occurred, provided that if the relevant subsequent month has

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no day with the same number the period shall expire on the last day of that month.

80.2 Periods Expressed in Months When a period is expressed as one month or a certain number of months, computation shall start on the day following the day on which the relevant event occurred, and the period shall expire in the relevant subsequent month on the day which has the same number as the day on which the said event occurred, provided that if the rele- vant subsequent month has no day with the same number the period shall expire on the last day of that month.

80.3 Periods Expressed in Days When a period is expressed as a certain number of days, computation shall start on the day following the day on which the relevant event occurred, and the period shall expire on the day on which the last day of the count has been reached.

80.4 Local Dates (a) The date which is taken into consideration as the starting date

of the computation of any period shall be the date which pre- vails in the locality at the time when the relevant event oc- curred.

(b) The date on which any period expires shall be the date which prevails in the locality in which the required document must be filed or the required fee must be paid.

80.5 Expiration on a Non-Working Day If the expiration of any period during which any document or fee must reach a national Office or intergovernmental organization falls on a day on which such Office or organization is not open to the public for the purposes of the transaction of official business, or on which ordinary mail is not delivered in the locality in which such Office or organization is situated, the period shall expire on the next subsequent day onwhich neither of the said two circumstances exists.

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80.6 Date of Documents (a) Where a period starts on the day of the date of a document

or letter emanating from a national Office or intergovernmen- tal organization, any interested party may prove that the said document or letter was mailed on a day later than the date it bears, in which case the date of actual mailing shall, for the purposes of computing the period, be considered to be the date on which the period starts. Irrespective of the date on which such a document or letter was mailed, if the applicant offers to the national Office or intergovernmental organization evi- dence which satisfies the national Office or intergovernmen- tal organization that the document or letter was received more than seven days after the date it bears, the national Office or intergovernmental organization shall treat the period starting from the date of the document or letter as expiring later by an additional number of days which is equal to the number of days which the document or letter was received later than seven days after the date it bears.

(b) [Deleted]

80.7 End of Working Day (a) A period expiring on a given day shall expire at themoment the

national Office or intergovernmental organization with which the document must be filed or to which the fee must be paid closes for business on that day.

(b) Any Office or organization may depart from the provisions of paragraph (a) up to midnight on the relevant day.

Rule 81—Modification of Time Limits Fixed in the Treaty

81.1 Proposal (a) Any Contracting State or the Director General may propose a

modification under Article 47(2). (b) Proposals made by a Contracting State shall be presented to

the Director General.

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81.2 Decision by the Assembly (a) When the proposal is made to the Assembly, its text shall be

sent by the Director General to all Contracting States at least two months in advance of that session of the Assembly whose agenda includes the proposal.

(b) During the discussion of the proposal in the Assembly, the proposal may be amended or consequential amendments pro- posed.

(c) The proposal shall be considered adopted if none of the Con- tracting States present at the time of voting votes against the proposal.

81.3 Voting by Correspondence (a) When voting by correspondence is chosen, the proposal shall

be included in a written communication from the Director General to the Contracting States, inviting them to express their vote in writing.

(b) The invitation shall fix the time limit within which the reply containing the vote expressed in writing must reach the Inter- national Bureau. That time limit shall not be less than three months from the date of the invitation.

(c) Replies must be either positive or negative. Proposals for amendments or mere observations shall not be regarded as votes.

(d) The proposal shall be considered adopted if none of the Con- tracting States opposes the amendment and if at least one-half of the Contracting States express either approval or indiffer- ence or abstention.

Rule 82—Irregularities in the Mail Service 82.1 Delay or Loss in Mail (a) Any interested party may offer evidence that he has mailed the

document or letter five days prior to the expiration of the time limit. Except in cases where surface mail normally arrives at its destination within two days of mailing, or where no airmail

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service is available, such evidence may be offered only if the mailing was by airmail. In any case, evidence may be offered only if the mailing was by mail registered by the postal author- ities.

(b) If themailing, in accordancewith paragraph (a), of a document or letter is proven to the satisfaction of the national Office or intergovernmental organization which is the addressee, delay in arrival shall be excused, or, if the document or letter is lost in the mail, substitution for it of a new copy shall be permit- ted, provided that the interested party proves to the satisfaction of the said Office or organization that the document or letter offered in substitution is identical with the document or letter lost.

(c) In the cases provided for in paragraph (b), evidence of mail- ing within the prescribed time limit, and, where the document or letter was lost, the substitute document or letter as well as the evidence concerning its identity with the document or letter lost shall be submitted within one month after the date on which the interested party noticed—or with due diligence should have noticed—the delay or the loss, and in no case later than six months after the expiration of the time limit applicable in the given case.

(d) Any national Office or intergovernmental organization which has notified the International Bureau that it will do so shall, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used to mail a document or letter, apply the provisions of para- graphs (a) to (c) as if the delivery service was a postal author- ity. In such a case, the last sentence of paragraph (a) shall not apply but evidence may be offered only if details of the mail- ing were recorded by the delivery service at the time of mail- ing. The notification may contain an indication that it applies only to mailings using specified delivery services or delivery services which satisfy specified criteria. The International Bu- reau shall publish the information so notified in the Gazette.

(e) Any national Office or intergovernmental organization may proceed under paragraph (d):

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(i) even if, where applicable, the delivery service used was not one of those specified, or did not satisfy the criteria specified, in the relevant notification under paragraph (d), or

(ii) even if that Office or organization has not sent to the International Bureau a notification under paragraph (d).

82.2 Interruption in the Mail Service (a) Any interested party may offer evidence that on any of the

10 days preceding the day of expiration of the time limit the postal service was interrupted on account of war, revolution, civil disorder, strike, natural calamity, or other like reason, in the locality where the interested party resides or has his place of business or is staying.

(b) If such circumstances are proven to the satisfaction of the na- tional Office or intergovernmental organization which is the addressee, delay in arrival shall be excused, provided that the interested party proves to the satisfaction of the said Office or organization that he effected the mailing within five days after the mail service was resumed. The provisions of Rule 82.1(c) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Rule 82bis—Excuse by the Designated or Elected State of Delays in Meeting Certain

Time Limits 82bis.1 Meaning of “Time Limit” in Article 48(2) The reference to “any time limit” in Article 48(2) shall be construed as comprising a reference: (i) to any time limit fixed in the Treaty or these Regulations; (ii) to any time limit fixed by the receivingOffice, the International

Searching Authority, the International Preliminary Examining Authority or the International Bureau or applicable by the re- ceiving Office under its national law;

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(iii) to any time limit fixed by, or in the national law applicable by, the designated or elected Office, for the performance of any act by the applicant before that Office.

82bis.2 Reinstatement of Rights and Other Provisions to Which Article 48(2) Applies

The provisions of the national law which is referred to in Article 48(2) concerning the excusing, by the designated or elected State, of any delay in meeting any time limit are those provisions which provide for reinstatement of rights, restoration, restitutio in integrum or further processing in spite of non-compliance with a time limit, and any other provision providing for the extension of time limits or for excusing delays in meeting time limits.

Rule 82ter—Rectification of Errors Made by the Receiving Office or by the International

Bureau 82ter.1 Errors Concerning the International Filing Date and

the Priority Claim If the applicant proves to the satisfaction of any designated or elected Office that the international filing date is incorrect due to an error made by the receiving Office or that the declaration made under Art- icle 8(1) has been erroneously cancelled or corrected by the receiving Office or the International Bureau, and if the error is an error such that, had it been made by the designated or elected Office itself, that Office would rectify it under the national law or national practice, the said Office shall rectify the error and shall treat the international application as if it had been accorded the rectified international filing date or as if the declaration under Article 8(1) had not been cancelled or corrected, as the case may be.

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Rule 83—Right to Practice before International Authorities

83.1 Proof of Right The International Bureau, the competent International Searching Au- thority, and the competent International Preliminary Examining Au- thority, may require the production of proof of the right to practice referred to in Article 49.

83.2 Information (a) The national Office or the intergovernmental organization

which the interested person is alleged to have a right to practice before shall, upon request, inform the International Bureau, the competent International Searching Authority, or the competent International Preliminary Examining Author- ity, whether such person has the right to practice before it.

(b) Such information shall be binding upon the International Bureau, the International Searching Authority, or the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority, as the case may be.

Part E Rules Concerning Chapter V of the Treaty

Rule 84—Expenses of Delegations 84.1 Expenses Borne by Governments The expenses of each Delegation participating in any organ estab- lished by or under the Treaty shall be borne by the Government which has appointed it.

Rule 85—Absence of Quorum in the Assembly

85.1 Voting by Correspondence In the case provided for in Article 53(5)(b), the International Bureau shall communicate the decisions of the Assembly (other than those concerning the Assembly’s own procedure) to the Contracting States

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which were not represented and shall invite them to express in writ- ing their vote or abstention within a period of three months from the date of the communication. If, at the expiration of that period, the number of Contracting States having thus expressed their vote or ab- stention attains the number of Contracting States which was lacking for attaining the quorum in the session itself, such decisions shall take effect provided that at the same time the required majority still obtains.

Rule 86—The Gazette 86.1 Contents The Gazette referred to in Article 55(4) shall contain: (i) for each published international application, data specified by

the Administrative Instructions taken from the front page of the pamphlet published under Rule 48, the drawing (if any) appearing on the said front page, and the abstract,

(ii) the schedule of all fees payable to the receiving Offices, the International Bureau, and the International Searching and Pre- liminary Examining Authorities,

(iii) notices the publication of which is required under the Treaty or these Regulations,

(iv) information, if and to the extent furnished to the International Bureau by the designated or elected Offices, on the question whether the requirements provided for in Articles 22 or 39 have been complied with in respect of the international appli- cations designating or electing the Office concerned,

(v) any other useful information prescribed by the Administrative Instructions, provided access to such information is not pro- hibited under the Treaty or these Regulations.

86.2 Languages (a) The Gazette shall be published in an English-language edition

and a French-language edition. It shall also be published in editions in any other language, provided the cost of publication is assured through sales or subventions.

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(b) The Assembly may order the publication of the Gazette in lan- guages other than those referred to in paragraph (a).

86.3 Frequency The frequency of publication of the Gazette shall be determined by the Director General.

86.4 Sale The subscription and other sale prices of the Gazette shall be deter- mined by the Director General.

86.5 Title The title of the Gazette shall be determined by the Director General.

86.6 Further Details Further details concerning the Gazette may be provided for in the Administrative Instructions.

Rule 87—Copies of Publications 87.1 International Searching and Preliminary Examining

Authorities Any International Searching or Preliminary Examining Authority shall have the right to receive, free of charge, two copies of every published international application, of the Gazette, and of any other publication of general interest published by the International Bureau in connection with the Treaty or these Regulations.

87.2 National Offices (a) Any national Office shall have the right to receive, free of

charge, one copy of every published international application, of the Gazette, and of any other publication of general interest published by the International Bureau in connection with the Treaty or these Regulations.

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(b) The publications referred to in paragraph (a) shall be sent on special request. If any publication is available in more than one language, the request shall specify the language or lan- guages in which it is desired.

Rule 88—Amendment of the Regulations 88.1 Requirement of Unanimity Amendment of the following provisions of these Regulations shall require that no State having the right to vote in the Assembly vote against the proposed amendment: (i) Rule 14.1 (Transmittal Fee), (ii) [Deleted] (iii) Rule 22.3 (Time Limit under Article 12(3)), (iv) Rule 33 (Relevant Prior Art for International Search), (v) Rule 64 (Prior Art for International Preliminary Examination), (vi) Rule 81 (Modification of Time Limits Fixed in the Treaty), (vii) the present paragraph (i.e., Rule 88.1).

88.2 [Deleted]

88.3 Requirement of Absence of Opposition by Certain States Amendment of the following provisions of these Regulations shall require that no State referred to in Article 58(3)(a)(ii) and having the right to vote in the Assembly vote against the proposed amendment: (i) Rule 34 (Minimum Documentation), (ii) Rule 39 (Subject Matter under Article 17(2)(a)(i)), (iii) Rule 67 (Subject Matter under Article 34(4)(a)(i)), (iv) the present paragraph (i.e., Rule 88.3).

88.4 Procedure Any proposal for amending a provision referred to in Rules 88.1 or 88.3 shall, if the proposal is to be decided upon in the Assembly, be communicated to all Contracting States at least two months prior to the opening of that session of the Assembly which is called upon to make a decision on the proposal.

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Rule 89—Administrative Instructions 89.1 Scope (a) The Administrative Instructions shall contain provisions:

(i) concerning matters in respect of which these Regula- tions expressly refer to such Instructions,

(ii) concerning any details in respect of the application of these Regulations.

(b) The Administrative Instructions shall not be in conflict with the provisions of the Treaty, these Regulations, or any agree- ment concluded by the International Bureau with an Inter- national Searching Authority, or an International Preliminary Examining Authority.

89.2 Source (a) The Administrative Instructions shall be drawn up and pro-

mulgated by the Director General after consultation with the receiving Offices and the International Searching and Prelim- inary Examining Authorities.

(b) They may be modified by the Director General after consult- ation with the Offices or Authorities which have a direct inter- est in the proposed modification.

(c) The Assembly may invite the Director General to modify the Administrative Instructions, and the Director General shall proceed accordingly.

89.3 Publication and Entry into Force (a) The Administrative Instructions and any modification thereof

shall be published in the Gazette. (b) Each publication shall specify the date on which the published

provisions come into effect. The datesmay be different for dif- ferent provisions, provided that no provision may be declared effective prior to its publication in the Gazette.

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Part F Rules Concerning Several Chapters of the

Treaty Rule 90—Agents and Common

Representatives 90.1 Appointment as Agent (a) A person having the right to practice before the national Of-

fice with which the international application is filed may be appointed by the applicant as his agent to represent him before that Office acting as the receiving Office and before the Inter- national Bureau, the International Searching Authority and the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

(b) A person having the right to practice before the national Of- fice or intergovernmental organization which acts as the Inter- national Searching Authority may be appointed by the appli- cant as his agent to represent him specifically before that Au- thority.

(c) A person having the right to practice before the national Of- fice or intergovernmental organization which acts as the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority may be appointed by the applicant as his agent to represent him specifically be- fore that Authority.

(d) An agent appointed under paragraph (a) may, unless otherwise indicated in the document appointing him, appoint one ormore sub-agents to represent the applicant as the applicant’s agent: (i) before the receiving Office, the International Bureau,

the International Searching Authority and the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority, provided that any person so appointed as sub-agent has the right to practice before the national Office with which the international application was filed;

(ii) specifically before the International Searching Author- ity or the International Preliminary Examining Author- ity, provided that any person so appointed as sub-agent has the right to practice before the national Office or intergovernmental organization which acts as the Inter- national Searching Authority or International Prelimin- ary Examining Authority, as the case may be.

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90.2 Common Representative (a) Where there are two or more applicants and the applicants

have not appointed an agent representing all of them (a “com- mon agent”) under Rule 90.1(a), one of the applicants who is entitled to file an international application according to Article 9 may be appointed by the other applicants as their common representative.

(b) Where there are two or more applicants and all the applicants have not appointed a common agent under Rule 90.1(a) or a common representative under paragraph (a), the applicant first named in the request who is entitled according to Rule 19.1 to file an international application with the receiving Office shall be considered to be the common representative of all the applicants.

90.3 Effects of Acts by or in Relation to Agents and Common Representatives

(a) Any act by or in relation to an agent shall have the effect of an act by or in relation to the applicant or applicants concerned.

(b) If there are two or more agents representing the same applicant or applicants, any act by or in relation to any of those agents shall have the effect of an act by or in relation to the said ap- plicant or applicants.

(c) Subject to Rule 90bis.5(a), second sentence, any act by or in relation to a common representative or his agent shall have the effect of an act by or in relation to all the applicants.

90.4 Manner of Appointment of Agent or Common Representative

(a) The appointment of an agent shall be effected by the appli- cant signing the request, the demand or a separate power of attorney. Where there are two or more applicants, the appoint- ment of a common agent or common representative shall be effected by each applicant signing, at his choice, the request, the demand or a separate power of attorney.

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(b) Subject to Rule 90.5, a separate power of attorney shall be submitted to either the receiving Office or the International Bureau, provided that, where a power of attorney appoints an agent under Rule 90.1(b), (c) or (d)(ii), it shall be submitted to the International Searching Authority or the International Preliminary Examining Authority, as the case may be.

(c) If the separate power of attorney is not signed, or if the required separate power of attorney is missing, or if the indication of the name or address of the appointed person does not comply with Rule 4.4, the power of attorney shall be considered non- existent unless the defect is corrected.

90.5 General Power of Attorney (a) Appointment of an agent in relation to a particular inter-

national application may be effected by referring in the request, the demand or a separate notice to an existing separ- ate power of attorney appointing that agent to represent the applicant in relation to any international application which may be filed by that applicant (i.e., a “general power of attorney”), provided that: (i) the general power of attorney has been deposited in ac-

cordance with paragraph (b), and (ii) a copy of it is attached to the request, the demand or the

separate notice, as the case may be; that copy need not be signed.

(b) The general power of attorney shall be deposited with the re- ceiving Office, provided that, where it appoints an agent under Rule 90.1(b), (c) or (d)(ii), it shall be deposited with the Inter- national Searching Authority or the International Preliminary Examining Authority, as the case may be.

90.6 Revocation and Renunciation (a) Any appointment of an agent or common representative may

be revoked by the persons who made the appointment or by their successors in title, in which case any appointment of a sub-agent under Rule 90.1(d) by that agent shall also be con-

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sidered as revoked. Any appointment of a sub-agent under Rule 90.1(d) may also be revoked by the applicant concerned.

(b) The appointment of an agent under Rule 90.1(a) shall, unless otherwise indicated, have the effect of revoking any earlier appointment of an agent made under that Rule.

(c) The appointment of a common representative shall, unless otherwise indicated, have the effect of revoking any earlier ap- pointment of a common representative.

(e) Rule 90.4(b) and (c) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to a docu- ment containing a revocation or renunciation under this Rule.

Rule 90bis—Withdrawals 90bis.1 Withdrawal of the International Application (a) The applicant may withdraw the international application at

any time prior to the expiration of 20 months from the priority date or, where Article 39(1) applies, prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date.

(b) Withdrawal shall be effective on receipt of a notice addressed by the applicant, at his option, to the International Bureau, to the receiving Office or, where Article 39(1) applies, to the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

(c) No international publication of the international application shall be effected if the notice of withdrawal sent by the ap- plicant or transmitted by the receiving Office or the Inter- national Preliminary Examining Authority reaches the Inter- national Bureau before the technical preparations for inter- national publication have been completed.

90bis.2 Withdrawal of Designations (a) The applicant may withdraw the designation of any designated

State at any time prior to the expiration of 20 months from the priority date or, where Article 39(1) applies in respect of that State, prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date. Withdrawal of the designation of a State which has been

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elected shall entail withdrawal of the corresponding election under Rule 90bis.4.

(b) Where a State has been designated for the purpose of obtaining both a national patent and a regional patent, withdrawal of the designation for designation of that State shall be taken to mean withdrawal of only the designation for the purpose of obtaining a national patent, except where otherwise indicated.

(c) Withdrawal of the designations of all designated States shall be treated as withdrawal of the international application under Rule 90bis.1

(d) Withdrawal shall be effective on receipt of a notice addressed by the applicant, at his option, to the International Bureau, to the receiving Office or, where Article 39(1) applies, to the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

(e) No international publication of the designation shall be ef- fected if the notice of withdrawal sent by the applicant or trans- mitted by the receiving Office or the International Preliminary Examining Authority reaches the International Bureau before the technical preparations for international publication have been completed.

90bis.3 Withdrawal of Priority Claims (a) The applicant may withdraw a priority claim, made in the

international application under Article 8(1), at any time prior to the expiration of 20 months from the priority date or, where Article 39(1) applies, 30 months from the priority date.

(b) Where the international application contains more than one priority claim, the applicant may exercise the right provided for in paragraph (a) in respect of one or more or all of the priority claims.

(c) Withdrawal shall be effective on receipt of a notice addressed by the applicant, at his option, to the International Bureau, to the receiving Office or, where Article 39(1) applies, to the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

(d) Where the withdrawal of a priority claim causes a change in the priority date, any time limit which is computed from the

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original priority date and which has not already expired shall, subject to paragraph (e), be computed from the priority date resulting from that change.

(e) In the case of the time limit referred to in Article 21(2)(a), the International Bureau may nevertheless proceed with the international publication on the basis of the said time limit as computed from the original priority date if the notice of with- drawal sent by the applicant or transmitted by the receiving Office or the International Preliminary Examining Authority reaches the International Bureau after the completion of the technical preparations for international publication.

90bis.4 Withdrawal of the Demand or of Elections (a) The applicant may withdraw the demand or any or all elec-

tions at any time prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date.

(b) Withdrawal shall be effective upon receipt of a notice ad- dressed by the applicant to the International Bureau.

(c) If the notice of withdrawal is submitted by the applicant to the International Preliminary Examining Authority, that Author- ity shall mark the date of receipt on the notice and transmit it promptly to the International Bureau. The notice shall be con- sidered to have been submitted to the International Bureau on the date marked.

90bis.5 Signature (a) Any notice of withdrawal referred to in Rules 90bis.1 to

90bis.4 shall, subject to paragraph (b), be signed by the applicant. Where one of the applicants is considered to be the common representative under Rule 90.2(b), such notice shall, subject to paragraph (b), require the signature of all the applicants.

(b) Where two or more applicants file an international application which designates a State whose national law requires that na- tional applications be filed by the inventor and where an appli- cant for that designated State who is an inventor could not be

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found or reached after diligent effort, a notice of withdrawal referred to in Rules 90bis.1 to 90bis.4 need not be signed by that applicant (“the applicant concerned”) if it is signed by at least one applicant and (i) a statement is furnished explaining, to the satisfaction

of the receiving Office, the International Bureau or the International Preliminary Examining Authority, as the case may be, the lack of signature of the applicant con- cerned, or

(ii) in the case of a notice of withdrawal referred to in Rule 90bis.1(b), 90bis.2(d), or 90bis.3(c), the applicant con- cerned did not sign the request but the requirements of Rule 4.15(b) were complied with, or

(iii) in the case of a notice of withdrawal referred to in Rule 90bis.4(b), the applicant concerned did not sign the de- mand but the requirements of Rule 53.8(b) were com- plied with, or did not sign the later election concerned but the requirements of Rule 56.1(c) were complied with.

90bis.6 Effect of Withdrawal (a) Withdrawal under Rule 90bis of the international application,

any designation, any priority claim, the demand or any election shall have no effect in any designated or elected Office where the processing or examination of the international application has already started under Article 23(2) or Article 40(2).

(b) Where the international application is withdrawn under Rule 90bis.1, the international processing of the international appli- cation shall be discontinued.

(c) Where the demand or all elections are withdrawn under Rule 90bis.4, the processing of the international application by the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall be dis- continued.

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90bis.7 Faculty under Article 37(4)(b) (a) Any Contracting State whose national law provides for what

is described in the second part of Article 37(4)(b) shall notify the International Bureau in writing.

(b) The notification referred to in paragraph (a) shall be promptly published by the International Bureau in the Gazette, and shall have effect in respect of international applications filed more than one month after the date of such publication.

Rule 91—Obvious Errors in Documents 91.1 Rectification (a) Subject to paragraphs (b) to (gquater), obvious errors in the

international application or other papers submitted by the ap- plicant may be rectified.

(b) Errors which are due to the fact that something other than what was obviously intended was written in the international appli- cation or other paper shall be regarded as obvious errors. The rectification itself shall be obvious in the sense that anyone would immediately realize that nothing else could have been intended than what is offered as rectification.

(c) Omissions of entire elements or sheets of the international application, even if clearly resulting from inattention, at the stage, for example, of copying or assembling sheets, shall not be rectifiable.

(d) Rectification may be made on the request of the applicant. The authority having discovered what appears to be an obvious error may invite the applicant to present a request for rectifica- tion as provided in paragraphs (e) to (gquater). Rule 26.4(a) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the manner in which rectifica- tions shall be requested.

(e) No rectification shall be made except with the express author- ization: (i) of the receiving Office if the error is in the request,

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(ii) of the International Searching Authority if the error is in any part of the international application other than the request or in any paper submitted to that Authority,

(iii) of the International Preliminary Examining Authority if the error is in any part of the international application other than the request or in any paper submitted to that Authority, and

(iv) of the International Bureau if the error is in any paper, other than the international application or amendments or corrections to that application, submitted to the Inter- national Bureau.

(f) Any authority which authorizes or refuses any rectification shall promptly notify the applicant of the authorization or re- fusal and, in the case of refusal, of the reasons therefor. The authority which authorizes a rectification shall promptly notify the International Bureau accordingly. Where the authorization of the rectification was refused, the International Bureau shall, upon request made by the applicant prior to the time relevant under paragraph (gbis), (gter) or (gquater) and subject to the payment of a special fee whose amount shall be fixed in the Administrative Instructions, publish the request for rectifica- tion together with the international application. A copy of the request for rectification shall be included in the communica- tion under Article 20 where a copy of the pamphlet is not used for that communication or where the international application is not published by virtue of Article 64(3).

(g) The authorization for rectification referred to in paragraph (e) shall, subject to paragraphs (gbis), (gter) and (gquater), be effective: (i) where it is given by the receiving Office or by the Inter-

national Searching Authority, if its notification to the International Bureau reaches that Bureau before the ex- piration of 17 months from the priority date;

(ii) where it is given by the International Preliminary Exam- ining Authority, if it is given before the establishment of the international preliminary examination report;

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(iii) where it is given by the International Bureau, if it is given before the expiration of 17 months from the pri- ority date.

(gbis) If the notification made under paragraph (g)(i) reaches the International Bureau, or if the rectification made under para- graph (g)(iii) is authorized by the International Bureau, after the expiration of 17 months from the priority date but before the technical preparations for international publication have been completed, the authorization shall be effective and the rectification shall be incorporated in the said publication.

(gter) Where the applicant has asked the International Bureau to publish his international application before the expiration of 18 months from the priority date, any notification made under paragraph (g)(i) must reach, and any rectification made under paragraph (g)(iii) must be authorized by, the International Bu- reau, in order for the authorization to be effective, not later than at the time of the completion of the technical preparations for international publication.

(gquater) Where the international application is not published by virtue of Article 64(3), any notification made under paragraph (g)(i) must reach, and any rectification made under paragraph (g)(iii) must be authorized by, the International Bureau, in order for the authorization to be effective, not later than at the time of the communication of the international application under Article 20.

Rule 92—Correspondence 92.1 Need for Letter and for Signature (a) Any paper submitted by the applicant in the course of the inter-

national procedure provided for in the Treaty and these Regu- lations, other than the international application itself, shall, if not itself in the form of a letter, be accompanied by a let- ter identifying the international application to which it relates. The letter shall be signed by the applicant.

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(b) If the requirements provided for in paragraph (a) are not com- plied with, the applicant shall be informed as to the non-com- pliance and invited to remedy the omission within a time limit fixed in the invitation. The time limit so fixed shall be reason- able in the circumstances; even where the time limit so fixed expires later than the time limit applying to the furnishing of the paper (or even if the latter time limit has already expired), it shall not be less than 10 days and not more than one month from the mailing of the invitation. If the omission is remedied within the time limit fixed in the invitation, the omission shall be disregarded; otherwise, the applicant shall be informed that the paper has been disregarded.

(c) Where non-compliance with the requirements provided for in paragraph (a) has been overlooked and the paper taken into ac- count in the international procedure, the non-compliance shall be disregarded.

92.2 Languages (a) Subject to Rules 55.1 and 66.9 and to paragraph (b) of this

Rule, any letter or document submitted by the applicant to the International Searching Authority or the International Prelim- inary ExaminingAuthority shall be in the same language as the international application to which it relates. Where the inter- national application has been translated under Rule 12.1(c), the language of such translation shall be used.

(b) Any letter from the applicant to the International Searching Authority or the International Preliminary Examining Author- ity may be in a language other than that of the international application, provided the said Authority authorizes the use of such language.

be in English or French. (e) Any letter of notification from the International Bureau to

the applicant or to any national Office shall be in English or French.

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Part F—continued Rule 92—continued

92.3 Mailings by National Offices and Intergovernmental Organizations

Any document or letter emanating from or transmitted by a national Office or an intergovernmental organization and constituting an event from the date of which any time limit under the Treaty or these Regu- lations commences to run shall be sent by air mail, provided that sur- face mail may be used instead of air mail in cases where surface mail normally arrives at its destination within two days from mailing or where air mail service is not available.

92.4 Use of Telegraph, Teleprinter, Facsimile Machine, Etc. (a) A document making up the international application, and any

later document or correspondence relating thereto, may, not- withstanding the provisions of Rules 11.14 and 92.1(a), but subject to paragraph (h), be transmitted, to the extent feasi- ble, by telegraph, teleprinter, facsimile machine or other like means of communication producing a printed or written docu- ment.

(b) A signature appearing on a document transmitted by facsimile machine shall be recognized for the purposes of the Treaty and these Regulations as a proper signature.

(c) Where the applicant has attempted to transmit a document by any of the means referred to in paragraph (a) but part or all of the received document is illegible or part of the document is not received, the document shall be treated as not having been received to the extent that the received document is illegible or that the attempted transmission failed. The national Office or intergovernmental organization shall promptly notify the applicant accordingly.

(d) Any national Office or intergovernmental organizationmay re- quire that the original of any document transmitted by any of the means referred to in paragraph (a) and an accompanying letter identifying that earlier transmission be furnished within 14 days from the date of the transmission, provided that such requirement has been notified to the International Bureau and the International Bureau has published information thereon in

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the Gazette. The notification shall specify whether such re- quirement concerns all or only certain kinds of documents.

(e) Where the applicant fails to furnish the original of a document as required under paragraph (d), the national Office or inter- governmental organization concerned may, depending on the kind of document transmitted and having regard to Rules 11 and 26.3, (i) waive the requirement under paragraph (d), or (ii) invite the applicant to furnish, within a time limit which

shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be fixed in the invitation, the original of the document transmitted,

provided that, where the document transmitted contains de- fects, or shows that the original contains defects, in respect of which the national Office or intergovernmental organization may issue an invitation to correct, that Office or organization may issue such an invitation in addition to, or instead of, pro- ceeding under item (i) or (ii).

(f) Where the furnishing of the original of a document is not re- quired under paragraph (d) but the national Office or intergov- ernmental organization considers it necessary to receive the original of the said document, it may issue an invitation as provided for under paragraph (e)(ii).

(g) If the applicant fails to comply with an invitation under para- graph (e)(ii) or (f): (i) where the document concerned is the international ap-

plication, the latter shall be considered withdrawn and the receiving Office shall so declare;

(ii) where the document concerned is a document subse- quent to the international application, the document shall be considered as not having been submitted.

(h) No national Office or intergovernmental organization shall be obliged to receive any document submitted by a means re- ferred to in paragraph (a) unless it has notified the International Bureau that it is prepared to receive such a document by that means and the International Bureau has published information thereon in the Gazette.

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Part F—continued

Rule 92bis—Recording of Changes in Certain Indications in the Request or the

Demand 92bis.1 Recording of Changes by the International Bureau (a) The International Bureau shall, on the request of the applicant

or the receiving Office, record changes in the following indi- cations appearing in the request or demand: (i) person, name, residence, nationality or address of the

applicant, (ii) person, name or address of the agent, the common rep-

resentative or the inventor. (b) The International Bureau shall not record the requested change

if the request for recording is received by it after the expiration: (i) of the time limit referred to in Article 22(1), where Art-

icle 39(1) is not applicable with respect to any Contract- ing State;

(ii) of the time limit referred to in Article 39(1)(a), where Article 39(1) is applicable with respect to at least one Contracting State.

Rule 93—Keeping of Records and Files 93.1 The Receiving Office Each receiving Office shall keep the records relating to each inter- national application or purported international application, including the home copy, for at least 10 years from the international filing date or, where no international filing date is accorded, from the date of receipt.

93.2 The International Bureau (a) The International Bureau shall keep the file, including the

record copy, of any international application for at least 30 years from the date of receipt of the record copy.

(b) The basic records of the International Bureau shall be kept indefinitely.

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Part F—continued Rule 93—continued

93.3 The International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities

Each International Searching Authority and each International Pre- liminary ExaminingAuthority shall keep the file of each international application it receives for at least 10 years from the international fil- ing date.

93.4 Reproductions For the purposes of this Rule, records, copies and files shall also mean photograhic reproductions of records, copies, and files, what- ever may be the form of such reproductions (microfilms or other).

Rule 94—Furnishing of Copies by the International Bureau and the International

Preliminary Examining Authority 94.1 Obligation To Furnish At the request of the applicant or any person authorized by the ap- plicant, the International Bureau and the International Preliminary Examining Authority shall furnish, subject to reimbursement of the cost of the service, copies of any document contained in the file of the applicant’s international application or purported international appli- cation.

Rule 95—Availability of Translations 95.1 Furnishing of Copies of Translations (a) At the request of the International Bureau, any designated or

elected Office shall provide it with a copy of the translation of the international application furnished by the applicant to that Office.

(b) The International Bureau may, upon request and subject to re- imbursement of the cost, furnish to any person copies of the translations received under paragraph (a).

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Part F—continued

Rule 96—The Schedule of Fees 96.1 Schedule of Fees Annexed to Regulations The amounts of the fees referred to in Rules 15 and 57 shall be ex- pressed in Swiss currency. They shall be specified in the Schedule of Fees which is annexed to these Regulations and forms an integral part thereof. Fees Amounts 1. Basic Fee:

(Rule 15.2(a)) (a) if the international applica- 762 Swiss francs

tion contains not more than 30 sheets

(b) if the international applica- 762 Swiss francs plus 15 Swiss tion contains more than 30 francs for each sheet in ex- sheets cess of 30 sheets

2. Designation Fee: (Rule 15.2(a)) (a) for designations made under 185 Swiss francs per designation,

Rule 4.9(a) provided that any designation made under Rule 4.9(a) in excess of 10 shall not require the payment of a designation fee

(b) for designations made under 185 Swiss francs per designation Rule 4.9(b) and confirmed under Rule 4.9(c)

3. Confirmation Fee: 50% of the sum of the designation (Rule 15.5(a)) fees payable under item 2(b)

4. Handling Fee: 233 Swiss francs. (Rule 57.2(a))

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Patents Amendment Act 1994

Public Act 1994 No 122 Date of assent 9 December 1994 Commencement see section 1(2)

1 Short Title and commencement (1)

(2)

This Act may be cited as the Patents Amendment Act 1994, and shall be read together with and deemed part of the Patents Act 1953 (hereinafter referred to as “the principal Act”). This Act shall come into force on a date to be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council; and 1 or more orders may be made bringing different provisions into force on dif- ferent dates. Section 1(2): this Act brought into force, on 1 January 1995, by the Patents Amendment Act Commencement Order 1994 (SR 1994/302).

17 (1)

Transitional provisions Nothing in this Act applies to or affects— (a) any proceedings for revocation of a patent commenced

before the commencement of this Act: (b) any proceedings for infringement of a patent com-

menced before the commencement of this Act: (c) any existing licences or applications for licences of right

under section 46 of the principal Act in existence or made before the commencement of this Act:

(d) any application for the extension of the term of a patent made before the commencement of this Act:

(e) any reference to the court under section 57 of the prin- cipal Act made before the commencement of this Act:

(f) subject to subsection (2), any application for a patent in respect of which a complete specification has been filed before the commencement of this Act,—

and any such proceedings, licences, applications, or references to the court shall continue as if this Act had not been enacted.

(2) Where, in respect of an application for a patent, a complete specification has not been advertised under section 20(2) of the principal Act before the commencement of this Act, the application must be determined in accordance with the princi-

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pal Act (as amended by this Act) if the applicant gives notice to the Commissioner in accordance with subsection (3) of this section, requesting that the application be determined in ac- cordance with the principal Act (as so amended).

(3) Any notice under subsection (2)— (a) must be in the prescribed form: (b) must be accompanied by the prescribed fee: (c) must be given on or before the date falling 6 months

after the commencement of this Act, or on or before the date of grant of the patent, whichever occurs first.

18 Term of existing patents (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the term of every patent that

has not expired before the commencement of this Act shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the principal Act, be deemed to be 20 years from the date of the patent.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) applies to a patent the term of which has, before the commencement of this Act, been extended by the court or the Commissioner for a period exceeding 20 years from the date of the patent.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) applies to a patent the term of which is extended by the court or the Commissioner for a period ex- ceeding 20 years from the date of the patent pursuant to an application for the extension of the term of the patent made before the commencement of this Act.

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Patents Act 2013

Public Act 2013 No 68 Date of assent 13 September 2013 Commencement see section 2

1 Title This Act is the Patents Act 2013.

2 Commencement (1) The following provisions of this Act come into force on the

day after the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent: (a) section 1 and this section: (b) Part 1 (which contains the preliminary provisions): (c) subpart 3 of Part 5 (which relates to the establishment

and operation of the administrative bodies under this Act):

(d) subpart 5 of Part 5 (which contains the regulation-mak- ing powers):

(e) section 266(1) (which appoints the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners of Patents under the Patents Act 1953 as the new Commissioner and Assistant Com- missioners).

(2) The rest of this Act comes into force on a date to be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council; and 1 or more orders may be made bringing different provisions into force on different dates.

(3) To the extent that it is not previously brought into force under subsection (1) or (2), the rest of this Act comes into force on the first anniversary of the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent.

Part 1 Preliminary

Purposes and overview 3 Purposes

The purposes of this Act are to—

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(a) provide an efficient and effective patent system that— (i) promotes innovation and economic growth while

providing an appropriate balance between the interests of inventors and patent owners and the interests of society as a whole; and

(ii) complies with New Zealand’s international obli- gations; and

(b) ensure that a patent is granted for an invention only in appropriate circumstances by— (i) establishing appropriate criteria for the granting

of a patent; and (ii) providing for procedures that allow the validity

of a patent to be tested; and (c) provide greater certainty for patent owners and the users

of patented inventions that patents will be valid after they are granted; and

(d) address Māori concerns relating to the granting of patents for inventions derived from indigenous plants and animals or from Māori traditional knowledge; and

(e) ensure that New Zealand’s patent legislation takes ac- count of developments in the patent systems of other countries.

Part 5 Administrative and miscellaneous

provisions Subpart 6—Repeals, amendments, validation, and saving and transitional

provisions Transitional provisions for patents and patent

applications 253 Outline of transitional provisions for patents (1) The general scheme and effect of the transitional provisions

for patents on and from the commencement of Part 3 of this Act (commencement) is as follows: (a) this Act applies to patents granted under the Patents Act

1953 (but patents retain their existing key dates, term, and grounds for revocation):

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(b) patent applications made under the Patents Act 1953 continue to be dealt with under that Act unless a com- plete specification is filed on or after commencement and, in this case, the complete specification may be filed only under this Act and this Act then applies to the patent application:

1953 if the applicant has fulfilled the applicant’s obligations under Article 22(1) or 39(1)(a) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty before commence- ment; and

(ii) must be dealt with under this Act if the applicant did not fulfil those obligations before that time:

(d) there are particular transitional provisions for post-dated applications and divisional applications.

(2) This section is a guide only to the general scheme and effect of the transitional provisions for patents.

254 Transitional provision for patents granted under Patents Act 1953

(1) This Act applies to a patent granted under the Patents Act 1953 as if it were granted under this Act.

(2) However,— (a) the patent retains its original date of filing of the patent

application, patent date (that is the date of filing of the complete specification), priority date or dates, date of the publication of the accepted complete specification, date that the patent was granted, and date that the next renewal fee was due under the Patents Act 1953; and

(b) the patent retains its existing term; and (c) the next renewal fee (after this section comes into force)

must be paid when due in accordance with the Patents Act 1953 but, after that due date, renewal fees become due in accordance with this Act; and

(d) on a re-examination of the patent application and the complete specification under section 95, the grounds that a person may specify in a request for re-examin- ation, and that the Commissioner may consider and re-

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port on, are the grounds in section 41(1) of the Patents Act 1953 (rather than the grounds in section 114 of this Act); and

(e) the Commissioner or the court may revoke the patent under this Act only on the grounds set out in section 41(1) or (3) of the Patents Act 1953, and those grounds are available as grounds of defence in a proceeding for the infringement of the patent (rather than the grounds in section 114 of this Act); and

(f) section 146 of this Act does not apply; and (g) in relation to any existing endorsement of the patent

under section 44 of the Patents Act 1953,— (i) the repeals in section 247 do not affect the en-

dorsement; and (ii) sections 44 and 45 of the Patents Act 1953 con-

tinue to apply to the patent for the purposes of the endorsement, as if sections 247 to 249 were not in force (and accordingly, renewal fees remain at one-half of the fees otherwise payable under this Act while the patent is so endorsed).

255 Patent applications made under Patents Act 1953 continue under that Act

commencement of Part 3 of this Act: (b) the bringing and completion of any application, request,

notice, or other proceeding relating to that application (whether commenced before or after the commence- ment of Part 3 of this Act).

(2) Any reference in any other enactment to a repealed provision of the Patents Act 1953 (or a revoked provision of any regu- lations made under it) continues to apply for the purposes of subsection (1) as if the reference had not been repealed or amended by this Act.

(3) Section 254 applies to any patent granted under the Patents Act 1953 in respect of that application.

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(4) This section is subject to sections 256, 257, and 259.

256 Patents Act 1953 ceases to apply to patent application if complete specification later filed

(1) Despite section 255,— (a) a complete specification may not be filed under the

Patents Act 1953 on or after the commencement of Part 3 of this Act (unless section 258 applies to the complete specification); and

(b) the complete specification must instead comply with, and be filed under, this Act; and

(c) on and from the date on which the complete specifica- tion is filed, this Act applies in respect of the patent ap- plication (and any application, request, notice, or other proceeding relating to it) as if it were made under this Act (including as to the priority date).

(2) Subsection (1) applies whether the complete specification is filed for one of the following reasons or any other reason: (a) only a provisional specification was filed before that

commencement; or (b) the original complete specification was directed

(whether before or after that commencement) to be treated as a provisional specification under section 9(4) of the Patents Act 1953.

(3) If a complete specification is provided for 2 or more patent ap- plications that are cognate or of which one is a modification of another, this section applies to those 2 or more patent applica- tions.

257 This Act applies if patent application under Patents Act 1953 is post-dated If a patent applicationmade under the Patents Act 1953 is post- dated to a date that is on or after the commencement of Part 3 of this Act, this Act applies to the patent application as if the patent application had been made under this Act.

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258 Patents Act 1953 applies to divisional applications dated before commencement

(1) This section applies to a fresh patent application that is made on or after the commencement of Part 3 of this Act (and any complete specification that is filed at the same time) if— (a) the fresh patent application is made for any part of

the subject matter of a patent application to which the Patents Act 1953 applies under section 255 or 259; and

(b) the fresh patent application is given a date before that commencement.

(2) The fresh patent application must be treated as a patent ap- plication made under the Patents Act 1953 (and section 255 applies to it) and the complete specification must be treated as having been filed on the date given to the fresh patent applica- tion.

259 Which Act applies to Treaty applications (1) The Patents Act 1953 (and the regulations, orders, directions,

and other matters made under it) continues to apply, as if sec- tions 247 to 249 were not in force, for the purposes of— (a) a Treaty application if the applicant fulfilled the appli-

cant’s obligations under Article 22(1) or 39(1)(a) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty before the commencement of Part 3 of this Act:

(b) the bringing and completion of any application, request, notice, or other proceeding relating to that application (whether commenced before or after the commence- ment of Part 3 of this Act).

(3) Section 254 applies to any patent granted under the Patents Act 1953 in respect of that application.

(4) However, this Act applies to a Treaty application if the appli- cant did not fulfil those obligations before the commencement of Part 3.

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Transitional provisions for other applications, notices, and requests

260 Transitional provision for other applications, notices, or requests

(1) The Patents Act 1953 (and the regulations, orders, directions, and other matters made under it) continues to apply, as if sec- tions 247 to 249 were not in force, for the purposes of com- pleting any application, notice, or request that was received by the Commissioner or the court, or completing any other pro- ceeding commenced, before the commencement of Part 3 of this Act.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a patent application, or an application, notice, request, or other proceeding relating to a patent application, to which any of sections 255 to 259 apply.

(3) If the Patents Act 1953 continues to apply to an application, notice, or request under this section, any reference in any other enactment to a repealed provision of the Patents Act 1953 (or a revoked provision of any regulations made under it) continues to apply for that purpose as if the reference had not been re- pealed or amended by this Act.

Transitional provision for matters in force on commencement

261 Transitional provision for orders, directions, and other matters in effect on transition to new law

(1) Any order, direction, or other matter made under a repealed provision of the Patents Act 1953, and that is in effect imme- diately before its transition takes effect under subsection (3), continues to have effect as if it had been made under the pro- vision of this Act— (a) that, with or without modification, replaces, or that cor-

responds to, the provision of the Patents Act 1953 under which it was made; and

(b) under which it could be made. (2) The order, direction, or other matter may be amended or

revoked as if it had been made under the provision of this Act that replaces, or that corresponds to, the provision of the Patents Act 1953 under which it was made.

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(3) The transition of an order, direction, or other matter takes ef- fect for the purposes of this section on the later of the follow- ing: (a) on the repeal of the provision under which the order,

direction, or other matter is made; or (b) if this Part provides, or regulations made under section

245 provide, that the order, direction, or other matter continues to apply after the repeal of the provision under which it is made, when it ceases to so continue to apply.

Transitional provision for patents register 262 Transitional provision for patents register

The register of patents kept under section 83 of the Patents Act 1953 continues to have effect as the patents register kept under section 194 of this Act.

Transitional provisions for offences and infringements

263 Transitional provision for offences and infringements The Patents Act 1953 (and the regulations, orders, directions, and other matters made under it) continues to apply (as if sec- tions 247 to 249 were not in force) for the purpose of— (a) investigating any offence or infringement committed

before the commencement of this section: (b) commencing or completing any proceeding for any of-

fence or infringement committed before the commence- ment of this section:

(c) imposing a penalty or granting any relief or other rem- edy for any offence or infringement committed before the commencement of this section.

Transitional provisions as to statutory references 264 Transitional provision as to statutory references to

corresponding matters If provided by the regulations, a specified reference to this Act (or to a defined term or other matter in this Act) includes a reference to the Patents Act 1953 (or to a corresponding or replaced specified term or matter under the Patents Act 1953)

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(for example, the regulations may specify that the reference in section 8(2) to another patent application includes, for the purpose of determining the prior art base under that section, a patent application made under the Patents Act 1953).

265 Transitional provision as to repealed references to Commissioner, journal, or Patent Office Any reference to the Commissioner, the Journal, or the Patent Office in a provision that is repealed or revoked but continues to apply to any matter under this subpart must be read as a reference to the Commissioner or journal under this Act or to IPONZ (as the case may be).

Transitional provisions for Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners

266 Transitional appointment of Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners

(1) The persons holding office as the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners under the Patents Act 1953 are treated as hav- ing been appointed as the Commissioner and Assistant Com- missioners under this Act on the commencement of this sub- section (and may hold both offices concurrently).

(2) The persons holding office as the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners under the Designs Act 1953 continue to hold those offices despite the repeal and substitution of sections 3 and 4 of that Act.

267 Transitional power for Commissioner (1) The Commissioner may, for the purpose of facilitating the

transition from the Patents Act 1953 to this Act, do any of the following in connection with a patent application, other ap- plication, notice, or request originally made under the Patents Act 1953 and to which this Act now applies: (a) exempt a person (on the terms and conditions (if any)

that the Commissioner thinks fit) from any statutory re- quirement that applied or now applies to the application, notice, or request:

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Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953

(b) give a person additional time to comply with a statutory requirement in respect of the application, notice, or re- quest that previously did not apply.

(2) In this section, statutory requirement means a requirement under the Patents Act 1953 or this Act, or under any regula- tions, orders, directions, or other matters made under either Act.

(3) This section expires on close of the day that is 3 years after the commencement of this section.

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Reprinted as at Notes Patents Act 1953 13 September 2014

Reprints notes

1 General This is a reprint of the Patents Act 1953 that incorporates all the amendments to that Act as at the date of the last amendment to it.

2 Legal status Reprints are presumed to correctly state, as at the date of the reprint, the law enacted by the principal enactment and by any amendments to that enactment. Section 18 of the Legislation Act 2012 provides that this reprint, published in electronic form, has the status of an official version under section 17 of that Act. A printed version of the reprint produced directly from this official electronic version also has official status.

3 Editorial and format changes Editorial and format changes to reprints are made using the powers under sections 24 to 26 of the Legislation Act 2012. See also http://www.pco.parliament.govt.nz/editorial-conventions/.

4 Amendments incorporated in this reprint Patents Act 2013 (2013 No 68): sections 247(1), 249 Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81): section 413 Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (2006 No 1): section 348 Patents Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 119) Patents Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 139) Patents Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 122) Patents Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 81) Regulations (Disallowance) Act 1989 (1989 No 143): section 11 Public Finance Act 1989 (1989 No 44): section 86(1) Trade and Industry Act Repeal Act 1988 (1988 No 156): section 4(1) Judicature Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 124): section 12 Crimes Act 1961 (1961 No 43): section 411(1) Summary Proceedings Act 1957 (1957 No 87): section 214(1) Patents Act Commencement Order 1954 (SR 1954/220)

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Reprinted as at 13 September 2014 Patents Act 1953 Notes

Wellington, New Zealand: Published under the authority of the New Zealand Government—2014

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Open PDF open_in_new

Loi de 1953 sur les brevets (Loi n° 64 du 26 novembre 1953, modifiée jusqu'à la loi n° 139 du 1996)

NZ051: Brevets, Loi (Codification), 26/11/1953 (1996), n° 64 (n° 139)

Loi de 1953 sur les brevets*

(nº 64 du 26 novembre 1953, modifiée en dernier lieu par la loi n° 139 de 1996)

TABLE DES MATIÈRES

Articles

Titre abrégé et entrée en vigueur............................................................................... 1er

Définitions.................................................................................................................... 2

Commissaire aux brevets ............................................................................................. 3

Commissaire adjoint aux brevets et autres fonctionnaires........................................... 4

Office des brevets......................................................................................................... 5

Fermeture de l’office des brevets sans préavis ......................................................... 5A

Impossibilité pour les fonctionnaires et agents de l’office des brevets d’acquérir un droit sur un brevet ou de rédiger des mémoires descriptifs de brevet ....................................................................................................................... 6

Demande, enquête, opposition, etc. Personnes habilitées à présenter une demande ................................................................................................................ 7

Demande ...................................................................................................................... 8

Mémoire descriptif de brevet complet et mémoire provisoire..................................... 9

Contenu du mémoire descriptif.................................................................................. 10

Date de priorité des revendications figurant dans un mémoire complet.................... 11

Examen de la demande .............................................................................................. 12

Recherche d’antériorité sur la base d’une publication antérieure .............................. 13

Recherche d’antériorité sur la base d’une revendication antérieure .......................... 14

Possibilité pour le commissaire d’exiger des renseignements concernant les demandes déposées à l’étranger ........................................................................... 15

* Titre abrégé anglais : The Patents Act 1953. Entrée en vigueur (de la dernière loi modificative) : 2 septembre 1996. Source : communication des autorités néo-zélandaises. Note : codification et traduction du Bureau international de l’OMPI.

Renvoi à un autre brevet en cas de risque de contrefaçon ......................................... 16

Rejet de la demande dans certains cas ....................................................................... 17

Dispositions supplémentaires concernant l’examen, etc............................................ 18

Délai de mise en état de la demande en vue de sa recevabilité.................................. 19

Acceptation et publication du mémoire descriptif complet ....................................... 20

Opposition à la délivrance du brevet.......................................................................... 21

Refus de brevet en l’absence d’opposition ................................................................ 22

Mention de l’inventeur dans le brevet........................................................................ 23

Substitution de déposants, etc. ................................................................................... 24

Dispositions concernant le maintien du secret de certaines inventions ..................... 25

Inventions ayant trait à l’énergie atomique................................................................ 26

Demande déposée en vertu du traité

Demande déposée en vertu du traité considérée comme demande accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif complet ..................................................... 26A

Description, revendications et dessins .....................................................................26B

Date de dépôt international ......................................................................................26C

Attribution de la date de dépôt international par le commissaire ........................... 26D

Modification de documents faisant partie d’un mémoire descriptif complet.....................................................................................................................26E

Nullité de la demande déposée en vertu du traité .................................................... 26F

Conditions d’examen de la demande déposée en vertu du traité ............................ 26G

Publication des demandes déposées en vertu du traité ........................................... 26H

Délivrance, effet et durée du brevet

Délivrance du brevet et apposition du sceau sur le brevet ......................................... 27

Modification d’un brevet délivré à un déposant décédé ............................................ 28

Étendue, effet et forme du brevet............................................................................... 29

Date et durée du brevet .............................................................................................. 30

[Abrogés] ..............................................................................................................31-33

Brevets d’addition ...................................................................................................... 34

Restauration des brevets et des demandes de brevet tombés en déchéance

Restauration des brevets tombés en déchéance.......................................................... 35

Restauration de la demande de brevet en cas de non-apposition du sceau ................ 36

Restauration de la demande de brevet en cas de rejet du mémoire descriptif complet....................................................................................................... 37

Modification du mémoire descriptif

Modification du mémoire descriptif avec l’autorisation du commissaire.................. 38

Modification du mémoire descriptif avec l’autorisation du tribunal ......................... 39

Dispositions complémentaires concernant la modification du mémoire descriptif..................................................................................................................... 40

Révocation du brevet et renonciation au brevet

Révocation du brevet par le tribunal .......................................................................... 41

Révocation du brevet par le commissaire .................................................................. 42

Renonciation au brevet............................................................................................... 43

Licences de droit

Mise sous le régime de la licence de droit ................................................................. 44

Annulation du régime de la licence de droit accordé en vertu de l’article 44 .................................................................................................................. 45

Licences obligatoires, etc.

Licence obligatoire..................................................................................................... 46

[Abrogé] ..................................................................................................................... 47

Exercice des pouvoirs prévus dans le cas des demandes visées à l’article 46 .................................................................................................................. 48

[Abrogés] ..............................................................................................................49-53

Dispositions complémentaires ................................................................................... 54

Utilisation d’inventions brevetées pour les services de la Couronne

Utilisation d’inventions brevetées pour les services de la Couronne......................... 55

Droits des tiers concernant l’utilisation par la Couronne........................................... 56

Litiges concernant l’utilisation par la Couronne........................................................ 57

Dispositions particulières concernant l’utilisation par la Couronne en cas d’état d’urgence.............................................................................. 58

Nature et étendue des droits prévus à l’article 55 ................................................... 58A

Devoir d’informer le titulaire du brevet ...................................................................58B

Rémunération à laquelle a droit le titulaire du brevet ..............................................58C

Antériorité, etc.

Publication antérieure ................................................................................................ 59

Communication, exposition ou exploitation industrielle antérieures......................... 60

Utilisation et publication après dépôt d’un mémoire descriptif provisoire ou d’une demande de brevet étrangère ...................................................................... 61

Date de priorité en cas d’obtention d’un brevet ......................................................... 62

Dispositions diverses concernant les droits afférents à des inventions

Copropriété des brevets.............................................................................................. 63

Pouvoir conféré au commissaire de donner des instructions aux copropriétaires............................................................................................................ 64

Litiges relatifs à des inventions de salariés ................................................................ 65

Nullité de certaines clauses restrictives ..................................................................... 66

Résiliation de certains contrats .................................................................................. 67

Actions en contrefaçon, etc.

Restrictions au recouvrement de dommages-intérêts pour contrefaçon .................... 68

Charge de la preuve en cas d’atteinte à un brevet de procédé ................................ 68A

Ordonnance de reddition de comptes dans une action en contrefaçon ...................... 69

Demande reconventionnelle en révocation dans une action en contrefaçon................................................................................................................. 70

Réparation en cas d’atteinte portée à un mémoire descriptif partiellement valable .................................................................................................. 71

Action en contrefaçon engagée par le titulaire d’une licence exclusive .................... 72

Attestation à l’effet que la validité d’un mémoire descriptif de brevet a été contestée ............................................................................................................ 73

Dédommagement pour menace abusive d’action en contrefaçon.............................. 74

Pouvoir conféré au tribunal de faire une déclaration de non-contrefaçon ................. 75

Possibilité pour le procureur général de comparaître dans les procès relatifs aux brevets ..................................................................................................... 76

Conventions internationales, etc.

Ordonnances en Conseil concernant les pays contractants ........................................ 77

Dispositions complémentaires concernant les demandes fondées sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant .................................................................................. 78

Dispositions particulières concernant les navires, les aéronefs et les véhicules terrestres ..................................................................................................... 79

Prorogation de délai pour certaines demandes fondées sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant..................................................................................................... 80

Protection des inventions communiquées en vertu d’accords internationaux............................................................................................................. 81

Règlements édictés en vertu de l’article 80 ou de l’article 81 ................................... 82

Registre des brevets, etc.

Registre des brevets ................................................................................................... 83

Enregistrement des cessions, etc. ............................................................................... 84

Prescription en matière de poursuites ........................................................................ 85

Possibilité pour le commissaire de dispenser, dans certains cas, de la présentation de l’homologation d’un testament ou des lettres de nomination d’un administrateur judiciaire ................................................................. 86

Rectification du registre des brevets par le tribunal................................................... 87

Correction des erreurs ................................................................................................ 88

Preuves des inscriptions, documents, etc. .................................................................. 89

Demandes de renseignements concernant les brevets ou demandes de brevet.......................................................................................................................... 90

Restrictions à la publication de mémoires descriptifs de brevets, etc........................ 91

Perte ou destruction de brevet .................................................................................... 92

Faculté pour le commissaire de proroger un délai ..................................................... 93

Dispositions additionnelles relatives à la prorogation de délai............................... 93A

Procédure devant le commissaire

Exercice des pouvoirs discrétionnaires du commissaire............................................ 94

Frais et dépens et constitution de garanties................................................................ 95

Moyens de preuve devant le commissaire ................................................................. 96

Recours devant la Haute Cour ................................................................................... 97

Recours devant la Cour d’appel ................................................................................. 98

Frais accordés au commissaire dans le cadre des procédures engagées devant le tribunal ....................................................................................................................... 99

Agents de brevets

Inscription des agents de brevets au registre............................................................ 100

Pouvoirs des agents de brevets................................................................................. 101

Radiation de l’inscription au registre des agents de brevets .................................... 102

Restrictions à l’exercice de la profession d’agent de brevets .................................. 103

Recouvrement des honoraires de l’agent de brevets ................................................ 104

Délits

Falsification de registre, etc. .................................................................................... 105

Allégations mensongères concernant les droits de brevet ....................................... 106

Protection des armoiries royales .............................................................................. 107

Délits commis par les sociétés ................................................................................. 108

[Abrogé] ................................................................................................................... 109

Dispositions diverses

Acheminement des avis, etc., par voie postale ........................................................ 110

Déclaration de personnes frappées d’incapacité ...................................................... 111

Bulletin, index, etc. .................................................................................................. 112

Règlement du tribunal.............................................................................................. 113

Règlements............................................................................................................... 114

Taxes ........................................................................................................................ 115

Rapport annuel du commissaire............................................................................... 116

Sauvegarde des prérogatives royales, etc................................................................. 117

Application de la loi aux îles Tokélaou ................................................................... 118

Abrogations et réserves ............................................................................................ 119

Annexes

Loi portant codification et modification de certains textes législatifs relatifs aux brevets

Titre abrégé et entrée en vigueur

Art. 1er. — 1) La présente loi peut être citée sous le titre «loi de 1953 sur les brevets».

2) La présente loi entrera en vigueur le jour fixé par proclamation du gouverneur général.

Définitions

Art. 2. — 1) Dans la présente loi, sauf incompatibilité avec le contexte, le terme «déposant» peut aussi s’entendre de la personne en faveur de qui des

instructions ont été données en vertu de l’article24de la présente loi, ainsi que de l’exécuteur testamentaire d’un déposant décédé;

le terme «article» peut aussi s’entendre de toute substance ou matière, et de tout appareil, mécanisme ou dispositif, qu’il soit fixé en terre ou non;

le terme «cessionnaire» peut aussi s’entendre de l’exécuteur testamentaire d’un cessionnaire décédé, et toute mention du cessionnaire d’une personne vise aussi le cessionnaire de l’exécuteur testamentaire ou du cessionnaire de cette personne;

on entend par «commissaire» le commissaire aux brevets;

l’expression «demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant» a le sens défini à l’alinéa 4) de l’article 7;

on entend par «pays contractant» un pays déclaré tel par ordonnance en Conseil prise en vertu de l’article77de la présente loi;

on entend par «tribunal» la Haute Cour;

on entend par «date de dépôt», en ce qui concerne tout document déposé en vertu de la présente loi, la date effective à laquelle le document est déposé ou, s’il est réputé, en vertu d’une disposition de la présente loi ou de tout règlement édicté en vertu de celle-ci, avoir été déposé à une autre date, la date à laquelle il est réputé avoir été déposé;

on entend par «licence exclusive» une licence de brevet qui confère à son titulaire, ou à son titulaire et aux personnes autorisées par lui, à l’exclusion de toute autre personne, y compris le titulaire du brevet, tout droit concernant l’invention brevetée; l’expression «titulaire d’une licence exclusive» doit être interprétée de manière correspondante;

on entend par «administration» toute administration ou organe du Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Zélande;

on entend par «circuit intégré» un circuit, sous sa forme finale ou sous une forme intermédiaire, dans lequel les éléments, dont l’un au moins est un élément actif, et tout ou partie des interconnexions font partie intégrante du corps ou de la surface d’une pièce de matériau et qui est destiné à accomplir une fonction électronique;

on entend par «demande internationale» une demande de protection d’une invention déposée en vertu du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets; on entend par «Bureau international» le Bureau international de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Propriété Intellectuelle;

on entend par «date de dépôt international» la date de dépôt attribuée à une demande internationale en vertu de l’article 11ou de l’article 14.2) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets;

on entend par «invention» tout mode de fabrication nouveau faisant l’objet d’un brevet et de l’octroi d’un privilège au sens de l’article6 de la loi sur les monopoles, et toute méthode nouvelle ou procédé expérimental nouveau applicable au perfectionnement ou au contrôle de la fabrication; ce terme désigne aussi une invention présumée;

on entend par «bulletin» le bulletin de l’office des brevets publié en vertu de l’alinéa 1) de l’article 112 de la présente loi;

on entend par «ministre» le ministre de la justice;

on entend par «brevet» le titre officiel sanctionnant une invention;

on entend par «Traité de coopération en matière de brevets»

a) le Traité de coopération en matière de brevets signé à Washington le 19 juin 1970 et dont le texte, modifié le 2 octobre 1979 et le 3 février 1984, est reproduit à l’annexe 1 de la loi de 1992 portant modification de la loi sur les brevets;

b) ce terme s’applique à toute modification ou révision apportée au traité, à laquelle la Nouvelle-Zélande est partie et par laquelle elle est liée;

on entend par «brevet d’addition» un brevet délivré conformément à l’article 34 de la présente loi;

on entend par «agent de brevets» la personne exerçant contre rémunération, en Nouvelle-Zélande, la profession de mandataire d’autres personnes aux fins de présenter des demandes de brevet ou d’obtenir des brevets en Nouvelle-Zélande ou à l’étranger;

on entend par «titulaire de brevet» la ou les personnes inscrites au registre des brevets en tant que titulaires ou propriétaires d’un brevet;

on entend par «prescrit» prescrit par la présente loi ou par tout règlement édicté en vertu de celle-ci;

l’expression «date de priorité» a le sens défini à l’article11 de la présente loi;

on entend par «publié» rendu accessible au public, excepté si ce terme s’applique à un mémoire descriptif de brevet complet; sans préjudice du caractère général de la définition qui précède, un document est réputé publié, aux fins de la présente loi,

a) s’il peut être consulté de plein droit par le public, en tout lieu de Nouvelle- Zélande, contre paiement d’une taxe ou autrement;

b) s’il peut être consulté dans la bibliothèque d’une administration ou de toute institution ou organisme public, s’agissant d’une bibliothèque ouverte à toutes les personnes qui s’intéressent aux questions auxquelles le document a trait et où le public en quête de renseignements concernant le sujet du document vient normalement et effectivement chercher ces renseignements;

l’expression «office récepteur» a le sens défini à l’article 2.xv) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets;

on entend par «loi sur les monopoles» le chapitre 3 de la loi de la 21e année du règne de Jacques Ier, qui s’intitule «Act concerning monopolies and dispensations with penal laws and the forfeiture thereof»;

on entend par «demande déposée en vertu du traité» une demande internationale

a) qui contient une requête mentionnant la Nouvelle-Zélande en tant qu’État désigné en vertu de l’article4.1) ii) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets et

b) à laquelle a été attribuée une date de dépôt international; on entend par «règlement d’exécution du traité»

a) le règlement adopté en vertu du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets et reproduit dans l’annexe 2 de la loi de 1992 portant modification de la loi sur les brevets et

b) toute modification apportée à ce règlement. 2) Aux fins de l’article 7.3) de la présente loi, en tant qu’il se rapporte à une

demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, et aux fins de l’article 81 de la loi, l’expression «exécuteur testamentaire», à propos d’une personne décédée, désigne aussi le représentant légal du défunt dans un pays autre que la Nouvelle-Zélande.

Commissaire aux brevets

Art. 3. — 1) Une personne apte à remplir les fonctions de commissaire aux brevets peut être nommée, quand il y a lieu, en vertu de la loi de 1962 sur les services de l’État [StateServices Act 1962].

2) La personne qui, lors de l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, exerce les fonctions de commissaire aux brevets, aux dessins et modèles et aux marques en vertu de la loi de 1921-1922 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques est réputée avoir été nommée commissaire aux brevets en vertu de la présente loi.

Commissaire adjoint aux brevets et autres fonctionnaires

Art. 4. — 1) Il peut être nommé, quand il y a lieu, en vertu de la loi de 1962 sur les services de l’État,

a) une ou plusieurs personnes aptes à remplir les fonctions de commissaire adjoint aux brevets;

b) tout autre fonctionnaire et agent nécessaire pour l’exécution des dispositions de la présente loi.

2) Tant qu’il demeure en fonction, tout commissaire adjoint aux brevets ainsi nommé détient et peut exercer, sous le contrôle et l’autorité du commissaire, tous les pouvoirs, attributions et fonctions de ce dernier, et toute mention du commissaire, dans la présente loi ou dans toute autre loi, doit, dans la mesure nécessaire pour donner effet aux dispositions du présent article, être interprétée comme visant aussi tout commissaire adjoint aux brevets.

3) La personne qui, lors de l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, exerce les fonctions de commissaire adjoint aux brevets, aux dessins et modèles et aux marques en vertu de la loi de 1921-1922 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques est réputée avoir été nommée commissaire adjoint aux brevets en vertu de la présente loi.

Office des brevets

Art. 5. — 1) Le ministre peut, en temps opportun, par avis publié dans le bulletin, désigner un lieu en tant qu’office des brevets. Le lieu qui, lors de l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, fait fonction d’office des brevets est réputé avoir été désigné en vertu de la présente loi.

2) Le commissaire peut, en temps opportun, par avis publié dans le bulletin, fixer les heures auxquelles l’office des brevets est ouvert au public conformément à la présente loi et il peut décider sa fermeture au public un jour quelconque.

3) Si le délai prescrit pour accomplir un acte ou engager une procédure expire un jour de fermeture de l’office des brevets et que, de ce fait, l’acte ne peut être accompli ou la procédure engagée à temps, le délai est réputé être prorogé jusqu’au premier jour d’ouverture suivant de l’office des brevets.

4) L’office des brevets dispose d’un sceau dont l’empreinte fait foi en justice.

Fermeture de l’office des brevets sans préavis

Art.5A.—1) Nonobstant les dispositions de l’article 5.2) de la présente loi, si, en cas d’urgence ou dans d’autres circonstances temporaires, le commissaire est convaincu qu’il est ou qu’il sera nécessaire ou souhaitable de fermer l’office des brevets à une date quelconque, et s’il n’est pas possible d’annoncer la fermeture dans le bulletin conformément à ces dispositions, le commissaire peut, sans préavis, déclarer l’office des brevets fermé au public à cette date conformément aux dispositions du présent article.

2) Dans tous les cas où le commissaire envisage de déclarer ou a déclaré l’office des brevets fermé au public en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, il affiche, si possible, un avis à ce sujet dans le bâtiment qui abrite l’office des brevets ou sur ce bâtiment.

3) Dès que possible par la suite, le commissaire fait publier dans le bulletin l’avis susmentionné ou, si aucun avis n’a été affiché, un avis relatif à l’exercice des pouvoirs qui lui sont conférés par le présent article.

Impossibilité pour les fonctionnaires et agents de l’office des brevets d’acquérir un droit sur un brevet ou de rédiger des mémoires descriptifs de brevet

Art. 6. — 1) Nul fonctionnaire ou agent de l’office des brevets ne peut, pendant la période où il est en fonction et pendant une année au-delà de cette période, demander un brevet en Nouvelle-Zélande, ni acquérir directement ou indirectement, sauf par testament ou succession ab intestat, un droit quelconque sur un brevet délivré ou en instance de délivrance en Nouvelle-Zélande.

2) Tout fonctionnaire ou agent de l’office des brevets se rend coupable d’un délit et est passible, en procédure sommaire, d’une amende n’excédant pas 100 dollars si, pendant la période où il est en fonction et pendant une année au-delà de cette période, il demande un brevet dans un autre pays que la Nouvelle-Zélande, ou s’il acquiert directement ou indirectement, sauf par testament ou succession ab intestat, un droit quelconque sur un brevet délivré ou en instance de délivrance dans ce pays.

3) Tout fonctionnaire ou agent de l’office des brevets se rend coupable d’un délit et est passible, en procédure sommaire, d’une amende n’excédant pas 40 dollars si, en dehors de l’exercice de ses fonctions officielles, il rédige ou établit un mémoire descriptif, un dessin ou une partie de mémoire descriptif ou de dessin ou s’il effectue des

recherches dans les archives de l’office des brevets à l’intention ou pour l’information du déposant ou futur déposant d’une demande de brevet en vertu de la présente loi.

4) Nulle disposition des alinéas 1) et 2) du présent article n’interdit à un ex- fonctionnaire ou ex-agent de l’office des brevets qui exerce la profession d’avoué ou d’agent de brevets de remplir légalement, dans le délai d’une année visé dans ces alinéas, toute fonction qui est purement accessoire à l’exercice de cette profession.

Demande, enquête, opposition, etc.

Personnes habilitées à présenter une demande

Art. 7. — 1) La demande de brevet d’invention peut être présentée par l’une des personnes ci-après, agissant seule ou conjointement avec une autre :

a) toute personne qui déclare être le véritable et premier auteur de l’invention; b) toute personne qui est le cessionnaire de la personne qui déclare être le

véritable et premier inventeur quant au droit de présenter cette demande.

2) Sans préjudice des dispositions qui précèdent, une demande de brevet concernant une invention pour laquelle une protection a été demandée dans un pays contractant peut être présentée par la personne qui a demandé la protection ou par le cessionnaire de cette personne; aux fins de la présente loi, le dépôt d’un mémoire descriptif complet dans un pays contractant, après le dépôt d’un mémoire ou de mémoires provisoires à l’appui d’une demande du type susmentionné, est réputé constituer une demande de protection dans le pays en question.

Toutefois, aucune demande ne peut être présentée, en vertu du présent alinéa, après l’expiration d’un délai de 12 mois à compter de la date de la demande de protection dans un pays contractant ou, en cas de pluralité de demandes de protection, à compter de la date de la première d’entre elles.

2A) Aux fins du présent article, en cas de pluralité de demandes de protection dans un pays contractant, la première demande peut être écartée et la deuxième demande lui est substituée si

a) la première demande a été faite dans le même pays contractant, ou pour ce même pays, et par le même déposant; et

b) au plus tard à la date de dépôt de la deuxième demande, la première demande a été retirée, abandonnée ou rejetée inconditionnellement et que

iii) la première demande n’a pas été rendue accessible au public en Nouvelle-Zélande ou à l’étranger avant son retrait, son abandon ou son rejet inconditionnel;

iii) il ne subsiste aucun droit attaché à la première demande;

iii) la première demande n’a pas servi à établir une date de priorité (au sens de l’article 2 de la présente loi) par rapport à une autre demande dans un pays quelconque.

3) Une demande de brevet peut être présentée en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ou de l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus par l’exécuteur testamentaire ou par le cessionnaire de l’exécuteur testamentaire de toute personne décédée qui, au moment de son décès, était habilitée à présenter cette demande.

4) Une demande de brevet présentée en vertu de l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus est désignée, dans la présente loi, par l’expression «demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant».

Demande

Art. 8. — 1) Toute demande de brevet doit être présentée dans les formes prescrites et déposée à l’office des brevets de la manière prescrite.

2) Toute demande, à l’exception des demandes fondées sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, doit indiquer que le déposant est en possession de l’invention et nommer la personne qui déclare être le véritable et premier inventeur; si cette personne n’est pas le déposant ou l’un des déposants, la demande doit comprendre une déclaration précisant que le déposant est convaincu que la personne en question est le véritable et premier inventeur.

3) Toute demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant doit indiquer la date à laquelle et le pays contractant dans lequel la demande de protection, ou la première demande de ce type, a été faite et préciser qu’aucune demande de protection de l’invention n’a été présentée dans un pays contractant, avant cette date, par le déposant ou par toute personne dont il est l’ayant cause.

4) Si des demandes de protection ont été présentées dans un ou plusieurs pays contractants pour deux inventions ou plus qui sont liées ou dont l’une est la modification de l’autre, une seule demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant peut, sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 10de la présente loi, être présentée à tout moment dans les 12 mois qui suivent la date de la première demande de protection.

Toutefois, la taxe exigible lors du dépôt de cette demande est la même que si une demande distincte avait été présentée pour chacune des inventions; en pareil cas, les dispositions de l’alinéa 3) ci-dessus s’appliquent séparément aux demandes de protection concernant chacune des inventions.

Mémoire descriptif de brevet complet et mémoire provisoire

Art. 9. — 1) Toute demande de brevet, à l’exception des demandes fondées sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, doit être accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif complet ou d’un mémoire descriptif provisoire; toute demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant doit être accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif complet.

2) Si une demande de brevet est accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif provisoire, un mémoire complet doit être déposé dans les 12 mois qui suivent la date du dépôt de la demande, faute de quoi la demande est réputée être abandonnée.

Toutefois, le mémoire descriptif complet peut être déposé à tout moment dans un délai de 12 à 15 mois à compter de la date susmentionnée, à condition qu’une requête à

cet effet soit adressée au commissaire et que la taxe prescrite ait été acquittée à la date de dépôt du mémoire.

3) Si deux demandes ou plus, accompagnées de mémoires descriptifs provisoires, ont été déposées pour des inventions qui sont liées ou dont l’une est la modification de l’autre, un seul mémoire complet peut, sous réserve des dispositions du présent article et de l’article 10, être déposé à l’appui de ces demandes ou, s’il a été déposé plus d’un mémoire complet, peut, avec l’autorisation du commissaire, être pris en considération pour la suite de la procédure relative à ces demandes.

4) Si une demande de brevet, à l’exception des demandes fondées sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, est accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif censé être complet, le commissaire peut, sur requête du déposant présentée à un moment quelconque avant l’acceptation du mémoire, ordonner qu’il soit traité, aux fins de la présente loi, comme un mémoire provisoire, et donner suite à la demande en conséquence.

5) Si un mémoire descriptif complet a été déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet accompagnée d’un mémoire provisoire ou d’un mémoire traité, en vertu d’une instruction donnée en application de l’alinéa 4) ci-dessus, comme un mémoire provisoire, le commissaire peut, sur requête du déposant présentée à un moment quelconque avant l’acceptation du mémoire complet, annuler le mémoire provisoire et postdater la demande en lui attribuant la date de dépôt du mémoire descriptif complet.

Contenu du mémoire descriptif

Art. 10. — 1) Tout mémoire descriptif, qu’il soit complet ou provisoire, doit décrire l’invention et commencer par un titre indiquant le sujet de l’invention.

2) Sous réserve de tout règlement édicté en vertu de la présente loi, des dessins peuvent, et doivent si le commissaire l’exige, être fournis à l’appui de tout mémoire descriptif, complet ou provisoire; tout dessin ainsi fourni est réputé, sauf décision contraire du commissaire, faire partie du mémoire et, dans la présente loi, toute mention d’un mémoire descriptif doit être interprétée en conséquence.

3) Le mémoire descriptif complet doit

a) décrire en détail l’invention et son mode d’exécution; b) indiquer le meilleur mode d’exécution de l’invention connu du déposant et

pour lequel il est en droit de demander une protection; et

c) se terminer par une ou plusieurs revendications définissant la portée de l’invention.

4) La ou les revendications d’un mémoire descriptif complet doivent porter sur une seule invention, être claires et succinctes et être suffisamment fondées sur les éléments divulgués dans le mémoire.

5) Les règlements édictés en vertu de la présente loi peuvent disposer que, dans les cas qui y sont prévus, une déclaration concernant la paternité de l’invention doit être fournie, dans la forme prescrite, avec le mémoire descriptif complet ou dans le délai prescrit à cet effet après le dépôt du mémoire.

6) Sous réserve des dispositions qui précèdent, un mémoire descriptif complet déposé après un mémoire provisoire, ou en même temps qu’une demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, peut comprendre des revendications concernant des perfectionnements ou additions par rapport à l’invention décrite dans le mémoire provisoire, ou, selon le cas, à l’invention pour laquelle une protection a été demandée dans un pays contractant, s’il s’agit de perfectionnements ou d’additions pour lesquels le déposant serait habilité, en vertu des dispositions de l’article 7 de la présente loi, à présenter une demande de brevet distincte.

7) Lorsqu’un mémoire descriptif complet contient une revendication concernant une substance nouvelle, la revendication doit être interprétée comme ne s’appliquant pas à cette substance à l’état naturel.

Date de priorité des revendications figurant dans un mémoire complet

Art. 11. — 1) Toute revendication figurant dans un mémoire descriptif complet produit ses effets à compter de la date prescrite dans le présent article en ce qui concerne cette revendication (dénommée dans la présente loi «date de priorité»); un brevet ne peut être invalidé du seul fait de la publication ou de l’utilisation de l’invention, telle qu’elle est exposée dans une revendication du mémoire complet, à la date de priorité de cette revendication ou à une date postérieure, ou de la délivrance d’un autre brevet sur la base d’un mémoire descriptif comportant, pour la même invention, une revendication portant la même date de priorité ou une date postérieure.

2) Si le mémoire descriptif complet est déposé à l’appui d’une seule demande accompagnée d’un mémoire provisoire ou d’un mémoire traité, en vertu d’une instruction donnée en application de l’article9.4) , comme un mémoire provisoire, et que la revendication est suffisamment fondée sur les éléments divulgués dans ce mémoire, la date de priorité de la revendication est la date de dépôt de la demande.

3) Si le mémoire descriptif complet est déposé ou pris en considération à l’appui de deux demandes ou plus accompagnées des mémoires descriptifs visés à l’alinéa 2) ci- dessus et que la revendication est suffisamment fondée sur les éléments divulgués dans l’un de ces mémoires, la date de priorité de la revendication est la date de dépôt de la demande qu’accompagnait ce mémoire.

4) Si le mémoire descriptif complet est déposé à l’appui d’une demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant et que la revendication est suffisamment fondée sur les éléments divulgués dans la demande de protection présentée dans un pays contractant, ou, si la demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant s’appuie sur plus d’une demande de protection, dans l’une de ces demandes, la date de priorité de la revendication est la date de la demande de protection correspondante.

5) Lorsque, en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent, une revendication figurant dans un mémoire descriptif complet aurait, n’était la présente disposition, deux dates de priorité ou plus, la date de priorité retenue est la date la plus ancienne.

6) Dans tous les cas auxquels les alinéas 2) à 5) ci-dessus ne s’appliquent pas, la date de priorité d’une revendication est la date de dépôt du mémoire descriptif complet.

Examen de la demande

Art. 12. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 26G de la présente loi, lorsqu’un mémoire descriptif complet a été déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet, la demande et le ou les mémoires sont transmis par le commissaire à un examinateur.

2) Si l’examinateur signale que la demande, ou tout mémoire descriptif connexe, n’est pas conforme aux dispositions de la présente loi ou de tout règlement édicté en vertu de la présente loi, ou qu’il existe un motif légitime d’opposition à la délivrance d’un brevet sur la base de la demande, le commissaire peut

a) refuser de donner suite à la demande ou, b) avant de donner suite à la demande, exiger la modification de celle-ci ou celle

de tout mémoire descriptif connexe.

3) À tout moment après le dépôt d’une demande en vertu de la présente loi et avant l’acceptation du mémoire descriptif complet, le commissaire peut, sur requête du déposant et moyennant le paiement de la taxe prescrite, ordonner que la demande soit postdatée et lui attribuer la date spécifiée dans la requête.

Toutefois,

a) aucune demande ne peut être postdatée, en vertu du présent alinéa, par l’attribution d’une date postérieure de plus de six mois à celle à laquelle elle a effectivement été présentée ou à laquelle, n’était le présent alinéa, elle serait réputée avoir été présentée; et

b) une demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant ne peut être postdatée, en vertu du présent alinéa, par l’attribution d’une date postérieure à la dernière date à laquelle, en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent, la demande aurait pu être présentée.

4) Lorsqu’une demande ou un mémoire descriptif déposé en vertu de la présente loi est modifié avant l’acceptation du mémoire complet, le commissaire peut ordonner que la demande ou le mémoire soit postdaté par l’attribution de la date à laquelle la modification a été déposée.

5) Les règlements édictés en vertu de la présente loi peuvent comprendre des dispositions visant à garantir que si, à un moment quelconque après le dépôt d’une demande ou d’un mémoire descriptif en vertu de la présente loi et avant l’acceptation du mémoire complet, une nouvelle demande ou un nouveau mémoire est déposé concernant un élément de l’objet de la première demande ou du premier mémoire, le commissaire peut, sur requête, ordonner que la nouvelle demande ou le nouveau mémoire soit antidaté par l’attribution d’une date qui ne peut être antérieure à celle du dépôt de la première demande ou du premier mémoire.

6) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu de l’alinéa 2) ou de l’alinéa 4) du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Recherche d’antériorité sur la base d’une publication antérieure

Art. 13. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 12 de la présente loi, l’examinateur auquel une demande de brevet est transmise en vertu de la présente loi fait des recherches afin de vérifier si l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, a été publiée avant la date de dépôt de ce mémoire dans un mémoire descriptif déposé à l’appui d’une autre demande de brevet, présentée en Nouvelle-Zélande dans les 50 années précédant cette date.

2) L’examinateur fait, en outre, toute recherche que le commissaire pourra ordonner afin de vérifier si l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, a été publiée en Nouvelle-Zélande dans tout autre document (à l’exception des documents de l’une des catégories visées à l’article59.1) ), avant la date de dépôt de ce mémoire.

3) S’il apparaît au commissaire que l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, a été publiée comme il est indiqué précédemment, il peut refuser d’accepter le mémoire, à moins que le déposant

a) ne prouve, de manière jugée concluante par le commissaire, que la date de priorité de la revendication figurant dans son mémoire complet n’est pas postérieure à la date où le document pertinent a été publié ou

b) ne modifie son mémoire descriptif complet de manière jugée satisfaisante par le commissaire.

4) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Recherche d’antériorité sur la base d’une revendication antérieure

Art. 14. — 1) En sus des recherches visées à l’article13 de la présente loi, l’examinateur fait des recherches pour vérifier si l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, est aussi revendiquée dans un autre mémoire descriptif complet publié à la date ou après la date de dépôt du mémoire examiné, si cet autre mémoire est déposé

a) à l’appui d’une demande de brevet présentée en Nouvelle-Zélande et portant une date antérieure ou

b) à l’appui d’une demande fondée sur une demande de protection présentée, avant la date susmentionnée, dans un pays contractant.

2) S’il apparaît au commissaire que l’invention est revendiquée dans un autre mémoire descriptif du type susmentionné, il peut, sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, ordonner qu’un renvoi à cet autre mémoire soit inséré, par publication d’un avis, dans le mémoire descriptif complet du déposant, à moins que, dans le délai prescrit à cet effet,

a) le déposant ne prouve, de manière jugée concluante par le commissaire, que la date de priorité de sa revendication n’est pas postérieure à celle de la revendication figurant dans l’autre mémoire descriptif ou que

b) le mémoire descriptif complet ne soit modifié de manière jugée satisfaisante par le commissaire.

3) Si, à l’issue des recherches menées en vertu de l’article13 de la présente loi ou d’une autre façon, il apparaît au commissaire

a) que l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet du déposant, a déjà été revendiquée dans un autre mémoire du type visé à l’alinéa 1) dudit article et

b) que cet autre mémoire a été publié à la date ou après la date de priorité de la revendication du déposant,

et à moins que le commissaire ne soit convaincu par les preuves fournies conformément audit article que la date de priorité de la revendication du déposant n’est pas postérieure à celle de la revendication figurant dans cet autre mémoire, les dispositions de l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus s’appliquent de la même façon qu’elles s’appliqueraient à un mémoire descriptif publié à la date ou après la date de dépôt du mémoire complet du déposant.

4) Le pouvoir conféré au commissaire par le présent article d’ordonner la publication d’un renvoi à un autre mémoire descriptif peut être exercé avant ou après la délivrance d’un brevet pour l’invention revendiquée dans cet autre mémoire, mais toute instruction donnée en ce sens avant la délivrance de ce brevet est sans effet tant que le brevet n’a pas été délivré.

5) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en application du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Possibilité pour le commissaire d’exiger des renseignements concernant les demandes déposées à l’étranger

Art. 15. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’alinéa 2) ci-après, aux fins des recherches prévues par la présente loi, le déposant doit, si le commissaire l’exige,

a) indiquer si une demande correspondante, en tous points ou en grande partie semblable, a été déposée dans l’un des pays suivants :

iii) Royaume-Uni, Canada, Australie, Etats-Unis d’Amérique; ou

iii) dans tout autre pays déclaré, par ordonnance en Conseil, être un pays auquel s’applique le présent alinéa;

b) en ce qui concerne toute demande de cette nature présentée dans l’un des pays susmentionnés, fournir, pour autant que le déposant puisse normalement se les procurer, les renseignements suivants :

iii) numéro et date de dépôt de la demande;

iii) données suffisantes pour permettre d’identifier l’état de la technique invoqué à l’égard de la demande;

iii) numéro attribué au brevet, lorsqu’un brevet a été délivré à la suite de la demande, et forme des revendications retenues;

iv) renseignements détaillés concernant toute autre demande ou tout autre brevet par rapport auquel la demande correspondante a fait l’objet d’une procédure d’opposition, de conflit, de collision ou de toute autre procédure analogue.

2) Le présent alinéa ne s’applique pas aux demandes présentées en vertu du traité.

Renvoi à un autre brevet en cas de risque de contrefaçon

Art. 16. — 1) Si, à la suite des recherches prévues par les dispositions qui précèdent ou d’une procédure engagée en vertu de l’article21ou de l’article42 de la présente loi, il apparaît au commissaire qu’une invention faisant l’objet d’une demande de brevet ne peut être exécutée sans risque sérieux de violation d’une revendication d’un autre brevet, il peut ordonner l’insertion d’un renvoi à cet autre brevet dans le mémoire descriptif complet du déposant par publication d’un avis, à moins que, dans le délai prescrit à cet effet,

a) le déposant ne prouve, de manière jugée concluante par le commissaire, qu’il existe des motifs suffisants de contester la validité de la revendication de l’autre brevet ou que

b) le mémoire descriptif complet ne soit modifié de manière jugée satisfaisante par le commissaire.

2) Si, après qu’un renvoi à un autre brevet a été inséré dans un mémoire descriptif complet conformément à une instruction donnée dans les conditions prévues à l’alinéa qui précède,

a) cet autre brevet est révoqué ou cesse de toute autre manière de produire effet; b) le mémoire descriptif de cet autre brevet est modifié par la suppression de la

revendication en cause; ou

c) l’on constate, au cours de la procédure engagée devant le tribunal ou le commissaire, que la revendication de l’autre brevet n’est pas valable ou qu’il n’y est pas porté atteinte par l’exploitation industrielle de l’invention du déposant,

le commissaire peut, à la demande du déposant, supprimer le renvoi à cet autre brevet.

3) Toute décision prise ou instruction donnée par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Rejet de la demande dans certains cas

Art. 17. — 1) S’il apparaît au commissaire, à propos d’une demande de brevet, que l’exploitation de l’invention qui fait l’objet de la demande serait contraire aux bonnes mœurs, il peut rejeter la demande.

2) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Dispositions supplémentaires concernant l’examen, etc.

Art. 18. — 1) Les pouvoirs conférés au commissaire en vertu de l’article14 ou de l’article 16 de la présente loi peuvent être exercés avant ou après l’acceptation du mémoire descriptif complet ou la délivrance d’un brevet au déposant; dans ces articles, toute mention du déposant doit par conséquent être interprétée comme visant également le titulaire du brevet.

2) Si un mémoire descriptif complet est modifié en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent avant d’avoir été accepté, le mémoire modifié est examiné et donne lieu à des recherches selon les mêmes modalités que le mémoire initial.

3) L’examen et les recherches prévues par les dispositions qui précèdent ne sont pas réputés garantir la validité d’un brevet, et aucune responsabilité n’est encourue par l’office des brevets ou par un fonctionnaire de l’office en raison ou à l’occasion de cet examen ou de ces recherches, ou de tout rapport ou autre procédure en résultant.

Délai de mise en état de la demande en vue de sa recevabilité

Art. 19. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’alinéa 1A) ci-après, une demande de brevet est nulle à moins que, dans les 15 mois à compter du dépôt du mémoire descriptif complet, ou dans tout délai supérieur qui peut être accordé en vertu des dispositions suivantes du présent article, le déposant n’ait satisfait à toutes les obligations qui lui incombent en vertu de la présente loi au sujet du mémoire complet ou, d’une manière générale, au sujet de la demande.

1A) Pour les demandes déposées en vertu du traité, le délai prévu à l’alinéa 1) court à compter du jour où le déposant s’acquitte des obligations prévues à l’article22.1) ou 39.1) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets, selon le cas.

2) Le délai prévu à l’alinéa 1) est prorogé d’une durée, ne pouvant dépasser 18 mois à compter de la date de dépôt du mémoire descriptif complet, qui pourra être indiquée dans un préavis du déposant au commissaire, si le préavis est donné et si la taxe prescrite est acquittée avant la fin de la durée ainsi indiquée.

3) Si, à l’expiration du délai accordé en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent, un recours formé devant le tribunal en ce qui concerne la demande — ou, dans le cas d’une demande de brevet d’addition, en ce qui concerne soit cette demande, soit la demande de brevet pour l’invention principale — est en instance en application d’une disposition de la présente loi, ou si le délai dans lequel le recours peut être formé conformément au règlement du tribunal, sous réserve de toute prorogation future prévue par ce règlement, n’est pas expiré,

a) si le recours est en instance ou est formé dans le délai susmentionné ou avant l’expiration de toute prorogation de délai accordée, en cas de première prorogation, sur demande présentée dans ce délai ou, en cas de nouvelle prorogation, sur demande présentée avant l’expiration de la dernière prorogation, le délai accordé en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent est prorogé jusqu’à une date fixée par le tribunal;

b) si aucun recours n’est en instance ou n’est ainsi formé, le délai accordé en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent court jusqu’à l’expiration du délai de recours susmentionné, ou, si une prorogation de délai est accordée comme il est indiqué plus haut, jusqu’à l’expiration de cette prorogation ou de la dernière prorogation accordée.

Acceptation et publication du mémoire descriptif complet

Art. 20. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 19, le mémoire descriptif complet déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet peut être accepté par le commissaire à tout moment après que le déposant s’est acquitté des obligations visées à l’alinéa 1) dudit article; s’il n’a pas été accepté dans le délai prévu à cette fin par ledit article, le mémoire est accepté dès que possible après ce délai.

Toutefois, le déposant peut saisir le commissaire d’une requête tendant à faire différer l’acceptation jusqu’à une date, précisée dans la requête, tombant dans les 18 mois suivant la date de dépôt du mémoire complet; si cette requête tend à faire renvoyer l’acceptation à une date postérieure de plus de 15 mois à la date susmentionnée et si la taxe prescrite est acquittée, le commissaire peut différer l’acceptation en conséquence.

2) Si le mémoire descriptif complet est accepté, le commissaire en avise le déposant et publie un avis en ce sens dans le bulletin, après quoi la demande ou les mémoires déposés à l’appui de celle-ci sont rendus accessibles au public pour consultation.

3) Dans la présente loi, toute mention de la date de publication d’un mémoire descriptif complet doit être interprétée comme visant la date de publication du numéro du bulletin où est paru l’avis susmentionné.

4) Après la date de publication d’un mémoire descriptif complet et jusqu’à l’apposition du sceau sur le brevet correspondant, le déposant jouit des mêmes privilèges et des mêmes droits que si le sceau avait été apposé sur le brevet protégeant l’invention à la date de publication du mémoire; toutefois, le déposant n’est pas habilité à intenter une action pour atteinte au brevet avant l’apposition du sceau sur celui-ci.

5) Nonobstant toute disposition de la loi de 1950 sur la prescription, s’il est allégué qu’une contrefaçon a été commise durant la période comprise entre la date de publication du mémoire descriptif complet et la date d’apposition du sceau sur le brevet, l’action en contrefaçon se prescrit par

a) six ans à compter de la date de la contrefaçon alléguée ou b) trois ans à compter de la date d’apposition du sceau,

selon l’échéance la plus tardive.

Opposition à la délivrance du brevet

Art. 21. — 1) À tout moment au cours du délai prescrit à l’alinéa 2) ci-après, toute personne intéressée peut former opposition à la délivrance du brevet, auprès du commissaire, pour l’un des motifs suivants :

a) le déposant, ou la personne désignée dans la demande comme étant le véritable et premier inventeur, a obtenu l’invention, ou une partie de l’invention, de la personne intéressée ou d’un tiers dont celle-ci est l’exécuteur testamentaire;

b) l’invention, telle qu’elle est exposée dans une revendication du mémoire descriptif complet, a été publiée en Nouvelle-Zélande avant la date de priorité de la revendication

iii) dans un mémoire descriptif déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet présentée en Nouvelle-Zélande dans les 50 années précédant la date de dépôt du mémoire complet du déposant;

iii) dans tout autre document, à l’exception des documents des catégories visées à l’article 59.1) de la présente loi;

c) l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, est aussi revendiquée dans un autre mémoire descriptif complet publié à la date ou après la date de priorité de la revendication du déposant et déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet en Nouvelle-Zélande, et cette autre revendication a une date de priorité antérieure à celle de la revendication du déposant;

d) l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, a été exploitée en Nouvelle-Zélande avant la date de priorité de cette revendication;

e) l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, est évidente et n’implique manifestement aucune activité inventive par rapport à des éléments publiés selon les modalités prévues au sous-alinéa b) ci-dessus, ou exploités en Nouvelle-Zélande avant la date de priorité de la revendication du déposant;

f) l’objet d’une revendication du mémoire descriptif complet ne constitue pas une invention au sens de la présente loi;

g) le mémoire descriptif complet n’expose pas suffisamment et objectivement l’invention ou son mode d’exécution;

h) dans le cas d’une demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, la demande n’a pas été présentée dans les 12 mois suivant la date de la première demande de protection de l’invention faite par le déposant, ou par une personne dont il est l’ayant cause, dans un pays contractant;

i) dans le cas d’une demande à laquelle s’applique une ordonnance prise en vertu de l’article 37 de la présente loi, le fait que le déposant ne se soit pas acquitté des obligations lui incombant en vertu de la présente loi dans le délai prévu par l’article19 , ou prorogé en vertu dudit article ou de l’article93 de la présente loi, n’était pas involontaire;

j) dans le cas d’une demande à laquelle s’applique une ordonnance prise en vertu de l’article 37 de la présente loi, la requête tendant à obtenir cette ordonnance a été présentée trop tardivement;

k) dans le cas d’une demande faite en vertu de l’article93A de la présente loi, la prorogation de délai accordée par le commissaire était injustifiée,

à l’exclusion de tout autre motif.

2) Toute opposition doit être formée dans les trois mois qui suivent la date de publication du mémoire descriptif complet en vertu de la présente loi.

Toutefois, si une requête à cet effet lui est adressée dans ces trois mois, le commissaire peut porter le délai prescrit à quatre mois.

3) Lorsqu’il a été formé opposition, le commissaire en avise le déposant et, avant de se prononcer, lui donne, ainsi qu’à l’opposant, la possibilité d’être entendu.

4) La délivrance d’un brevet ne peut être refusée pour le motif visé au sous- alinéa c) de l’alinéa 1) si aucun brevet n’a été délivré à la suite de la demande visée dans ce sous-alinéa; aux fins des sous-alinéas d) ou e) dudit alinéa, il n’est tenu aucun compte d’une exploitation secrète.

5) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Refus de brevet en l’absence d’opposition

Art. 22. — 1) Si, à un moment quelconque après l’acceptation du mémoire descriptif complet déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet et avant la délivrance du brevet, le commissaire apprend, autrement qu’en raison d’une procédure d’opposition engagée en vertu de l’article21ci-dessus, que l’invention, telle qu’elle est exposée dans une revendication du mémoire, a été publiée en Nouvelle-Zélande avant la date de priorité de la revendication

a) dans un mémoire descriptif déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet présentée en Nouvelle-Zélande dans les 50 années précédant la date de dépôt du mémoire complet du déposant ou

b) dans tout autre document, à l’exception des documents des catégories visées à l’article 59.1) de la présente loi,

le commissaire peut refuser de délivrer le brevet à moins que, dans le délai qui pourra être prescrit, le mémoire descriptif complet ne soit modifié d’une manière qu’il juge satisfaisante.

2) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Mention de l’inventeur dans le brevet

Art. 23. — 1) S’il a acquis la conviction, à propos d’une requête ou d’une prétention [claim] formulée conformément aux dispositions du présent article,

a) que la personne pour ou par laquelle la requête ou la prétention est formulée est l’auteur de l’invention qui fait l’objet de la demande de brevet, ou d’une grande partie de cette invention; et

b) que la demande de brevet est la conséquence directe de la qualité d’inventeur de cette personne,

le commissaire, sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, fait mentionner cette personne en tant qu’inventeur dans tout brevet délivré à la suite de la demande ainsi que dans le mémoire descriptif complet et dans le registre des brevets.

Toutefois, la mention d’une personne en tant qu’inventeur en vertu du présent article ne confère aucun droit et ne porte atteinte à aucun droit attaché au brevet.

2) Aux fins du présent article, l’auteur véritable d’une invention ou d’une partie d’une invention est réputé être l’inventeur, nonobstant le fait qu’une autre personne soit considérée, à toutes autres fins dans le cadre de la présente loi, comme le véritable et premier inventeur; nul n’est réputé être l’auteur d’une invention ou d’une partie d’une invention du seul fait que celle-ci a été importée par lui en Nouvelle-Zélande.

3) Une requête tendant à obtenir la mention de l’inventeur selon les modalités prévues ci-dessus peut être présentée de la manière prescrite par le déposant de la demande de brevet ou, si l’inventeur présumé n’est pas le déposant ou l’un des déposants, par le déposant et par cet inventeur.

4) Si une personne autre que celle pour laquelle une requête ayant trait à la demande de brevet en question a été présentée en vertu de l’alinéa 3) du présent article désire être mentionnée selon les modalités prévues ci-dessus, elle peut le demander [make a claim] dans les formes prescrites à cet effet.

5) Une requête ou prétention formulée en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent doit l’être au plus tard dans les deux mois qui suivent la publication du mémoire descriptif complet, sous réserve de toute prorogation, à concurrence de un mois, que le commissaire peut accorder si la demande lui en est faite avant l’expiration du délai initial de deux mois et moyennant le paiement de la taxe prescrite.

6) Aucune requête ou prétention formulée en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent n’est recevable si elle apparaît au commissaire être fondée sur des faits qui, s’ils étaient établis en cas d’opposition formée en vertu des dispositions de l’article 21.1)a) par la personne pour ou par laquelle la requête ou la prétention est formulée, lui auraient donné droit à réparation en vertu dudit article.

7) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’alinéa 6) ci-dessus, si une prétention est formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 4), le commissaire la porte à la connaissance de tout déposant de la demande de brevet qui n’est pas le requérant et de toute autre personne que le commissaire estime être intéressée; avant de se prononcer sur la requête ou la prétention formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 3) ou 4) du présent article, le commissaire entend, s’il y a lieu, la personne pour ou par laquelle cette requête ou prétention est formulée et, dans le cas d’une prétention formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 4), toute personne qui a été avisée de cette prétention selon les modalités prévues ci-dessus.

8) Quiconque fait valoir qu’une personne mentionnée en tant qu’inventeur en application du présent article n’aurait pas dû l’être peut à tout moment demander au commissaire une attestation à cet effet; après avoir entendu, s’il y a lieu, toute personne qu’il juge intéressée, le commissaire peut délivrer cette attestation, auquel cas il modifie le mémoire descriptif et le registre en conséquence.

9) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Substitution de déposants, etc.

Art. 24. — 1) Si le commissaire acquiert la conviction, à la suite d’une déclaration faite dans les formes prescrites à un moment quelconque avant la délivrance du brevet, qu’en vertu d’une cession opérée ou d’une convention conclue par le déposant ou l’un des déposants de la demande de brevet, ou de plein droit, l’auteur de la déclaration aurait droit au brevet, si celui-ci était délivré, ou serait fondé à revendiquer les droits du déposant sur le brevet, ou une part indivise du brevet ou de ces droits, il peut ordonner, sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, qu’il soit donné suite à la demande au nom de l’auteur de la déclaration ou au nom de ce dernier et du déposant, ou de l’autre ou des autres codéposants, selon le cas.

2) Il ne peut être donné d’instruction du type susmentionné en vertu d’une cession opérée ou d’une convention conclue par l’un des codéposants d’une demande de brevet qu’avec le consentement de l’autre ou des autres codéposants.

3) Il ne peut être donné d’instruction du type susmentionné en vertu d’une cession ou d’une convention visant le transfert du bénéfice d’une invention, à moins

a) que l’invention n’y soit identifiée par l’indication du numéro de la demande de brevet;

b) qu’il ne soit remis au commissaire une attestation de la personne par qui la cession a été opérée ou la convention conclue, établissant que celle-ci se rapporte à l’invention qui fait l’objet de la demande de brevet; ou

c) que les droits de 1’auteur de la déclaration concernant l’invention n’aient été définitivement établis par les tribunaux ou par le commissaire statuant en vertu des dispositions ci-après.

4) Si l’un des codéposants d’une demande de brevet décède avant la délivrance du brevet, le commissaire peut, sur requête du ou des survivants, et avec le consentement de l’exécuteur testamentaire du défunt, ordonner qu’il soit donné suite à la demande au nom du seul ou des seuls survivants.

5) En cas de litige entre les codéposants d’une demande de brevet concernant l’opportunité ou la manière de donner suite à la demande, le commissaire peut, sur requête adressée dans les formes prescrites par l’une ou l’autre des parties, et après avoir donné à tous les intéressés la possibilité d’être entendus, donner les instructions qu’il juge utiles pour qu’il soit donné suite à la demande au nom de l’une ou de certaines des parties seulement ou pour préciser la manière d’y donner suite, ou à ces deux fins, selon le cas. Dans les deux cas, le commissaire peut autoriser la poursuite de l’instruction de la demande au nom de l’une des parties ou de plusieurs d’entre elles.

6) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Dispositions concernant le maintien du secret de certaines inventions

Art. 25. — 1) Si, avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, une demande de brevet d’invention est présentée et qu’il apparaît au commissaire que l’invention entre dans une catégorie que le ministre de la défense lui a désignée comme intéressant la défense nationale, ou qu’elle a des chances, de l’avis du commissaire, d’être importante pour la défense nationale, il peut donner des instructions en vue d’interdire ou de restreindre la publication de renseignements relatifs à l’invention ou la communication de ces renseignements à toute personne ou catégorie de personnes mentionnée dans les instructions; tant que ces instructions demeurent en vigueur, la demande peut, sous réserve des instructions, suivre son cours jusqu’à l’acceptation du mémoire descriptif complet; toutefois, l’acceptation ne fait l’objet d’aucune publicité, le mémoire n’est pas publié et aucun brevet n’est délivré à la suite de la demande.

2) Si le commissaire donne les instructions susmentionnées, il avise le ministre de la défense de la demande et des instructions données; dès lors, les dispositions suivantes prennent effet :

a) le ministre de la défense, dès qu’il a été avisé, examine si la publication de l’invention serait préjudiciable à la sécurité de la Nouvelle-Zélande et, à moins qu’un avis n’ait été précédemment adressé, en vertu du sous-alinéa c) ci-après, par le ministre au commissaire, il réexamine la question avant l’expiration d’un délai de neuf mois à compter du dépôt de la demande de brevet et au moins une fois par an par la suite;

b) aux fins susmentionnées, le ministre de la défense peut, à tout moment après l’acceptation du mémoire descriptif complet ou, avec le consentement du déposant, à tout moment avant cette acceptation, examiner la demande et tous les documents connexes fournis au commissaire;

c) si, après examen, il apparaît à un moment quelconque au ministre de la défense que la publication de l’invention ne serait pas ou ne serait plus préjudiciable à la sécurité de la Nouvelle-Zélande, le ministre en avise le commissaire;

d) dès réception de l’avis correspondant, le commissaire rapporte ses instructions et peut, sous réserve des conditions qu’il juge utiles, proroger le délai nécessaire à l’accomplissement de tout acte exigé ou autorisé en vertu de la présente loi en relation avec la demande, que ce délai ait ou non déjà expiré.

3) Lorsqu’un mémoire descriptif complet, déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet visant une invention au sujet de laquelle des instructions ont été données en vertu du présent article ou de l’article 26, est accepté pendant que ces instructions sont en vigueur,

a) si, pendant le maintien en vigueur des instructions, l’invention est exploitée par une administration, ou pour le compte ou sur l’ordre d’une administration, les dispositions des articles 55 à 58 de la présente loi s’appliquent à l’égard de cette exploitation comme si le brevet avait été délivré et

b) s’il apparaît au ministre de la défense que le déposant de la demande de brevet a subi un préjudice en raison du maintien en vigueur des instructions, le ministre des finances peut faire verser au déposant, à titre d’indemnité, la somme qui lui paraîtra équitable, compte tenu de la nouveauté et de l’utilité de l’invention et de sa destination, ainsi que de tout autre élément pertinent.

4) Si un brevet a été accordé à la suite d’une demande au sujet de laquelle des instructions ont été données en vertu du présent article ou de l’article26 , aucune taxe de renouvellement n’est exigible pour la période pendant laquelle ces instructions ont été en vigueur.

5) Nulle personne résidant en Nouvelle-Zélande ne peut, sauf autorisation écrite accordée par le commissaire ou en son nom, présenter ou faire présenter une demande de brevet d’invention à l’étranger, à moins

a) qu’une demande de brevet pour la même invention ou une invention foncièrement semblable n’ait été présentée en Nouvelle-Zélande six semaines au minimum avant la demande présentée à l’étranger et

b) qu’il n’ait pas été donné d’instructions, en vertu de l’alinéa 1) du présent article ou de l’article 26, concernant la demande déposée en Nouvelle- Zélande, ou que toutes les instructions données n’aient été annulées.

Toutefois, le présent alinéa ne s’applique pas à une invention pour laquelle une demande de protection a d’abord été déposée à l’étranger par une personne résidant hors de Nouvelle-Zélande.

6) Quiconque ne se conforme pas aux instructions données en vertu du présent article, ou présente ou fait présenter une demande de brevet en violation de ses dispositions se rend coupable d’un délit et est passible, sur condamnation après inculpation, d’une peine d’emprisonnement de deux ans au plus, d’une amende n’excédant pas 1000 dollars, ou de ces deux peines conjointement.

Inventions ayant trait à l’énergie atomique

Art. 26. — 1) Lorsque le commissaire est saisi d’une demande de brevet et qu’il lui apparaît que l’invention en cause se rapporte à la production ou à l’utilisation de l’énergie nucléaire, ou à la recherche dans des domaines connexes, il en avise le ministre de la défense par écrit; il peut, nonobstant toute disposition de la présente loi ou de toute autre loi, omettre ou différer tout acte qu’il serait normalement tenu d’accomplir au sujet de la demande, et il donne des instructions en vue d’interdire ou de restreindre la publication de renseignements concernant l’objet de la demande ou la communication de ces renseignements à certaines personnes ou catégories de personnes; quiconque enfreint ces instructions commet un délit en vertu du présent article.

2) Dès qu’il a été avisé dans les conditions susmentionnées, le ministre de la défense examine si l’invention qui fait l’objet de la demande est importante pour la défense nationale, et il peut consulter tous les documents et renseignements fournis au commissaire à l’appui de la demande; s’il acquiert la conviction, sur-le-champ ou ultérieurement, que l’invention n’a pas d’importance pour la défense nationale, il en avise le commissaire par écrit; dès lors, le commissaire cesse d’exercer les pouvoirs que lui

confère l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus à l’égard de la demande et rapporte immédiatement toutes les instructions qu’il a données en vertu desdits pouvoirs.

3) Si le commissaire adresse ou reçoit un avis en vertu des dispositions qui précèdent au sujet d’une demande de brevet, il en transmet copie au déposant.

4) Si, à la suite d’une demande de brevet adressée au commissaire, l’avis prévu à l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus a été adressé et qu’un délai de six mois s’est écoulé sans qu’un avis ait été adressé en vertu de l’alinéa 2) en ce qui concerne la demande, toute personne qui, avant la date de la demande, a engagé des frais ou effectué des travaux en liaison avec la découverte ou la mise au point de l’invention considérée, a droit, pour ces frais ou travaux, à une indemnité fixée par le ministre de la défense avec l’assentiment du ministre des finances; en aucun cas l’indemnité ne peut être inférieure au montant des frais légitimement engagés; à défaut d’accord entre le ministre de la défense et la personne intéressée, le montant de ces frais est fixé par voie d’arbitrage.

Toutefois, si le ministre de la défense adresse ultérieurement l’avis prévu à l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus concernant la demande, il est habilité à recouvrer, en tant que dette envers la Couronne, une part équitable de l’indemnité versée à toute personne en vertu du présent alinéa au titre de l’invention, compte tenu de la longueur de la période pendant laquelle ont été exercés les pouvoirs conférés par l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus concernant la demande, ainsi que de toutes les autres circonstances de l’espèce; à défaut d’accord entre le ministre de la défense et la personne intéressée, le montant à recouvrer à ce titre est fixé par voie d’arbitrage.

5) Si le commissaire, dans l’exercice des pouvoirs qui lui sont conférés en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, omet d’accomplir un acte ou en diffère l’accomplissement, ou s’il donne des instructions en vue d’interdire ou de restreindre la publication ou la communication de renseignements, il peut, sous réserve des conditions qu’il juge opportun d’imposer, proroger le délai fixé en vertu de la présente loi pour l’accomplissement d’un acte quelconque, s’il est convaincu qu’une prorogation doit être accordée en raison de l’exercice des pouvoirs susmentionnés.

6) Le seul fait que l’invention ait été précédemment communiquée au ministre de la défense en vertu du présent article ne saurait porter atteinte au droit de demander ou d’obtenir un brevet d’invention, et un brevet d’invention ne peut être annulé au seul motif que l’invention a été ainsi communiquée.

7) Les pouvoirs conférés à une administration et aux personnes autorisées par une administration en vertu de l’article55 de la présente loi comprennent la faculté de fabriquer, utiliser, exploiter ou vendre une invention à des fins, liées à la production ou à l’utilisation de l’énergie atomique ou à la recherche dans des domaines connexes, que le ministre de la défense juge nécessaires ou opportunes; toute mention, dans ledit article ou dans les articles 56 et 57, des services de la Couronne doit être interprétée comme visant les fins susmentionnées.

8) Quiconque enfreint les dispositions du présent article est passible, sur condamnation après inculpation, d’un emprisonnement de deux ans au plus, d’une amende n’excédant pas 1000 dollars, ou de ces deux peines conjointement.

Demande déposée en vertu du traité

Demande déposée en vertu du traité considérée comme demande accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif complet

Art. 26A. Aux fins de la présente loi, une demande déposée en vertu du traité est réputée être une demande de brevet d’invention accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif complet.

Description, revendications et dessins

Art. 26B. — 1) La description, les revendications et les dessins éventuels figurant dans une demande déposée en vertu du traité sont réputés constituer un mémoire descriptif complet aux fins de la présente loi.

2) Toutes les indications qui sont visées à la règle 13bis.3.a) du règlement d’exécution du traité et qui figurent dans une référence à un micro-organisme déposé

a) sont réputées faire partie de la description figurant dans une demande internationale;

b) en conséquence, font partie, conformément à l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, du mémoire descriptif complet, même si elles figurent dans un document distinct.

Date de dépôt international

Art. 26C. Une demande déposée en vertu du traité est réputée avoir été déposée en Nouvelle-Zélande à sa date de dépôt international.

Attribution de la date de dépôt international par le commissaire

Art. 26D. — 1) Sous réserve des alinéas 2) et 3) du présent article, lorsque a) une requête figurant dans une demande internationale mentionne la Nouvelle-

Zélande comme État désigné en vertu de l’article4.1) ii) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets et que

b) iii) l’office récepteur a refusé d’attribuer à la de- mande internationale une date de dépôt international en vertu de l’article 11.1) du traité ou a déclaré que la demande internationale était considérée comme retirée; ou bien que

iii) le Bureau international a conclu en vertu de l’article12.3) du traité que la demande internationale était considérée comme retirée; et que

c) le commissaire a décidé en vertu de l’article25.2)a)du traité que le refus, la déclaration ou la conclusion résultait d’une erreur ou d’une omission de l’office récepteur ou du Bureau international,

le commissaire attribue à la demande une date de dépôt international, qui est la date de réception de la demande par l’office récepteur en vertu de l’article11.1) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets, et les dispositions de la présente loi s’appliquent à la demande en conséquence.

2) Lorsque, aux fins de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, la date de réception de la demande par l’office récepteur ne peut pas être établie, le commissaire peut attribuer à la demande une date de dépôt international et les dispositions de la présente loi s’appliquent à la demande en conséquence.

3) Le présent article ne s’applique pas à une demande internationale déposée auprès d’un office récepteur dans une autre langue que l’anglais, à moins qu’une traduction en anglais, authentifiée conformément aux règlements édictés en vertu de la présente loi, n’ait été fournie au commissaire.

Modification de documents faisant partie d’un mémoire descriptif complet

Art. 26E. — 1) Lorsqu’une traduction en anglais d’une demande déposée en vertu du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets a été déposée auprès du commissaire, ou a été publiée par le Bureau international en vertu de l’article21 du traité, la description, les revendications et toute documentation associée aux dessins, figurant dans la demande, sont réputées aux fins de la présente loi avoir été modifiées à la date de dépôt de la traduction, par la substitution des documents traduits aux documents originaux.

2) Lorsqu’une demande déposée en vertu du traité

a) a été modifiée en vertu de l’article19.1) du traité ou b) a été modifiée en vertu de l’article34du traité et que, dans le délai prescrit, la

Nouvelle-Zélande a été choisie par le déposant comme État élu en vertu de l’article 31.4)a) du traité,

la description, les revendications et les dessins figurant dans la demande déposée en vertu du traité sont réputés, aux fins de la présente loi, avoir été modifiés à la date où la modification a été faite.

3) Lorsqu’une demande déposée en vertu du traité a été rectifiée en vertu de la règle 91 du règlement d’exécution du traité, la description, les revendications et les dessins figurant dans la demande sont réputés, aux fins de la présente loi, avoir été modifiés à la date du dépôt international de la demande.

Nullité de la demande déposée en vertu du traité

Art. 26F. Une demande déposée en vertu du traité est réputée être nulle aux fins de la présente loi lorsque

a) le déposant retire sa demande internationale ou retire la demande à l’égard de la Nouvelle-Zélande en qualité d’État désigné;

b) sous réserve de l’article 25 du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets, la demande internationale est considérée comme retirée en vertu de l’article 12.3), 14.1)b), 14.3)a) ou 14.4) du traité;

c) sous réserve de l’article 25 du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets, la désignation de la Nouvelle-Zélande en tant qu’État désigné est considérée comme retirée en vertu de l’article14.3)b) du traité;

d) le déposant ne s’acquitte pas dans le délai prescrit des obligations prévues à l’article 22.1) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets; ou

e) le déposant ne s’acquitte pas dans le délai prescrit des obligations prévues à l’article 39.1)a) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets.

Conditions d’examen de la demande déposée en vertu du traité

Art. 26G. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’alinéa 2) ci-après, et nonobstant les dispositions de l’article 26A ci-dessus, le commissaire n’exerce pas les pouvoirs qui lui sont conférés en vertu de l’article12de la présente loi avant que

a) le déposant ne se soit acquitté des obligations prévues à l’article22.1) ou 39.1) du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets;

b) le délai prescrit n’ait expiré; c) s’il y a lieu, une traduction en anglais de la demande internationale n’ait été

déposée auprès du commissaire et authentifiée conformément aux règlements édictés en vertu de la présente loi;

d) tous les documents à déposer en vertu de la présente loi et de tout règlement édicté en vertu de celle-ci n’aient été déposés; et

e) toutes les taxes à payer en vertu de la présente loi et de tout règlement édicté en vertu de celle-ci n’aient été acquittées.

2) Nonobstant les dispositions de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, le commissaire peut, à la demande expresse du déposant, exercer à tout moment les pouvoirs qui lui sont conférés en vertu de l’article12 de la présente loi.

Publication des demandes déposées en vertu du traité

Art. 26H. La publication d’une demande déposée en vertu du traité, conformément à l’article 21 de celui-ci, ne confère au déposant aucun des droits ou privilèges prévus par la présente loi, et n’a d’autre effet que de conférer à la demande, aux fins de toutes recherches prévues par la présente loi, le statut de document publié.

Délivrance, effet et durée du brevet

Délivrance du brevet et apposition du sceau sur le brevet

Art. 27. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de la présente loi concernant la procédure d’opposition et de tout pouvoir qu’a le commissaire de refuser la délivrance, un brevet portant le sceau de l’office des brevets doit, si la requête prescrite est présentée dans le délai prévu par le présent article, être délivré au déposant ou aux déposants dans ce délai ou aussitôt que possible par la suite; la date d’apposition du sceau sur le brevet est inscrite au registre des brevets.

2) Sous réserve des dispositions suivantes de la présente loi concernant les brevets d’addition, la requête en apposition du sceau sur un brevet en vertu du présent article doit être présentée avant l’expiration d’un délai de quatre mois à compter de la publication du mémoire descriptif complet.

Toutefois,

a) si, à l’expiration des quatre mois, toute procédure relative à la demande de brevet est en instance devant un tribunal ou devant le commissaire, la requête peut être présentée dans le délai prescrit après la décision qui met fin à ladite procédure;

b) si le déposant ou l’un des déposants décède avant l’expiration du délai dans lequel, selon les dispositions du présent alinéa, la requête aurait pu, normalement, être présentée, cette requête peut être présentée à tout moment dans les 12 mois qui suivent la date du décès ou à une date ultérieure que peut fixer le commissaire.

3) Le délai de présentation d’une requête en apposition du sceau sur un brevet, prévu à l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus, peut être prorogé par le commissaire pour une durée spécifiée dans une demande qui lui est présentée à cet effet, si la demande est présentée et si la taxe prescrite est acquittée dans ce délai prorogé.

Toutefois, le délai initial ne peut être prorogé, en vertu du présent alinéa, de plus de six mois ou d’une durée plus courte qui pourra être prescrite.

4) Si le plus long délai de présentation d’une requête en apposition du sceau sur un brevet qui soit autorisé en l’espèce, en application des dispositions qui précèdent, a été accordé, et s’il est établi, de manière jugée concluante par le commissaire, que la poursuite, par un déposant, des démarches afférentes à une demande de brevet à l’étranger est de nature à soulever des difficultés à moins que ce délai ne soit prorogé, le commissaire peut accorder toute prorogation qu’il juge nécessaire pour éviter ces difficultés, sous réserve qu’une demande à cet effet lui soit adressée et que la taxe prescrite soit acquittée au cours du délai initial, ou, s’il s’agit d’une deuxième demande ou d’une demande ultérieure présentée en vertu du présent alinéa, au cours de toute prorogation du délai précédent accordée à la suite de cette demande.

5) Aux fins du présent article, une procédure est réputée être en instance tant que le délai de recours, sous réserve de toute prorogation future de celui-ci, n’est pas expiré et une procédure est réputée être définitivement close lorsque le délai de recours, sous réserve de toute prorogation future, est expiré sans qu’un recours ait été formé.

Modification d’un brevet délivré à un déposant décédé

Art. 28. Si, à un moment quelconque après l’apposition du sceau sur un brevet à la suite d’une demande présentée en vertu de la présente loi, le commissaire vient à apprendre avec certitude que le titulaire du brevet est décédé, ou, dans le cas d’une personne morale, a cessé d’exister, avant l’apposition du sceau, il peut modifier le brevet en substituant au nom du titulaire celui de la personne à qui il aurait dû être délivré; le brevet produit ses effets et est réputé avoir toujours produit ses effets en conséquence.

Étendue, effet et forme du brevet

Art. 29. — 1) Un brevet portant le sceau de l’office des brevets produit les mêmes effets que s’il portait le sceau officiel de la Nouvelle-Zélande, et il produit ses effets sur tout le territoire de la Nouvelle-Zélande.

Toutefois, un brevet cédé pour tout lieu situé en Nouvelle-Zélande ou pour toute région de la Nouvelle-Zélande produit les mêmes effets que s’il avait été délivré pour ce lieu ou cette région seulement.

2) Sous réserve des dispositions de la présente loi et de l’article7.3) de la loi de 1950 sur les procédures de la Couronne [Crown Proceedings Act 1950], un brevet est opposable à la Couronne comme il l’est à tout sujet de la Couronne.

3) Le brevet est établi dans les formes prescrites.

4) Un brevet ne peut porter que sur une seule invention; toutefois, nul n’est fondé, dans une action ou procédure quelconque, à élever une objection à l’encontre d’un brevet au motif que celui-ci a été délivré pour plus d’une invention.

Date et durée du brevet

Art. 30. — 1) Tout brevet porte la date de dépôt du mémoire descriptif complet. Il ne peut, toutefois, être engagé de poursuites pour une contrefaçon commise avant

la date de publication du mémoire.

2) La date de chaque brevet est inscrite au registre des brevets.

3) La durée d’un brevet est de 20 ans à compter de la date du brevet.

4) Un brevet cesse de produire ses effets, nonobstant toute mention y figurant ou toute disposition de la présente loi, à l’expiration du délai prescrit pour le paiement de la taxe de renouvellement si cette taxe n’a pas été acquittée dans le délai prescrit ou dans le délai prorogé en vertu du présent article.

Toutefois, si le délai prescrit pour le paiement de la taxe de renouvellement expire dans les quatre mois qui suivent la date d’apposition du sceau sur le brevet, le délai de paiement est prorogé jusqu’au terme de cette période de quatre mois.

5) Le délai prescrit pour le paiement de la taxe de renouvellement, y compris toute prorogation de ce délai en vertu de l’alinéa 4) ci-dessus, est prorogé pour la durée, de six mois au maximum, qui est indiquée dans une requête adressée au commissaire, sous réserve que la requête soit présentée et que la taxe de renouvellement et la taxe additionnelle prescrites soient acquittées avant l’expiration de la durée ainsi indiquée.

Art. 31 à 33. [Abrogés]

Brevets d’addition

Art. 34. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, lorsqu’une demande de brevet est présentée pour un perfectionnement ou une modification d’une invention (dénommée, dans la présente loi, l’«invention principale») et que le déposant demande aussi ou a demandé un brevet pour l’invention principale, ou est titulaire du brevet protégeant cette invention, le commissaire peut, sur requête du déposant, délivrer le brevet pour le perfectionnement ou la modification en tant que brevet d’addition.

2) Sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, si une invention qui constitue un perfectionnement ou une modification d’une autre invention fait l’objet d’un brevet indépendant et que le titulaire de ce brevet est aussi titulaire du brevet protégeant l’invention principale, le commissaire peut, à la demande de celui-ci, révoquer par ordonnance le brevet de perfectionnement ou de modification et délivrer au titulaire un brevet d’addition portant la date du brevet révoqué.

3) Un brevet ne peut être délivré en tant que brevet d’addition si la date de dépôt du mémoire descriptif complet n’est pas la même que celle du mémoire concernant l’invention principale ou ne lui est pas postérieure.

4) Le sceau ne peut être apposé sur le brevet d’addition avant d’avoir été apposé sur le brevet protégeant l’invention principale; si le délai dans lequel, n’était la présente disposition, une requête en apposition du sceau sur un brevet d’addition peut être présentée en vertu de l’article27de la présente loi expire avant le délai dans lequel une requête en apposition du sceau sur le brevet protégeant l’invention principale peut être ainsi présentée, la requête visant le brevet d’addition peut être présentée à tout moment dans ce dernier délai.

5) Le brevet d’addition est délivré pour une durée égale à celle du brevet protégeant l’invention principale, ou pour la durée de ce dernier restant à courir, et il demeure en vigueur pendant cette durée ou jusqu’à l’expiration, avant terme, de la validité du brevet protégeant l’invention principale, à l’exclusion de toute autre durée.

Toutefois,

a) si la durée du brevet protégeant l’invention principale est prorogée en vertu des précédentes dispositions de la présente loi, la durée du brevet d’addition peut être prorogée en conséquence; et

b) si le brevet protégeant l’invention principale est révoqué en vertu de la présente loi, le tribunal ou le commissaire, selon le cas, peut décider que le brevet d’addition deviendra un brevet indépendant pour le reste de la durée du brevet susmentionné; dès lors, le brevet d’addition demeure en vigueur en tant que brevet indépendant.

6) Aucune taxe de renouvellement n’est exigible pour un brevet d’addition; néanmoins, si ce brevet devient un brevet indépendant à la suite d’une décision prise en vertu de l’alinéa 5) ci-dessus, les mêmes taxes devront ensuite être acquittées, aux mêmes dates, que si le brevet avait été délivré d’emblée en tant que brevet indépendant.

7) La délivrance d’un brevet d’addition ne peut être refusée, et un brevet délivré en tant que brevet d’addition ne peut être révoqué ou invalidé, au seul motif que l’invention revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet n’implique aucune activité inventive par rapport à la publication ou à l’exploitation

a) de l’invention principale décrite dans le mémoire descriptif complet correspondant ou

b) de tout perfectionnement ou modification de l’invention principale décrit dans le mémoire descriptif complet d’un brevet d’addition au brevet protégeant cette invention ou d’une demande de brevet d’addition,

et la validité du brevet d’addition ne peut être contestée au motif que l’invention aurait dû faire l’objet d’un brevet indépendant.

8) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Restauration des brevets et des demandes de brevet tombés en déchéance

Restauration des brevets tombés en déchéance

Art. 35. — 1) Si un brevet a cessé de produire ses effets pour défaut de paiement de la taxe de renouvellement dans le délai prescrit ou dans ce délai tel qu’il a été prorogé en vertu de l’article 30 de la présente loi, et que le commissaire, saisi d’une demande de restauration, acquiert la conviction que ce défaut de paiement n’était pas intentionnel et qu’il n’y a pas eu de retard injustifié dans la présentation ou la suite donnée à la demande, il ordonne la restauration du brevet, et de tout brevet d’addition mentionné dans la demande, qui a cessé de produire ses effets lors de la déchéance du brevet principal.

2) La demande visée au présent article peut être présentée par la personne qui était titulaire du brevet ou par son exécuteur testamentaire; si le brevet appartenait à plusieurs personnes conjointement, la demande peut, avec l’autorisation du commissaire, être présentée par l’une ou plusieurs d’entre elles, sans que les autres y soient associées.

3) Une demande présentée en vertu du présent article doit comprendre une déclaration, à certifier exacte de la manière prescrite, exposant en détail les circonstances qui ont occasionné le défaut de paiement de la taxe de renouvellement; le commissaire peut exiger du demandeur tous autres moyens de preuve qu’il jugera nécessaires.

4) Lorsque, après avoir entendu le demandeur, si celui-ci le réclame ou si lui-même le juge opportun, le commissaire est convaincu qu’il s’agit d’un cas paraissant de prime abord justifier la décision visée au présent article, il publie la demande dans le bulletin; dans le délai prescrit, toute personne peut former opposition à la demande auprès du commissaire pour l’un des motifs suivants ou les deux :

a) le défaut de paiement de la taxe de renouvellement était intentionnel; b) la demande a été présentée avec un retard injustifié.

5) S’il est formé opposition dans le délai susmentionné, le commissaire en avise le demandeur et, avant de se prononcer, lui donne, ainsi qu’à l’opposant, la possibilité d’être entendu.

6) S’il n’a pas été formé opposition dans le délai susmentionné ou si, en cas d’opposition, la décision du commissaire est favorable au demandeur, le commissaire, moyennant le paiement de toute taxe de renouvellement restant due et de toute taxe additionnelle qui pourra être fixée, prend une ordonnance allant dans le sens de la demande.

7) L’ordonnance de restauration du brevet visée au présent article

a) peut être prise sous réserve des conditions que le commissaire juge opportunes, notamment une condition exigeant l’inscription au registre des brevets de tout élément pour lequel les dispositions de la présente loi concernant l’inscription au registre n’ont pas été observées; et

b) doit énoncer toutes prescriptions nécessaires pour protéger les personnes qui auraient commencé à utiliser l’invention brevetée entre la date où le brevet a cessé de produire ses effets et celle de la demande formulée en vertu du présent article, ou être subordonnée à de telles prescriptions,

et, si le titulaire du brevet ne se conforme pas à une condition inhérente à une ordonnance prise en vertu du présent article, le commissaire peut, après lui avoir accordé la possibilité d’être entendu, révoquer l’ordonnance et donner les instructions qu’il juge utiles en conséquence.

8) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Restauration de la demande de brevet en cas de non-apposition du sceau

Art. 36. — 1) Si un brevet n’a pas été marqué du sceau au seul motif que la requête prescrite n’a pas été faite dans le délai prévu à l’article27 de la présente loi et si le commissaire acquiert la conviction, à la suite d’une demande présentée par le déposant, que le défaut de présentation de la requête n’était pas intentionnel et qu’il n’y a pas eu de retard injustifié dans la présentation de la demande, il peut ordonner que le sceau soit apposé sur le brevet nonobstant la non-présentation de la requête prescrite selon les modalités ci-dessus.

2) Une demande présentée en vertu du présent article doit comprendre une déclaration, à certifier exacte de la manière prescrite, exposant en détail les circonstances qui ont occasionné le défaut de présentation de la requête prescrite; le commissaire peut exiger du demandeur tous autres moyens de preuve qu’il jugera nécessaires.

3) Lorsque, après avoir entendu le demandeur, si celui-ci le réclame ou si lui-même le juge opportun, le commissaire est convaincu qu’il s’agit d’un cas paraissant de prime abord justifier la décision visée au présent article, il publie la demande dans le bulletin; dans le délai prescrit, toute personne peut former opposition à la demande auprès du

commissaire au motif que le défaut de présentation de la requête prescrite était intentionnel ou que la demande a été présentée avec un retard injustifié.

4) S’il est formé opposition dans le délai susmentionné, le commissaire en avise le demandeur et, avant de se prononcer, lui donne, ainsi qu’à l’opposant, la possibilité d’être entendu.

5) S’il n’est pas formé opposition dans le délai susmentionné ou si, en cas d’opposition, la décision du commissaire est favorable au demandeur, le commissaire, moyennant le paiement de la taxe prescrite pour la présentation de la requête en apposition du sceau et de toute taxe additionnelle qui pourra être fixée, prend une ordonnance allant dans le sens de la demande.

6) L’ordonnance prise en vertu du présent article en vue de l’apposition du sceau sur un brevet doit énoncer toutes prescriptions nécessaires pour protéger les personnes qui auraient commencé à utiliser l’invention entre la date d’expiration du délai prévu à l’article 27 de la présente loi pour la présentation de la requête prescrite et celle de la demande formulée en vertu du présent article, ou être subordonnée à de telles prescriptions.

7) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Restauration de la demande de brevet en cas de rejet du mémoire descriptif complet

Art. 37. — 1) Si le déposant d’une demande de brevet ne s’est pas acquitté des obligations qui lui incombent en vertu de la présente loi dans le délai prévu à l’article19 , ou prorogé par le commissaire en vertu dudit article ou de l’article93 , et si la demande est en conséquence frappée de nullité, le déposant peut demander au commissaire, dans les formes prescrites, de prendre une ordonnance restaurant la demande et prorogeant jusqu’à une date spécifiée dans cette ordonnance le délai fixé pour l’exécution des obligations qui lui incombent en vertu de la présente loi.

2) Toute demande de ce type doit comprendre un exposé des motifs qui ont empêché le déposant de s’acquitter des obligations qui lui incombent en vertu de la présente loi.

3) S’il ressort de cet exposé que l’omission de la part du déposant n’était pas intentionnelle et qu’il n’y a pas eu de retard injustifié dans la présentation de la demande, le commissaire publie la demande et, dans le délai prescrit, toute personne peut former opposition auprès de l’office des brevets.

4) S’il est formé opposition, le commissaire en avise le déposant.

5) À l’expiration du délai prescrit, le commissaire se prononce et prend une ordonnance

a) restaurant la demande de brevet et prorogeant d’une durée qui est indiquée dans cette ordonnance le délai dans lequel le déposant doit satisfaire aux obligations qui lui incombent en vertu de la présente loi ou

b) rejetant la demande. 6) L’ordonnance prise en vertu du présent article doit énoncer toutes prescriptions

nécessaires pour protéger les personnes qui auraient utilisé l’invention visée par la demande de brevet entre la date d’expiration du délai prescrit à l’article19 de la présente loi et toute prorogation de ce délai accordée au déposant en vertu dudit article ou de l’article 93 pour lui permettre de s’acquitter de toutes les obligations qui lui incombent en vertu de la présente loi, et la date de la demande formulée en vertu du présent article.

7) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en application du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Modification du mémoire descriptif

Modification du mémoire descriptif avec l’autorisation du commissaire

Art. 38. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 40 de la présente loi, le commissaire peut, sur demande formulée en vertu du présent article par le titulaire d’un brevet ou par un déposant à tout moment après l’acceptation du mémoire descriptif complet, autoriser la modification du mémoire sous réserve, le cas échéant, des conditions que le commissaire juge appropriées.

Toutefois, le commissaire ne peut autoriser la modification d’un mémoire en vertu du présent article à la suite d’une demande présentée alors qu’une action en contrefaçon ou toute autre procédure en révocation du brevet est en instance devant le tribunal.

2) Toute demande d’autorisation de modifier un mémoire descriptif en vertu du présent article doit exposer la nature de la modification proposée et préciser les motifs de la demande.

3) Toute demande d’autorisation de modifier un mémoire descriptif en vertu du présent article, précisant la nature de la modification proposée, est publiée de la manière prescrite.

Toutefois, lorsque la demande est présentée avant la publication du mémoire descriptif complet, le commissaire peut, s’il le juge utile, renoncer à procéder à la publication visée au présent alinéa ou en ordonner l’ajournement jusqu’à la publication du mémoire.

4) Après la publication d’une demande formulée en vertu du présent article, toute personne peut former opposition auprès du commissaire dans le délai prescrit; s’il est formé opposition dans ce délai, le commissaire en avise le demandeur et, avant de se prononcer, lui donne, ainsi qu’à l’opposant, la possibilité d’être entendu.

5) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

6) Le présent article ne s’applique pas en cas de modification d’un mémoire descriptif au cours d’une procédure d’opposition à la délivrance d’un brevet ou lors d’un renvoi, devant le commissaire, d’un litige concernant la violation ou la validité d’une revendication, ni dans le cas d’une modification effectuée en application d’une

disposition de la présente loi autorisant le commissaire à ordonner l’insertion d’un renvoi à un autre mémoire descriptif ou à un autre brevet, à refuser la délivrance d’un brevet ou à révoquer un brevet à moins que le mémoire ne soit modifié d’une façon qu’il juge satisfaisante.

Modification du mémoire descriptif avec l’autorisation du tribunal

Art. 39. — 1) Dans toute action pour atteinte à un brevet ou toute procédure en révocation d’un brevet engagée devant le tribunal, celui-ci peut, sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 40 ci-après, autoriser par ordonnance le titulaire du brevet à modifier son mémoire descriptif complet de la manière, et sous réserve de conditions concernant des éléments tels que frais, publications, etc., que le tribunal juge appropriées; si, dans une procédure en révocation, le tribunal décide que le brevet n’est pas valable, il peut autoriser la modification du mémoire en vertu du présent article, au lieu de révoquer le brevet.

2) Si le tribunal est saisi d’une demande l’invitant à rendre une ordonnance en vertu du présent article, le déposant notifie sa demande au commissaire, qui a le droit de comparaître et d’être entendu, et qui est tenu de comparaître si le tribunal l’ordonne.

Dispositions complémentaires concernant la modification du mémoire descriptif

Art. 40. — 1) Après acceptation d’un mémoire descriptif complet, une modification ne peut y être apportée que par voie de retrait d’une revendication, de rectification ou d’explication, et aucune modification n’est autorisée si ce n’est pour corriger une erreur manifeste dont l’effet serait que le mémoire modifié revendiquerait ou décrirait un élément qui n’était pas divulgué, pour l’essentiel, dans le mémoire avant la modification, ou qu’une revendication du mémoire modifié n’aurait plus toute la portée d’une revendication avant modification.

2) Si, après la date de publication du mémoire descriptif complet, une modification du mémoire est autorisée ou approuvée par le commissaire ou par le tribunal, le droit du titulaire du brevet ou du déposant d’apporter cette modification ne peut pas être contesté, sauf pour cause de tromperie; la modification est réputée, devant tous les tribunaux et à tous égards, faire partie du mémoire descriptif.

Toutefois, dans toute interprétation du mémoire descriptif modifié, un renvoi peut être fait au mémoire tel qu’il a été publié à l’origine.

3) Si, après la date de publication du mémoire descriptif complet, une modification du mémoire est autorisée ou approuvée selon les modalités indiquées ci-dessus, la modification fait l’objet d’un avis publié dans le bulletin.

Révocation du brevet et renonciation au brevet

Révocation du brevet par le tribunal

Art. 41. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de la présente loi, le tribunal peut, à la demande de toute personne intéressée, révoquer un brevet pour l’un des motifs suivants :

a) l’invention, telle qu’elle est exposée dans une revendication de mémoire descriptif complet, était décrite dans une revendication valable, portant une date de priorité antérieure et figurant dans le mémoire descriptif complet d’un autre brevet délivré en Nouvelle-Zélande;

b) le brevet a été délivré à la demande d’une personne qui n’était pas en droit de le demander en vertu de la présente loi;

c) le brevet a été obtenu en violation des droits de la personne qui saisit le tribunal ou d’une personne dont elle est le représentant ou l’ayant cause;

d) l’objet d’une revendication du mémoire descriptif complet ne constitue pas une invention au sens de la présente loi;

e) l’invention, telle qu’elle est exposée dans une revendication du mémoire descriptif complet, n’est pas nouvelle par rapport à des éléments qui étaient connus ou exploités avant la date de priorité de la revendication en Nouvelle- Zélande;

f) l’invention, telle qu’elle est exposée dans une revendication du mémoire descriptif complet, est évidente et n’implique aucune activité inventive par rapport à des éléments qui étaient connus et exploités avant la date de priorité de la revendication en Nouvelle-Zélande;

g) l’invention, telle qu’elle est revendiquée dans le mémoire descriptif complet, n’est pas utile;

h) le mémoire descriptif complet ne décrit pas suffisamment et objectivement l’invention et son mode d’exploitation, ou ne divulgue pas le meilleur mode d’exploitation connu du déposant de la demande de brevet et pour lequel il était en droit de demander une protection;

i) la portée d’une revendication du mémoire descriptif complet n’est pas suffisamment et clairement définie ou la revendication n’est pas suffisamment fondée sur les éléments divulgués dans le mémoire;

j) le brevet a été obtenu sur la base de prétentions ou de déclarations fallacieuses;

k) [abrogé]; l) l’invention, telle qu’elle est exposé dans une revendication du mémoire

descriptif complet, était utilisée secrètement en Nouvelle-Zélande, autrement que dans les cas visés à l’alinéa 2) ci-après, avant la date de priorité de cette revendication;

m) le brevet a été délivré en violation de la loi. 2) Aux fins du sous-alinéa l) de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, il n’est pas tenu compte de

l’utilisation de l’invention

a) réalisée à seule fin de procéder à des essais ou à des expériences légitimes;

b) par une administration ou une personne autorisée par une administration, à la suite de la communication ou de la divulgation directe ou indirecte de l’invention, par le déposant de la demande de brevet ou par toute personne dont il est l’ayant cause, à une administration ou à une personne autorisée par celle-ci;

c) par toute autre personne, à la suite de la communication ou de la divulgation de l’invention par le déposant de la demande de brevet ou par toute personne dont il est l’ayant cause, sans l’autorisation ou l’accord du déposant ou de toute personne dont il est l’ayant cause;

aux fins du sous-alinéa e) ou f) de l’alinéa 1), il n’est en aucun cas tenu compte d’une exploitation secrète.

3) Sans préjudice des dispositions de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, le tribunal peut révoquer un brevet

a) à la demande d’une administration s’il a acquis la conviction que le titulaire a omis sans motif valable de déférer à une demande formulée par cette administration à l’effet de fabriquer, utiliser ou exploiter l’invention brevetée pour les services de la Couronne à des conditions équitables ou

b) à la demande de toute personne qui n’est pas normalement habilitée à formuler une telle demande en vertu du présent article et qui a obtenu l’accord écrit du procureur général [Attorney-General].

4) Tout motif de révocation du brevet peut être invoqué comme moyen de défense dans une action en contrefaçon.

Révocation du brevet par le commissaire

Art. 42. — 1) À tout moment dans les 12 mois qui suivent l’apposition du sceau sur un brevet, toute personne intéressée qui n’a pas formé opposition à la délivrance du brevet peut demander au commissaire une ordonnance de révocation pour un ou plusieurs des motifs qui auraient pu justifier une opposition à la délivrance du brevet.

Toutefois, lorsqu’une action en contrefaçon ou une procédure en révocation sont en instance devant le tribunal, le commissaire ne peut être saisi d’une demande en vertu du présent article sans l’autorisation expresse du tribunal.

2) Si une demande est formulée en vertu du présent article, le commissaire en avise le titulaire du brevet et, avant de se prononcer, donne au demandeur et au titulaire la possibilité d’être entendus.

3) Si, à la suite d’une demande présentée en vertu du présent article, le commissaire est convaincu de l’existence de l’un des motifs susmentionnés, il peut décider, par voie d’ordonnance, de révoquer le brevet, inconditionnellement ou sous réserve que, dans le délai spécifié dans l’ordonnance, le mémoire descriptif complet soit modifié de manière satisfaisante.

Toutefois, le commissaire ne peut prendre d’ordonnance de révocation inconditionnelle en vertu du présent article que si les circonstances sont telles qu’il aurait

été fondé à refuser le brevet dans une procédure engagée en vertu de l’article21 de la présente loi.

4) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Renonciation au brevet

Art. 43. — 1) Le titulaire d’un brevet peut à tout moment, aviser le commissaire, qu’il propose de renoncer à son brevet.

2) Le commissaire publie toute proposition de renonciation de la manière prescrite; toute personne intéressée peut ensuite, dans le délai prescrit, former opposition à la renonciation auprès du commissaire.

3) S’il est formé opposition dans les formes prescrites, le commissaire en avise le titulaire du brevet.

4) Si le commissaire, après avoir entendu, à leur demande, le titulaire du brevet et l’opposant, est convaincu de l’opportunité de la renonciation au brevet, il peut accepter la proposition et prendre une ordonnance de révocation du brevet.

5) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Licences de droit

Mise sous le régime de la licence de droit

Art. 44. — 1) À tout moment après l’apposition du sceau sur un brevet, le titulaire peut demander au commissaire que le brevet porte aussi la mention «licences of right» [licences de droit]; dans ce cas, le commissaire notifie la demande à toute personne inscrite au registre comme ayant un droit sur le brevet et si, après avoir donné à cette personne la possibilité d’être entendue, il est convaincu qu’il n’est pas interdit par contrat au titulaire du brevet d’accorder des licences, le commissaire fait apposer la mention demandée.

2) Lorsqu’un brevet est mis sous le régime de la licence de droit en vertu du présent article,

a) toute personne a droit, à tout moment, à l’octroi d’une licence au titre du brevet dans les conditions qui peuvent, à défaut d’accord, être fixées par le commissaire sur requête du titulaire ou du preneur de licence;

b) le commissaire peut, sur demande du titulaire d’une licence accordée au titre du brevet avant la mise sous le régime de la licence de droit, ordonner que ladite licence soit remplacée par une licence de droit aux conditions susmentionnées;

c) si, dans une procédure pour atteinte au brevet (autre que l’importation de marchandises) le défendeur s’engage à prendre une licence aux conditions

fixées par le commissaire comme il est dit ci-dessus, aucune ordonnance n’est prise à son encontre et le montant des éventuels dommages-intérêts qui lui seront imputés ne peut excéder le double de la somme qu’il aurait dû payer comme titulaire de licence si une licence lui avait été accordée avant la première atteinte;

d) la taxe de renouvellement payable pour le brevet après la date de mise sous le régime de la licence de droit correspond à la moitié de la taxe qui serait exigible si le brevet n’avait pas été mis sous ce régime.

3) Après la mise du brevet sous le régime de la licence de droit en vertu du présent article, le titulaire d’une licence est habilité (sauf si, dans le cas d’une licence assortie de conditions fixées d’un commun accord, la licence elle-même en dispose autrement de façon expresse) à demander au titulaire du brevet d’introduire une action pour prévenir une atteinte au brevet; si celui-ci refuse ou néglige de s’exécuter dans un délai de deux mois après y avoir été invité, le titulaire de la licence peut engager l’action pour atteinte au brevet en son propre nom comme s’il était le titulaire du brevet, celui-ci se trouvant alors en position de défendeur.

Toutefois, le titulaire du brevet ainsi devenu défendeur n’est pas tenu aux frais et dépens à moins de comparaître lui-même et de prendre part à la procédure.

4) La demande de mise sous le régime de la licence de droit qui est présentée en vertu de cet article doit contenir une déclaration, certifiée exacte de la manière prescrite, selon laquelle il n’est pas interdit par contrat au titulaire d’accorder des licences au titre de son brevet; le commissaire peut exiger du demandeur tous autres moyens de preuve qu’il juge nécessaires.

5) Toute demande de mise d’un brevet d’addition sous le régime de la licence de droit qui est soumise en vertu du présent article est réputée porter aussi sur le brevet protégeant l’invention principale; toute demande de mise d’un brevet principal sous le régime de la licence de droit est réputée porter aussi sur le ou les brevets d’addition; si un brevet d’addition est délivré au titre d’un brevet principal déjà soumis au régime de la licence de droit en vertu du présent article, il est lui aussi soumis à ce régime.

6) La mise d’un brevet sous le régime de la licence de droit en vertu du présent article est inscrite au registre des brevets et publiée dans le bulletin et de toute autre manière que le commissaire juge souhaitable pour que ce fait soit porté à la connaissance des fabricants.

7) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Annulation du régime de la licence de droit accordé en vertu de l’article 44

Art. 45. — 1) À tout moment après qu’un brevet a été mis sous le régime de la licence de droit en vertu de l’article44 ci-dessus, le titulaire peut demander au commissaire l’annulation de ce régime; lorsqu’une demande dans ce sens est présentée, et après versement du solde de toutes les taxes de renouvellement qui auraient été exigibles

si le brevet n’avait pas été mis sous le régime de la licence de droit, le commissaire peut, s’il est convaincu qu’il n’existe pas de licence pour ce brevet ou que tous les titulaires de licence y consentent, annuler le régime de la licence de droit.

2) Dans le délai prescrit après la mise du brevet sous le régime de la licence de droit aux conditions susmentionnées, toute personne qui prétend que le titulaire n’est pas, et n’était pas à l’époque de la mise sous ce régime, autorisé à accorder des licences, en vertu d’un contrat par lequel cette personne est elle-même concernée, peut demander au commissaire d’annuler le régime de la licence de droit.

3) Si le commissaire est convaincu, à la suite d’une demande formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus, que le titulaire du brevet n’a pas et n’avait pas l’autorisation susmentionnée, il annule le régime de la licence de droit; dès lors, le titulaire est astreint à payer, dans le délai qui pourra être prescrit, une somme égale au solde de toutes les taxes de renouvellement qui auraient été exigibles si le brevet n’avait pas été mis sous ce régime; en cas de défaut de paiement de ladite somme en temps voulu, le brevet cesse de produire ses effets à l’expiration du délai.

4) Lorsque le régime de la licence de droit est annulé en vertu du présent article, le titulaire du brevet a les mêmes droits et obligations que s’il n’y avait pas eu ce changement de régime.

5) Le commissaire publie de la manière prescrite toute demande qui lui est adressée en vertu du présent article; dans le délai prescrit qui suit cette publication,

a) s’agissant d’une demande formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, toute personne intéressée ou,

b) s’agissant d’une demande formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus, le titulaire du brevet

peut notifier au commissaire son opposition à l’annulation.

6) Si une opposition est ainsi notifiée, le commissaire en avise l’auteur de la demande et, avant de se prononcer, il donne à l’auteur et à l’opposant la possibilité d’être entendus.

7) Toute requête en annulation de régime de la licence de droit pour un brevet d’addition, présentée en vertu de cet article, est réputée porter aussi sur le brevet protégeant l’invention principale; toute requête en annulation de régime de la licence de droit pour un brevet principal, présentée en vertu de cet article, est réputée porter aussi sur le ou les brevets d’addition.

8) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Licences obligatoires, etc.

Licence obligatoire

Art. 46. — 1) À tout moment après l’expiration d’un délai de trois ans à compter de la date d’apposition du sceau sur le brevet, ou de quatre ans à compter de la date de délivrance du brevet, selon celle des deux dates qui est la plus récente, toute personne intéressée peut demander au tribunal, pour l’un quelconque des motifs énoncés à l’alinéa 2) du présent article, une licence d’exploitation du brevet.

2) Les motifs pour lesquels une licence peut être accordée en vertu du présent article sont qu’un marché pour l’invention brevetée n’est pas approvisionné, ou ne l’est pas à des conditions équitables, en Nouvelle-Zélande.

3) Sous réserve des alinéas 4), 5), 6) et 7) ci-après, si le tribunal est convaincu que l’un ou l’autre des motifs visés à l’alinéa 2) sont établis, il peut rendre une ordonnance par laquelle il accorde une licence conformément à la demande aux conditions qu’il juge opportunes.

4) La licence accordée en vertu du présent article

a) n’est pas exclusive; b) ne peut être cédée qu’avec le fonds de commerce de l’entreprise dans laquelle

l’invention brevetée est utilisée;

c) est limitée à la mise sur le marché de l’objet breveté essentiellement en Nouvelle-Zélande.

5) Toute licence accordée en vertu du présent article peut, sur demande d’une partie intéressée, être annulée par le tribunal si celui-ci est convaincu que les raisons qui ont motivé l’octroi de la licence ont cessé d’exister.

6) Lorsqu’une licence est accordée à une personne en vertu du présent article, cette personne verse au titulaire du brevet la rémunération qui a été convenue ou qui peut être déterminée selon une méthode convenue entre cette personne et le titulaire ou, à défaut d’accord, qui est déterminée par le tribunal à la demande de cette personne ou du titulaire.

7) Une licence n’est accordée en vertu du présent article que si la personne qui en fait la demande, après avoir pris toutes mesures suffisantes à cet effet, n’a pas pu obtenir de licence du titulaire du brevet ou l’obtenir à des conditions équitables.

8) Il n’est pas accordé de licence en vertu du présent article pour un brevet relatif à un circuit intégré.

Art. 47. [Abrogé]

Exercice des pouvoirs prévus dans le cas des demandes visées à l’article 46

Art. 48. Les pouvoirs conférés au tribunal à l’égard d’une demande faite en vertu de l’article 46 de la présente loi sont exercés en vue d’assurer à l’inventeur ou à toute autre personne ayant un droit d’usufruit sur un brevet une rémunération équitable eu égard à la nature de l’invention.

Art. 49 à 53. [Abrogés]

Dispositions complémentaires

Art. 54. — 1) Toute ordonnance prise en vertu de la présente loi et visant l’octroi d’une licence produit, sans préjudice de tout autre moyen d’exécution, les mêmes effets qu’un acte, signé par le titulaire du brevet et toutes les autres parties requises, accordant une licence conformément à l’ordonnance.

2) [Abrogé]

3) Il ne peut être pris, à la suite d’une demande formulée en vertu de l’article46 de la présente loi, aucune ordonnance qui serait contraire à un traité, une convention, un arrangement ou un engagement applicable à la Nouvelle-Zélande et à tout pays contractant.

Utilisation d’inventions brevetées pour les services de la Couronne

Utilisation d’inventions brevetées pour les services de la Couronne

Art. 55. — 1) Sous réserve des articles 58A à 58C de la présente loi, mais nonobstant toute autre disposition de celle-ci, toute administration et toute personne au bénéfice d’une autorisation écrite d’une administration peut fabriquer, utiliser, exploiter et vendre pour les services de la Couronne une invention brevetée et nul acte accompli en vertu du présent alinéa ne constitue une atteinte au brevet correspondant.

2) Aux fins du présent article et de l’article56,

a) toute utilisation d’une invention pour fournir au gouvernement d’un pays étranger, en vertu d’un accord ou arrangement conclu entre le Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Zélande et ledit gouvernement, des articles nécessaires à la défense dudit pays est réputée constituer une utilisation de l’invention pour les services de la Couronne;

b) le pouvoir conféré à une administration ou à une personne autorisée par une administration en vertu du présent article de fabriquer, utiliser, exploiter et vendre une invention brevetée comprend le pouvoir de vendre à toute personne tout produit fabriqué dans l’exercice des pouvoirs conférés par ledit article qui n’est plus nécessaire aux fins pour lesquelles il a été fabriqué;

c) le pouvoir conféré à une administration ou à une personne autorisée par une administration en vertu du présent article de vendre une invention brevetée ne s’étend pas, dans le cas des brevets relatifs à un circuit intégré, à la vente au public.

3) Si le gouverneur général, par voie d’ordonnance en Conseil, déclare que l’utilisation d’une invention brevetée par une personne ou catégorie de personnes exerçant une activité particulière est nécessaire ou souhaitable pour permettre à la population de Nouvelle-Zélande de profiter pleinement de toute entreprise ou exploitation sur laquelle la Couronne ou une administration jouit d’un monopole total ou quasi total, cette utilisation de l’invention ou des inventions est réputée, aux fins du présent article et des articles 56 et 57 ci-après, constituer une utilisation pour les services de la Couronne.

4) L’acquéreur de produits vendus dans l’exercice des pouvoirs conférés par le présent article et toute personne qui fait valoir ses droits par l’intermédiaire de l’acquéreur sont habilités à traiter ces produits de la même manière que si le brevet était délivré au profit de la Couronne.

Droits des tiers concernant l’utilisation par la Couronne

Art. 56. — 1) En ce qui concerne toute utilisation d’une invention brevetée ou d’une invention pour laquelle une demande de brevet est en instance, faite pour les services de la Couronne

a) par une administration ou une personne autorisée par une administration en vertu de l’article 55 ci-dessus ou

b) par le titulaire du brevet ou le déposant de la demande de brevet sur ordre d’une administration,

les dispositions de toute licence, cession ou convention intervenue avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi entre le titulaire du brevet, le déposant de la demande de brevet ou toute personne qui est son ayant cause ou dont il est l’ayant cause, et toute partie autre qu’une administration, sont, sous réserve des articles 58A et 58C, sans effet si elles limitent ou réglementent l’utilisation de l’invention, ou de tout modèle, document ou renseignement s’y rapportant, ou prévoient des paiements afférents à cette utilisation ou calculés par rapport à cette utilisation; la reproduction ou la publication de tout modèle ou document en relation avec ladite utilisation n’est pas réputée constituer une atteinte à un droit d’auteur afférent au modèle ou au document.

2) à 4) [Abrogés]

Litiges concernant l’utilisation par la Couronne

Art. 57. — 1) Tout litige quant à l’exercice, par une administration ou une personne autorisée par une administration, des pouvoirs conférés par l’article 55 de la présente loi, ou quant aux conditions d’utilisation d’une invention pour les services de la Couronne en vertu de cet article, peut être porté devant le tribunal par l’une ou l’autre partie au litige, de la manière prescrite par le règlement du tribunal.

2) Dans toute procédure engagée en vertu du présent article à laquelle une administration est partie, celle-ci peut,

a) si le titulaire du brevet est partie à la procédure, demander la révocation du brevet pour l’un des motifs indiqués à l’article 41de la présente loi;

b) dans tous les cas, mettre en cause la validité du brevet sans en demander la révocation.

3) Pour trancher tout litige dont il est saisi en vertu du présent article, le tribunal tient compte

a) de toute prestation ou indemnité que le titulaire du brevet d’invention peut avoir reçu ou aurait le droit de recevoir, directement ou indirectement, d’une

administration ou d’une personne autorisée par une administration au titre de l’invention en question;

b) de la nécessité de faire en sorte que le titulaire du brevet perçoive une rémunération équitable eu égard à la nature de l’invention brevetée.

4) Dans toute action engagée en vertu du présent article, le tribunal peut ordonner à tout moment que l’ensemble de la procédure, ou toute question ou tout point de fait qu’elle soulève, soit renvoyé à un médiateur spécial ou officiel ou à un arbitre dans les conditions fixées par lui; toute mention du tribunal, dans les dispositions du présent article qui précèdent, sera interprétée en conséquence.

Dispositions particulières concernant l’utilisation par la Couronne en cas d’état d’urgence

Art. 58. Sous réserve des articles 58A à 58C ci-après, les pouvoirs que peut exercer, à l’égard d’une invention, une administration ou une personne autorisée par une administration en vertu de l’article55de la présente loi comprennent le pouvoir de fabriquer, d’utiliser, d’exploiter et de vendre l’invention brevetée à toutes fins qui lui paraît nécessaire ou opportune

a) pour éviter une atteinte à la sécurité ou à la défense de la Nouvelle-Zélande; ou

b) pour faciliter l’exercice des pouvoirs et la mise en œuvre des moyens de défense civile en cas d’urgence nationale en vertu de l’article 46 de la loi de 1983 sur la défense civile [Civil Defence Act 1983] ou en cas d’urgence nationale touchant la défense civile en vertu de l’article 50 de ladite loi.

Nature et étendue des droits prévus à l’article 55

Art. 58A. — 1) Le droit d’utiliser une invention brevetée en vertu de l’article 55 de la présente loi

a) n’est pas exclusif; b) ne peut être cédé qu’avec le fonds de commerce de l’entreprise dans laquelle

l’invention est utilisée;

c) est limité, nonobstant l’alinéa 2)a) de l’article susmentionné, à la mise sur le marché de l’objet breveté, essentiellement en Nouvelle-Zélande, par une administration ou une personne autorisée par une administration en vertu dudit article.

2) À la demande de toute partie intéressée, le tribunal peut mettre un terme au droit d’utiliser une invention brevetée en vertu de l’article 55 de la présente loi si elle est convaincue que les circonstances ayant donné naissance à ce droit ont cessé d’exister sans probabilité de retour.

3) À l’exception des cas où l’article58ci-dessus s’applique, le droit d’utiliser une invention brevetée en vertu de l’article55est subordonné à la prise préalable, par l’administration ou la personne autorisée par une administration en vertu de l’article55 ,

de toutes mesures appropriées pour obtenir le consentement du titulaire du brevet à cette utilisation selon des conditions et modalités équitables et à la non-obtention de ce consentement dans un délai raisonnable.

Devoir d’informer le titulaire du brevet

Art. 58B. — 1) Lorsqu’une invention brevetée est utilisée par une administration ou avec son autorisation en vertu de l’article 55de la présente loi, cette administration en avise, dès que possible après le début de l’utilisation, le titulaire du brevet, et elle lui fournit l’information dont il peut avoir besoin périodiquement en ce qui concerne l’étendue de cette utilisation.

2) Nulle disposition de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus n’oblige l’administration à aviser le titulaire du brevet ou à lui divulguer une information si cet acte est préjudiciable à la sécurité ou à la défense de la Nouvelle-Zélande, ou peut raisonnablement être supposé tel.

Rémunération à laquelle a droit le titulaire du brevet

Art. 58C. Lorsqu’un acte est accompli en vertu de l’article55 de la présente loi, la Couronne verse au titulaire du brevet la rémunération qui a été convenue ou qui peut être déterminée selon une méthode fixée d’un commun accord avec le titulaire, ou qui, à défaut d’accord, peut être déterminée par le tribunal en vertu de l’article57 .

Antériorité, etc.

Publication antérieure

Art. 59. — 1) Une invention revendiquée dans un mémoire descriptif complet n’est pas réputée faire l’objet d’une antériorité au seul motif qu’elle a été publiée en Nouvelle- Zélande

a) dans un mémoire descriptif déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet présentée en Nouvelle-Zélande et datée de plus de 50 ans avant la date de dépôt du mémoire susmentionné;

b) dans un mémoire décrivant l’invention en vue d’une demande de protection dans un pays étranger présentée plus de 50 ans avant cette date; ou

c) dans tout abrégé ou extrait d’un tel mémoire descriptif publié sous l’autorité du commissaire ou du gouvernement d’un pays étranger.

2) Sous réserve des dispositions ci-après, une invention revendiquée dans un mémoire descriptif complet n’est pas réputée faire l’objet d’une antériorité au seul motif qu’elle a été publiée avant la date de priorité de la revendication pertinente accompagnant le mémoire, si le titulaire du brevet ou le déposant de la demande de brevet établit

a) que les éléments publiés ont été fournis par lui ou, s’il n’est pas lui-même le véritable et premier inventeur, par une personne dont il est l’ayant cause, et

ont été publiés sans son consentement ou sans le consentement de cette personne; et

b) si le titulaire du brevet ou le déposant de la demande de brevet ou la personne dont il est l’ayant cause a eu connaissance de la publication avant la date de la demande de brevet ou, dans le cas d’une demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, avant la date de la demande de protection dans le pays contractant, que la demande ou la demande dans le pays contractant, selon le cas, a été présentée dès qu’il était légitimement possible de le faire.

Toutefois, le présent alinéa ne s’applique pas lorsque l’invention a fait l’objet, avant la date de priorité de la revendication, d’une exploitation industrielle en Nouvelle- Zélande, si ce n’est en vue d’essais justifiés, soit par le titulaire du brevet ou le déposant de la demande de brevet, soit par une personne dont il est l’ayant cause ou par une autre personne avec le consentement du titulaire ou du déposant, ou de toute personne dont il est l’ayant cause.

3) Si un mémoire descriptif complet est déposé à l’appui d’une demande de brevet présentée par une personne qui est le véritable et premier inventeur ou qui en est l’ayant cause, une invention revendiquée dans le mémoire n’est pas réputée faire l’objet d’une antériorité au seul motif du dépôt d’une autre demande de brevet pour la même invention, présentée en violation des droits de cette personne, ou au seul motif qu’après la date du dépôt de cette autre demande l’invention a été exploitée ou publiée, sans le consentement de cette personne, par le déposant de l’autre demande, ou par toute autre personne à la suite de la divulgation de l’invention par ce déposant.

4) Nonobstant toute disposition de la présente loi, le commissaire ne peut refuser d’accepter un mémoire descriptif complet ou de délivrer un brevet, et un brevet ne peut être révoqué ou invalidé, du seul fait de circonstances qui, en vertu du présent article, n’impliquent pas d’antériorité par rapport à l’invention revendiquée dans le mémoire.

Communication, exposition ou exploitation industrielle antérieures

Art. 60. — 1) Une invention revendiquée dans un mémoire descriptif complet n’est pas réputée faire l’objet d’une antériorité du seul fait de sa communication à une administration ou à une personne autorisée par une administration à examiner l’invention ou son bien-fondé ou en raison d’une démarche accomplie à la suite d’une communication aux fins de cet examen.

2) Une invention revendiquée dans un mémoire descriptif complet n’est pas réputée faire l’objet d’une antériorité du seul fait

a) de sa présentation, avec le consentement du véritable et premier inventeur, dans une exposition internationale ou industrielle annoncée comme telle par le commissaire dans un avis publié dans le bulletin, que l’exposition se tienne en Nouvelle-Zélande ou à l’étranger, ou de l’usage de l’invention avec le consentement dudit inventeur aux fins de l’exposition au lieu où celle-ci se tient;

b) de la publication d’une description de l’invention à la suite de cette présentation ou de cet usage dans une exposition comme il est dit ci-dessus;

c) de son utilisation, après qu’elle a été présentée ou utilisée dans une exposition, comme il est dit ci-dessus, et pendant la durée de l’exposition, par une personne sans le consentement du véritable et premier inventeur; ou

d) de sa description dans une communication lue par le véritable et premier inventeur devant une société savante ou publiée avec son consentement dans les comptes rendus des réunions de cette société,

si la demande de brevet est présentée par le véritable et premier inventeur, ou son ayant cause, six mois au plus tard après l’ouverture de l’exposition ou la lecture ou la publication de la communication, selon le cas.

3) Une invention revendiquée dans un mémoire descriptif complet n’est pas réputée faire l’objet d’une antériorité du seul fait qu’à tout moment, dans le délai d’un an précédant la date de priorité de la revendication pertinente associée au mémoire, l’invention a fait l’objet d’une exploitation industrielle publique en Nouvelle-Zélande

a) par le titulaire du brevet ou le déposant de la demande de brevet ou par toute personne qui est son ayant cause; ou

b) par toute autre personne avec le consentement du titulaire ou du déposant ou de toute personne qui est son ayant cause,

si l’exploitation a été effectuée en vue seulement d’essais justifiés et s’il était vraiment nécessaire, eu égard à la nature de l’invention, que cette exploitation soit publique.

Utilisation et publication après dépôt d’un mémoire descriptif provisoire ou d’une demande de brevet étrangère

Art. 61. — 1) Si un mémoire descriptif complet est déposé ou pris en considération à la suite d’une demande qui était accompagnée d’un mémoire descriptif provisoire ou d’un mémoire descriptif considéré, en vertu d’une décision prise en application de l’article 9.4) de la présente loi, comme un mémoire provisoire, en ce cas, nonobstant toute disposition de la présente loi, le commissaire ne peut refuser de délivrer le brevet et le brevet ne peut être révoqué ou invalidé au seul motif qu’un élément décrit dans le mémoire provisoire ou dans le mémoire considéré comme tel a été utilisé ou publié à un moment quelconque après la date de dépôt du mémoire descriptif complet.

2) Si un mémoire descriptif complet est déposé à l’appui d’une demande fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant, en ce cas, nonobstant toute disposition de la présente loi, le commissaire ne peut refuser de délivrer le brevet et le brevet ne peut être révoqué ou invalidé au seul motif qu’un élément divulgué dans la demande de protection dans un pays contractant sur laquelle est fondée la demande a été utilisé ou publié à un moment quelconque après la date de la demande de protection.

Date de priorité en cas d’obtention d’un brevet

Art. 62. Lorsqu’une demande de brevet est présentée pour une invention qui a été revendiquée dans un mémoire descriptif complet déposé à l’appui d’une autre demande de brevet,

a) si le commissaire a refusé de délivrer un brevet à la suite de cette autre demande pour le motif visé à l’article 21.1)a) de la présente loi;

b) si un brevet délivré à la suite de cette autre demande a été révoqué par le tribunal ou par le commissaire pour le motif visé à l’article21.1)a ou 41.1)c) de la présente loi; ou

c) si le mémoire descriptif complet déposé à l’appui de l’autre demande susmentionnée a été, dans la procédure prévue à l’article21 ou 42 de la présente loi, modifié par l’exclusion de la revendication relative à l’invention du fait que le commissaire a constaté que l’invention avait été obtenue d’une autre personne par le déposant de la demande ou le titulaire du brevet,

le commissaire peut ordonner que la première demande mentionnée et tout mémoire descriptif déposé à l’appui de cette demande soient réputés, aux fins des dispositions de la présente loi relatives à la date de priorité des revendications associées à un mémoire descriptif complet, avoir été déposés à la date à laquelle le document correspondant a été ou est réputé avoir été déposé dans la procédure concernant cette autre demande.

Dispositions diverses concernant les droits afférents à des inventions

Copropriété des brevets

Art. 63. — 1) Si, après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, un brevet est délivré à deux ou plusieurs personnes, chacune d’elles a droit, sauf convention contraire, à une part indivise égale du brevet.

2) Sous réserve des dispositions du présent article et de l’article 64, si deux ou plusieurs personnes sont inscrites au registre en qualité de titulaires ou de propriétaires d’un brevet, chacune d’elles a, sauf convention contraire, le droit, par elle-même ou par l’intermédiaire de ses agents, de fabriquer, d’utiliser, d’exploiter et de vendre l’invention brevetée, à son propre profit, sans en rendre compte à l’autre ou aux autres personnes.

3) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 64de la présente loi, et de toute convention en vigueur, une licence au titre d’un brevet ne peut être accordée, et une part du brevet ne peut être cédée qu’avec le consentement de toutes les personnes, autres que le donneur de licence ou le cédant, qui sont inscrites au registre en qualité de titulaires ou de propriétaires du brevet.

4) Si un article est vendu par l’une des personnes inscrites en qualité de titulaires ou de propriétaires d’un brevet, l’acquéreur et toute personne agissant par son intermédiaire est habilité à le traiter de la même manière que si l’article avait été vendu par un titulaire unique.

5) Sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, les règles de droit applicables à la possession et à l’aliénation des biens meubles en général s’appliquent aux brevets de la même façon qu’aux autres droits incorporels; nulle disposition de l’alinéa 1) ou 2) ci- dessus n’a d’incidence sur les droits et obligations réciproques des fiduciaires [trustees] ou des exécuteurs testamentaires d’une personne décédée, ni sur leurs droits et obligations en tant que tels.

Pouvoir conféré au commissaire de donner des instructions aux copropriétaires

Art. 64. — 1) Si deux ou plusieurs personnes sont inscrites au registre en qualité de titulaires ou de propriétaires d’un brevet, le commissaire peut, sur demande présentée de la manière prescrite par l’une de ces personnes, donner toutes instructions qu’il juge utiles conformément à la demande en ce qui concerne la vente ou la cession à bail du brevet ou de tout droit sur le brevet, l’octroi de licences au titre du brevet ou l’exercice de tout droit prévu à cet égard par l’article63de la présente loi.

2) Si une personne inscrite au registre en qualité de titulaire ou de propriétaire d’un brevet omet de signer un instrument ou d’accomplir tout autre acte requis pour l’exécution d’instructions données en vertu du présent article, dans les 14 jours après avoir été invitée, par écrit, à le faire par l’une des autres personnes inscrites en la même qualité, le commissaire peut, sur demande présentée de la manière prescrite par l’une de ces personnes, donner des instructions habilitant une personne à signer l’instrument ou à accomplir l’acte au nom et pour le compte de la personne défaillante.

3) Avant de donner des instructions à la suite d’une demande formulée en vertu du présent article, le commissaire donne,

a) dans le cas d’une demande formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, à l’autre personne ou aux autres personnes inscrites au registre en qualité de titulaires ou de propriétaires du brevet;

b) dans le cas d’une demande formulée en vertu de l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus, à la personne défaillante

la possibilité d’être entendue.

4) Toute décision prise ou instruction donnée par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

5) Il ne peut être donné, en vertu du présent article, aucune instruction qui serait de nature à porter atteinte aux droits et obligations réciproques des fiduciaires [trustees] ou des exécuteurs testamentaires d’une personne décédée, ni à leurs droits et obligations en tant que tels.

Litiges relatifs à des inventions de salariés

Art. 65. — 1) Si un litige surgit entre un employeur et une personne qui, à l’époque considérée, est ou était à son service, quant aux droits des parties à l’égard d’une invention faite par le salarié, seul ou conjointement avec d’autres salariés, ou à l’égard

d’un brevet délivré ou devant être délivré pour cette invention, le commissaire peut, sur demande présentée de la manière prescrite par l’une des parties, et après avoir donné à chacune d’elles la possibilité d’être entendue, trancher le litige et donner les instructions qu’il juge opportunes pour mettre sa décision à exécution.

Toutefois, s’il apparaît au commissaire, à propos d’une demande formulée en vertu du présent article, que la question en litige soulève des points qui seraient plutôt du ressort du tribunal, il peut refuser de connaître de l’affaire.

2) Dans une procédure engagée devant le tribunal entre un employeur et une personne qui, à l’époque considérée, est ou était à son service, ou sur demande adressée au commissaire en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, le tribunal ou le commissaire peut, à moins d’être convaincu que l’une des parties a droit, à l’exclusion de l’autre, au bénéfice de l’invention faite par le salarié, ordonner la répartition entre les parties du bénéfice de l’invention et de tout brevet délivré ou devant être délivré, de la manière qu’il juge équitable.

3) Les décisions prises par le commissaire en vertu du présent article produisent les mêmes effets, entre les parties et leurs ayants cause, que les décisions du tribunal.

4) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Nullité de certaines clauses restrictives

Art. 66. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, toute clause d’un contrat de vente ou de cession à bail d’un article breveté ou fabriqué selon un procédé breveté, ou de licence d’utilisation ou d’exploitation industrielle d’un article ou d’un procédé breveté, ou se rapportant à une telle vente, un tel bail ou une telle licence est nulle si elle prétend

a) exiger de l’acquéreur, du locataire ou du preneur de licence qu’il acquière du vendeur, du bailleur, du donneur de licence ou des personnes désignées par celui-ci, ou lui interdire d’acquérir d’une personne spécifiée ou de personne sauf du vendeur, du bailleur, du donneur de licence, ou des personnes désignées par celui-ci, tous articles autres que l’article breveté ou un article fabriqué selon le procédé breveté;

b) interdire à l’acquéreur, au locataire ou au preneur de licence d’utiliser des articles, brevetés ou non, qui ne sont pas fournis par le vendeur, bailleur ou donneur de licence ou les personnes désignées par celui-ci, ou un procédé breveté qui n’appartient pas au vendeur, bailleur ou donneur de licence, ou restreindre le droit pour l’acquéreur, le locataire ou le preneur de licence d’utiliser ces articles ou ce procédé.

2) Dans toute procédure engagée contre toute personne pour atteinte au brevet, un moyen de défense consiste à établir qu’à la date de l’infraction un contrat relatif au brevet conclu par le demandeur ou avec son consentement, et contenant une clause nulle en vertu du présent article, était en vigueur.

3) Une clause contractuelle n’est pas nulle en vertu du présent article

a) si, à la date de la conclusion du contrat, le vendeur, bailleur ou donneur de licence était disposé à vendre ou à louer l’article en cause, ou à accorder à l’acquéreur, au locataire ou au preneur de licence, à des conditions équitables stipulées dans le contrat et en l’absence d’une clause comme celle qui est visée à l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, une licence pour l’usage ou l’exploitation industrielle de l’article ou du procédé, selon le cas; et

b) si l’acquéreur, le locataire ou le preneur de licence est habilité, d’après le contrat, à se libérer de l’obligation de respecter la clause susmentionnée en donnant à l’autre partie un préavis écrit de trois mois et en lui payant, à titre de dommages-intérêts, une somme (en cas d’achat, une somme forfaitaire et, en cas de bail ou de licence, un loyer ou une redevance pour la durée du contrat restant à courir) qui pourra être fixée par un arbitre nommé par le ministre.

4) Si, dans une procédure, il est allégué qu’une clause d’un contrat est nulle en vertu du présent article, il appartient au vendeur, au bailleur ou au donneur de licence de faire la preuve des éléments visés à l’alinéa 3)a)ci-dessus.

5) Une clause d’un contrat ne peut être nulle en vertu du présent article du seul fait qu’elle interdit à toute personne de vendre des marchandises autres que celles qui sont fournies par une personne désignée ou, dans le cas d’un contrat de bail ou d’une licence d’utilisation d’un article breveté, du seul fait qu’elle réserve au bailleur ou au donneur de licence ou aux personnes par lui désignées le droit de fournir les pièces de rechange neuves de l’article breveté qui peuvent être nécessaires pour le réparer ou l’entretenir.

Résiliation de certains contrats

Art. 67. — 1) Tout contrat relatif à la vente ou à la cession à bail d’un article breveté ou à une licence de fabrication, d’utilisation ou d’exploitation industrielle d’un article ou d’un procédé breveté, ou se rapportant à une telle vente, un tel bail ou une telle licence — qu’il ait été conclu avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi — peut, à tout moment après que le brevet ou tous les brevets qui protégeaient l’article ou le procédé à l’époque de la conclusion du contrat ont cessé d’être en vigueur, et nonobstant toute clause contraire du contrat ou de tout autre contrat, être dénoncé par l’une des parties moyennant un préavis de trois mois adressé par écrit à l’autre partie.

2) Les dispositions du présent article sont sans préjudice du droit de résilier un contrat qui peut être exercé indépendamment du présent article.

Actions en contrefaçon, etc.

Restrictions au recouvrement de dommages-intérêts pour contrefaçon

Art. 68. — 1) Dans une action pour atteinte à un brevet, les dommages-intérêts ou la reddition de comptes ne peuvent pas être prononcés à l’encontre d’un défendeur qui établit qu’à la date de l’infraction il n’avait pas connaissance de l’existence du brevet ni aucune raison valable de supposer cette existence; nul n’est réputé avoir eu connaissance

de l’existence du brevet ou avoir eu des motifs valables d’en supposer l’existence du seul fait qu’ont été utilisés sur un article les mots «patent» [brevet], «patented» [breveté] ou tout autre mot ou expression signifiant ou impliquant qu’un brevet a été obtenu pour cet article, à moins que le mot ou l’expression ne soient accompagnés de la mention «New Zealand» ou des lettres «N. Z.» et du numéro du brevet.

2) Dans une action pour atteinte à un brevet, le tribunal peut, s’il le juge utile, refuser d’allouer des dommages-intérêts pour une infraction commise après le défaut de paiement de la taxe de renouvellement dans le délai prescrit et avant toute prorogation de ce délai.

3) Si une modification du mémoire descriptif du brevet par voie de renonciation, correction ou explication a été autorisée en vertu de la présente loi après la publication du mémoire, aucune somme n’est allouée à titre de dommages-intérêts dans une procédure concernant l’utilisation de l’invention avant la date de la décision autorisant la modification, à moins que le tribunal ne soit assuré que le mémoire, dans sa version d’origine, avait été établi de bonne foi et avec une compétence et des connaissance suffisantes.

4) Nulle disposition du présent article ne peut limiter le pouvoir qu’a le tribunal de rendre une ordonnance dans toute action pour atteinte à un brevet.

Charge de la preuve en cas d’atteinte à un brevet de procédé

Art. 68A. — 1) Si l’invention faisant l’objet d’un brevet est un procédé de fabrication d’un produit nouveau, le même produit fabriqué par une personne autre que le titulaire du brevet ou le titulaire d’une licence accordée par celui-ci est, sauf preuve du contraire, réputé avoir été fabriqué selon ce procédé dans toute action pour atteinte au brevet.

2) Pour l’application de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, le tribunal n’exige de personne la divulgation d’un secret de fabrication ou d’un secret commercial s’il estime qu’il serait inopportun de le faire.

Ordonnance de reddition de comptes dans une action en contrefaçon

Art. 69. Dans toute action pour atteinte à un brevet, le demandeur a la faculté de réclamer la restitution des gains réalisés au lieu de dommages-intérêts.

Demande reconventionnelle en révocation dans une action en contrefaçon

Art. 70. Dans une action pour atteinte à un brevet le défendeur peut, sans obtenir le consentement du procureur général visé à l’article41.3)b) de la présente loi, présenter conformément au règlement du tribunal une demande reconventionnelle en révocation du brevet.

Réparation en cas d’atteinte portée à un mémoire descriptif partiellement valable

Art. 71. — 1) Si, dans une action pour atteinte à un brevet, il est constaté qu’une revendication associée au mémoire descriptif du brevet dont on invoque l’atteinte est valable, mais qu’une autre revendication n’est pas valable, le tribunal peut accorder réparation pour toute revendication valable à laquelle il a été porté atteinte.

Toutefois, le tribunal n’accorde réparation sous forme de dommages-intérêts, restitution des gains ou frais et dépens que dans les cas visés à l’alinéa 2) ci-après.

2) Si le brevet porte une date antérieure au 1er janvier 1940, ou si le demandeur établit que la revendication non valable a été formulée de bonne foi et avec une compétence et des connaissances suffisantes, le tribunal accorde réparation pour toute revendication valable à laquelle il a été porté atteinte, la question des frais et dépens et la fixation de la date à partir de laquelle les dommages-intérêts seront calculés étant laissées à la libre appréciation du tribunal.

3) Comme condition de la réparation prévue aux alinéas 1) ou 2) ci-dessus, le tribunal peut ordonner que le mémoire descriptif du brevet soit modifié de façon convaincante pour elle sur requête présentée en vertu de l’article 39 de la présente loi; une requête peut être présentée en conséquence, que tous les autres points de la procédure aient été réglés ou non.

4) Pour les brevets qui portent une date antérieure au 1er janvier 1940, les dispositions du présent article produisent leurs effets nonobstant toute disposition de l’article 68.3).

Action en contrefaçon engagée par le titulaire d’une licence exclusive

Art. 72. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions du présent article et de l’article 85, le titulaire d’une licence exclusive dans le cadre d’un brevet a le droit, au même titre que le titulaire du brevet lui-même, d’introduire une action pour toute atteinte au brevet commise après la date de la licence; lorsqu’il alloue des dommages-intérêts ou accorde une autre réparation dans une procédure de ce genre, le tribunal prend en considération toute perte subie ou susceptible d’être subie par le titulaire de la licence exclusive en tant que tel ou, suivant le cas, les gains réalisés du fait de l’atteinte dans la mesure où celle-ci constitue une violation des droits du titulaire de la licence exclusive en tant que tel.

2) Dans toute procédure engagée par le titulaire d’une licence exclusive en vertu du présent article, le titulaire du brevet doit, à moins qu’il n’intervienne comme demandeur dans la procédure, être appelé en cause comme défendeur.

Toutefois, le titulaire du brevet ainsi appelé en cause ne peut être astreint au paiement de frais et dépens à moins qu’il ne prenne part effectivement à la procédure.

Attestation à l’effet que la validité d’un mémoire descriptif de brevet a été contestée

Art. 73. — 1) Si, dans une procédure engagée devant le tribunal, la validité d’une revendication associée à un mémoire descriptif est contestée, et si le tribunal constate au contraire que la revendication est bien valable, il peut attester que cette validité a été mise en cause dans la procédure.

2) Lorsqu’une attestation dans ce sens a été délivrée, si, dans une procédure pour atteinte au brevet ou révocation de celui-ci engagée ultérieurement devant le tribunal, une ordonnance ou un jugement définitif est rendu en faveur de la partie qui se prévaut de la validité du brevet, cette partie a droit, sauf décision contraire du tribunal, au remboursement de ses frais d’honoraires d’avocat pour autant qu’ils concernent la revendication visée par l’attestation.

Toutefois, le présent alinéa ne s’applique pas aux frais afférents à un recours dans une action du type susmentionné.

Dédommagement pour menace abusive d’action en contrefaçon

Art. 74. — 1) Si une personne, qu’elle ait ou non des droits sur un brevet ou une demande de brevet ou une participation à ce brevet ou à cette demande, menace une autre personne, par voie de circulaires, d’annonces ou par tout autre moyen, d’une action pour atteinte au brevet, toute personne lésée par cette menace peut introduire une action contre la première pour obtenir la réparation visée à l’alinéa 2) ci-après.

2) À moins que, dans une action engagée en vertu du présent article, le défendeur ne prouve que les actes qui ont suscité la menace de poursuites constituent ou, s’ils avaient été accomplis, constitueraient une atteinte au brevet ou une atteinte aux droits résultant de la publication d’un mémoire descriptif complet en ce qui concerne une revendication associée au mémoire dont le demandeur n’a pas établi la nullité, le demandeur a droit à la réparation suivante :

a) une déclaration établissant que les menaces ne sont pas justifiées; b) une injonction de mettre un terme à ces menaces; et c) le dédommagement des préjudices éventuels qu’il a pu subir de ce fait. 3) Afin de prévenir toute équivoque, il y a lieu de souligner ici que la simple

notification de l’existence d’un brevet ne constitue pas une menace de poursuites judiciaires au sens du présent article.

4) Il est également déclaré ici qu’un avis donné en vertu de l’article85 de la présente loi ne constitue pas une menace de poursuites judiciaires au sens du présent article.

Pouvoir conféré au tribunal de faire une déclaration de non-contrefaçon

Art. 75. — 1) Une déclaration établissant que l’usage d’un procédé, par une personne déterminée, ou bien la fabrication, l’usage ou la vente d’un article par une personne déterminée ne constitue pas ni ne constituerait une atteinte à une revendication d’un brevet peut être émise par le tribunal dans une action entre cette personne et le titulaire du brevet ou le titulaire d’une licence exclusive au titre du brevet, même en l’absence d’allégation contraire formulée par le titulaire du brevet ou le titulaire de la licence, s’il est établi

a) que le demandeur a sollicité par écrit du titulaire du brevet ou du titulaire de la licence une attestation écrite en vue de la déclaration requise et lui a fourni par écrit tous les renseignements concernant le procédé ou l’article en cause;

b) que le demandeur s’est engagé à verser une somme équitable pour les frais encourus par le titulaire du brevet ou le titulaire de la licence en vue d’obtenir un avis au sujet de la déclaration demandée;

c) que le titulaire du brevet ou le titulaire de la licence a refusé ou négligé de donner cette attestation.

2) Les frais de toutes les parties à une procédure tendant à obtenir une attestation en vertu du présent article sont laissés à la libre appréciation du tribunal.

3) La validité d’une revendication associée à un mémoire descriptif de brevet ne peut être mise en cause dans une procédure engagée pour obtenir une déclaration en vertu du présent article; en conséquence, l’établissement ou le refus d’une telle déclaration à propos d’un brevet n’est pas réputé impliquer que le brevet est valable.

4) Une procédure visant l’obtention d’une déclaration peut être engagée, en vertu du présent article, à tout moment après la date de publication du mémoire descriptif complet faisant suite à une demande de brevet, et toute mention du titulaire du brevet dans le présent article est interprétée en conséquence.

Possibilité pour le procureur général de comparaître dans les procès relatifs aux brevets

Art. 76. — 1) Le procureur général, s’il estime que l’intérêt public est en jeu ou pourrait l’être, peut prendre certaines ou la totalité des mesures suivantes :

a) engager une procédure pour vérifier la validité d’un brevet; b) se joindre au demandeur dans une action introduite en vertu de l’article 74 de

la présente loi;

c) demander la révocation d’un brevet; d) comparaître et être entendu dans toute action engagée devant le tribunal ou le

commissaire pour la délivrance, la prolongation, la modification ou la révocation d’un brevet, ou lorsque la validité d’un brevet est en cause, ou pour l’obtention d’une licence au titre d’un brevet, ou pour la mise d’un brevet sous le régime de la licence de droit, ou encore pour une déclaration de non-contrefaçon, et prendre toutes mesures qu’il juge souhaitables, comme s’il était partie à la procédure;

e) intervenir dans toute procédure et assumer la supervision et la conduite de toute procédure dans laquelle il peut comparaître et être entendu, comme il est dit ci-dessus, pour le compte et avec le consentement d’une des parties.

2) Dans toute instance engagée devant le tribunal ou le commissaire, à l’exception des procédures visées à l’article16de la présente loi, une partie qui entend contester la validité d’un brevet doit notifier son intention au procureur général adjoint [Solicitor- General] au moins 21 jours avant l’audience et lui communiquer copie de tous les

documents versés au dossier de l’affaire par lui-même ou par une autre partie que le procureur général adjoint demandera.

3) Dans toute procédure dans laquelle le procureur général comparaît en application du présent article, des frais et dépens peuvent lui être accordés ou imputés.

Conventions internationales, etc.

Ordonnances en Conseil concernant les pays contractants

Art. 77. — 1) Le gouverneur général peut, aux fins de l’exécution d’un traité, d’une convention, d’un accord ou d’un engagement, déclarer par voie d’ordonnance en Conseil que tout pays mentionné dans l’ordonnance est un pays contractant au sens de la présente loi.

Une déclaration de ce type peut être faite en ce qui concerne la totalité ou certaines seulement des dispositions de la présente loi; tout pays pour lequel une déclaration est en vigueur aux fins de certaines des dispositions est réputé être un pays contractant pour l’application de ces seules dispositions.

2) Aux fins de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, tout territoire dont les relations internationales relèvent de la compétence d’un autre pays est réputé être un pays pour lequel une déclaration peut être faite en vertu dudit alinéa.

Dispositions complémentaires concernant les demandes fondées sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant

Art. 78. — 1) Si une personne a sollicité la protection d’une invention dans une demande qui,

a) aux termes d’un traité en vigueur entre deux ou plusieurs pays contractants, est assimilée à une demande régulièrement déposée dans l’un de ces pays; ou,

b) aux termes de la législation de l’un des pays contractants, est assimilée à une demande régulièrement déposée dans ce pays,

elle est réputée, aux fins de la présente loi, avoir déposé sa demande dans le pays contractant en question.

2) Aux fins de la présente loi, un élément est réputé avoir été divulgué dans une demande de protection déposée dans un pays contractant s’il a été revendiqué ou divulgué, autrement que par voie de renonciation ou de reconnaissance d’une antériorité, dans cette demande ou dans les documents produits par le déposant à l’appui de sa demande et en même temps qu’elle; toutefois, il n’est tenu aucun compte d’une divulgation effectuée par l’un de ces documents si une copie dudit document n’a pas été déposée auprès de l’office des brevets en même temps que la demande dans le pays contractant ou après le dépôt de cette demande, dans le délai qui peut être prescrit.

Dispositions particulières concernant les navires, les aéronefs et les véhicules terrestres

Art. 79. Si un navire ou un aéronef immatriculé dans un pays contractant, ou un véhicule terrestre appartenant à une personne qui réside habituellement dans un tel pays, pénètre en Nouvelle-Zélande, y compris dans ses eaux territoriales, uniquement à titre temporaire ou accidentel, les droits conférés par un brevet d’invention ne sont pas réputés être violés par l’usage de l’invention

a) dans le corps du navire ou dans les machines, agrès, apparaux et autres accessoires de celui-ci, sous réserve que l’invention soit employée à bord ou pour les besoins exclusifs du navire; ou

b) dans la construction ou le fonctionnement des engins de locomotion aérienne ou terrestre ou de leurs accessoires,

selon le cas.

Prorogation de délai pour certaines demandes fondées sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant

Art. 80. — 1) Si le gouverneur général est assuré qu’une disposition sensiblement équivalente à celle prévue par le présent article a été prise ou sera prise selon la législation d’un pays contractant, il peut, par voie d’ordonnance en Conseil, promulguer un règlement habilitant le commissaire à proroger le délai prescrit pour le dépôt des demandes de brevet visées à l’alinéa 2) de l’article7 de la présente loi concernant une invention pour laquelle la protection a été demandée dans ce pays dans tous les cas où le délai indiqué dans la clause conditionnelle dudit alinéa expire au cours d’un délai prescrit par ledit règlement.

2) Tout règlement édicté en vertu du présent article peut

a) si un accord ou arrangement prévoyant la fourniture ou l’échange de renseignements ou de marchandises a été conclu entre le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté en Nouvelle-Zélande et le gouvernement du pays contractant, disposer, soit en règle générale, soit dans tel ou tel type de cas précisé dans le règlement, qu’une prorogation de délai ne sera accordée en vertu du présent article que si l’invention a été communiquée conformément à l’accord ou à l’arrangement;

b) fixer, soit en règle générale, soit dans tel ou tel type de cas précisé dans le règlement, la prorogation maximum qui peut être accordée en vertu du présent article et prévoir une réduction de la durée d’un brevet délivré sur la base d’une demande déposée en vertu du présent article, et, nonobstant toute disposition de l’article 115 de la présente loi, modifier le délai de paiement de la taxe de renouvellement du brevet et le montant de cette taxe;

c) prescrire ou autoriser toute procédure particulière pour les demandes déposées en vertu du présent article;

d) habiliter le commissaire à proroger, pour une demande déposée en vertu du présent article, le délai fixé, selon les dispositions précédentes de la présente loi, pour accomplir un acte quelconque, sous réserve des conditions éventuellement imposées par le règlement ou en vertu de celui-ci;

e) comprendre des dispositions prévoyant que les droits conférés par un brevet délivré sur la base d’une demande déposée en vertu du présent article seront subordonnés aux restrictions ou conditions qui pourraient être imposées par le règlement ou en vertu de celui-ci, en particulier aux restrictions et conditions visant la protection des personnes, y compris des personnes agissant au nom de Sa Majesté, qui — autrement qu’à la suite d’une communication faite conformément à un accord ou arrangement du type prévu au sous-alinéa a), et avant la date de la demande ou une date ultérieure autorisée par le règlement — auraient fabriqué, utilisé, exploité ou vendu l’invention ou demandé un brevet s’y rapportant.

Protection des inventions communiquées en vertu d’accords internationaux

Art. 81. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions du présent article, le gouverneur général peut, par ordonnance en Conseil, édicter un règlement pour faire en sorte que, si une invention a été communiquée conformément à un accord ou à un arrangement prévoyant la fourniture ou l’échange de renseignements ou de marchandises, conclu entre le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté en Nouvelle-Zélande et le gouvernement d’un autre pays,

a) une demande de brevet présentée par l’auteur de l’invention, par son exécuteur testamentaire ou par son cessionnaire ne puisse être compromise, et un brevet délivré sur la base de cette demande ne puisse être invalidé du seul fait que l’invention a été communiquée comme il est dit ci-dessus ou que, en conséquence,

ii) l’invention a été publiée, réalisée, utilisée, exploitée ou vendue; ou

ii) une demande de brevet a été présentée par une tierce personne ou un brevet a été délivré sur la base de cette demande;

b) une demande de brevet présentée à la suite d’une communication du type susmentionné puisse être rejetée et un brevet délivré sur la base de cette demande puisse être révoqué.

2) Le règlement édicté en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus peut prévoir que la publication, la réalisation, l’utilisation, l’exploitation ou la vente d’une invention, ou le dépôt d’une demande de brevet s’y rapportant, sont réputés, dans les circonstances et sous réserve des conditions ou exceptions qui pourront être prescrites par ce règlement, être la conséquence d’une communication du type visé audit alinéa.

3) Les pouvoirs conférés au gouverneur général en vertu du présent article, pour autant qu’ils peuvent s’exercer au bénéfice de personnes dont les inventions ont été communiquées au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté en Nouvelle-Zélande par le gouvernement d’un autre pays, ne sont exercés effectivement que dans la mesure où le gouverneur général est assuré qu’une disposition sensiblement équivalente a été prise ou le sera, en vertu de la législation de ce pays, au bénéfice de personnes dont les inventions ont été communiquées par le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté en Nouvelle-Zélande au gouvernement dudit pays.

4) Toute mention, à l’alinéa 3) ci-dessus, de la communication d’une invention au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté en Nouvelle-Zélande ou au gouvernement d’un autre pays, ou par l’un de ces deux gouvernements à l’autre, sera interprétée comme désignant aussi la communication de l’invention par toute personne ou à toute personne autorisée à cet effet par le gouvernement en question.

Règlements édictés en vertu de l’article 80 ou de l’article 81

Art. 82. Tout règlement édicté en vertu de l’article 80 ou de l’article81 de la présente loi, et toute ordonnance rendue, toute instruction donnée ou toute autre mesure prise en vertu de ce règlement par le commissaire peut être édicté, rendu, donné ou pris de façon à produire ses effets, en ce qui concerne les actes accomplis ou les actes qu’on aura omis d’accomplir, à la date ou après la date qui pourra être indiquée dans le règlement — que cette date soit antérieure ou postérieure à l’entrée en vigueur du règlement ou de la présente loi.

Registre des brevets, etc.

Registre des brevets

Art. 83. — 1) Il est tenu à l’office des brevets un registre des brevets, dans lequel sont consignés les renseignements relatifs aux brevets en vigueur, aux cessions et transferts de brevets et aux licences accordées au titre de brevets, ainsi que tous les éléments qui doivent être inscrits au registre en vertu de la présente loi et les autres éléments affectant la validité ou la titularité des brevets que le commissaire juge utiles.

2) Sous réserve des dispositions de la présente loi et des règlements pris en vertu de celle-ci, et moyennant paiement de la taxe prescrite, le registre des brevets est ouvert à la consultation publique aux jours et heures appropriés, et des copies de toute inscription figurant dans le registre, certifiées conformes et marquées du sceau de l’office des brevets, sont délivrées à toute personne qui en fait la demande.

3) Le registre des brevets constitue un commencement de preuve de tous les éléments dont la présente loi ou les règlements pertinents exigent ou autorisent l’inscription au registre.

4) Aucune mention d’un «trust» — explicite, implicite ou résultant d’une interprétation — ne peut être consignée au registre des brevets, et une mention de ce type ne peut concerner le commissaire.

Enregistrement des cessions, etc.

Art. 84. — 1) Si une personne acquiert par cession, par transmission ou par effet de la loi des droits sur un brevet ou sur une part de brevet, ou si elle obtient, en tant que créancier hypothécaire, titulaire de licence ou à tout autre titre, un autre droit sur un brevet, elle doit demander au commissaire, de la manière prescrite, l’inscription au registre des brevets de son titre en tant que propriétaire ou copropriétaire ou, selon le cas, la mention du droit qu’elle détient.

2) Sans préjudice des dispositions de l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, une demande d’enregistrement du titre d’une personne qui acquiert par cession des droits sur un brevet ou sur une part d’un brevet, ou qui obtient, en vertu d’une hypothèque, d’une licence ou d’un autre acte juridique, un autre droit sur un brevet peut être présentée, de la manière prescrite, par le cédant, le débiteur hypothécaire, le donneur de licence ou toute autre partie à cet acte, selon le cas.

3) Si une demande d’inscription du droit d’une personne est présentée en vertu de cet article, le commissaire, sous réserve que le droit soit établi d’une manière jugée concluante,

a) si la personne a droit à un brevet ou à une part de brevet, inscrit cette personne au registre des brevets en tant que propriétaire ou copropriétaire du brevet, et consigne au registre les caractéristiques de l’acte juridique ou de l’événement qui lui confère son droit; ou

b) si cette personne a d’autres droits sur un brevet, consigne ces droits au registre et sur le brevet présenté au commissaire.

4) Sous réserve des dispositions de la présente loi concernant la copropriété des brevets, et sous réserve aussi de tous droits dévolus à une autre personne et dont il est fait mention au registre des brevets, la personne ou les personnes inscrites en tant que titulaires ou propriétaires d’un brevet ont le pouvoir de céder le brevet, d’accorder des licences ou de disposer autrement du brevet, et de donner valablement quittance pour toute rémunération au titre de cette cession, licence ou transaction.

Toutefois, il est possible de faire valoir toutes les sûretés relatives au brevet comme pour tout autre bien meuble.

5) Les règlements pris en vertu de la présente loi peuvent exiger qu’il soit fourni au commissaire, pour archivage à l’office des brevets, copie des contrats, licences et autres documents qu’il serait prescrit de produire.

Prescription en matière de poursuites

Art. 85. — 1) Excepté dans les cas où le tribunal, sur demande, autorise le contraire, nul ne peut introduire une action, autre qu’une action pénale, concernant des droits qu’elle pourrait avoir sur un brevet en qualité de propriétaire, créancier hypothécaire, titulaire d’une licence, etc., à moins que,

a) dans le cas de droits qui ne sont pas inscrits au registre des brevets en vertu de la présente loi au moment de l’introduction de l’action mais qui sont susceptibles de l’être,

ii) il n’ait signifié par écrit au futur défendeur, un mois au minimum avant la date d’ouverture de la procédure, son intention d’introduire une action et donné une adresse en vue de la signification des actes en Nouvelle-Zélande (élection de domicile); et

ii) aucun avis en vertu de l’alinéa 2) ci-après, exigeant qu’il fasse enregistrer ses droits en vertu de la présente loi, ne lui ait été notifié

dans le délai d’un mois après qu’il a adressé la communication prévue au sous-alinéa i) ci-dessus;

b) dans le cas de droits enregistrés en vertu de la présente loi, ces droits n’aient été enregistrés

ii) avant que le droit d’engager la procédure ne soit prescrit en vertu du présent article; et

ii) un mois au minimum avant la date d’ouverture de la procédure; ou

c) dans le cas d’autres droits, il n’ait signifié par écrit au futur défendeur, un mois au minimum avant la date d’ouverture de la procédure, son intention d’introduire une action.

2) Si une personne présente une réclamation ou menace d’engager des poursuites ou signifie son intention d’introduire, en qualité de propriétaire, créancier hypothécaire, titulaire de licence, etc., une action autre qu’une procédure pénale contre une autre personne concernant un droit quelconque sur un brevet, s’agissant d’un droit non enregistré en vertu de la présente loi mais qui est susceptible de l’être, cette autre personne peut — à tout moment dans le mois qui suit, exiger par écrit de l’auteur de la réclamation ou de la menace ou de la personne qui a signifié l’intention d’introduire une action — qu’il fasse enregistrer, en vertu de la présente loi, les droits objets de la réclamation, de la menace ou de la notification d’intention; si l’intéressé ne s’exécute pas dans les six mois qui suivent la sommation écrite visée au présent alinéa, il perd le droit d’engager une procédure au sujet de la réclamation ou du droit en cause contre la personne qui a exigé l’enregistrement.

3) Nulle disposition du présent article n’autorise qui que ce soit à introduire une action frappée de prescription par la loi dite «Limitation Act» de 1950, et nulle disposition de l’article 33 de ladite loi n’exclut l’application de celle-ci dans une affaire où une action serait frappée de prescription en vertu du présent article.

Possibilité pour le commissaire de dispenser, dans certains cas, de la présentation de l’homologation d’un testament ou des lettres de nomination d’un administrateur judiciaire

Art. 86. — 1) Aux fins du présent article, sauf incompatibilité avec le contexte «propriétaire décédé» s’entend du propriétaire d’un brevet inscrit au registre, qui

est décédé avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, et désigne également tout déposant d’une demande de brevet qui est décédé avant la délivrance du brevet, avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi; cette expression désigne aussi l’auteur d’une invention qui est décédé avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi sans avoir déposé une demande de brevet pour son invention;

«personne qualifiée», par rapport à un propriétaire décédé, s’entend d’une personne dont le commissaire est convaincu

a) qu’elle a obtenu ou est en droit d’obtenir l’homologation du testament du propriétaire décédé, ou des lettres la nommant administrateur judiciaire de la

succession, au dernier lieu de domicile du propriétaire décédé, ou qu’elle est en ce lieu l’exécuteur testamentaire du propriétaire décédé;

b) que l’homologation du testament du propriétaire décédé ou les lettres de nomination de l’administrateur judiciaire n’ont pas été délivrées ou rescellées en Nouvelle-Zélande;

c) que le commissaire aux contributions [Commissioner of Inland Revenue] s’est assuré qu’aucun droit de succession n’est exigible en Nouvelle-Zélande sur les biens du propriétaire décédé;

d) que les intérêts des créanciers du propriétaire décédé et de tous les bénéficiaires légaux ou testamentaires de la succession seront sauvegardés de manière adéquate s’il inscrit la personne qualifiée au registre en qualité de propriétaire du brevet.

2) Sur demande présentée de la manière prescrite et moyennant paiement des taxes prescrites, le commissaire peut, à son gré et sans exiger la production de l’acte d’homologation du testament ou des lettres de nomination de l’administrateur judiciaire,

a) si le propriétaire inscrit d’un brevet décède avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, inscrire toute personne qualifiée au registre en qualité de propriétaire du brevet;

b) si le déposant d’une demande de brevet décède avant la délivrance du brevet, que ce soit avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, autoriser toute personne qualifiée à compléter les formalités afférentes à la demande et inscrire cette personne au registre en qualité de propriétaire du brevet, ou il peut accepter le consentement de cette personne aux fins de l’article 24 de la présente loi comme si elle était l’exécuteur testamentaire du déposant décédé;

c) autoriser qu’une demande en vertu de l’article9 de la présente loi soit faite par une personne qualifiée, et délivrer le brevet à cette personne comme si elle était l’exécuteur testamentaire de l’inventeur décédé.

3) Toute personne qualifiée inscrite en vertu du présent article en qualité de propriétaire du brevet en est titulaire sous réserve des droits et sûretés qui s’y rapportent.

4) Nulle disposition des articles 70ou 73 de la loi de 1969 sur l’administration [Administration Act 1969] n’est réputée restreindre l’application du présent article.

Rectification du registre des brevets par le tribunal

Art. 87. — 1) Le tribunal peut, sur requête de toute personne lésée, ordonner que le registre des brevets soit rectifié moyennant l’insertion d’une inscription ou la modification ou radiation d’une inscription figurant au registre.

2) Dans toute procédure engagée en vertu du présent article, le tribunal peut prendre toute décision qu’il estime nécessaire ou opportune en ce qui concerne la rectification du registre des brevets.

3) Toute requête adressée au tribunal en vertu du présent article doit être modifiée au commissaire de la manière prescrite, lequel est en droit de comparaître et d’être entendu à ce sujet; le commissaire est tenu de comparaître si le tribunal le lui ordonne.

4) Toute ordonnance rendue par le tribunal en vertu du présent article précise qu’elle doit être communiquée de la manière prescrite au commissaire, lequel, dès réception de la communication, rectifie le registre des brevets en conséquence.

Correction des erreurs

Art. 88. — 1) Lorsqu’une erreur figure dans le registre des brevets, dans un brevet ou dans tout autre document publié en vertu de la présente loi en raison d’une inexactitude ou d’une omission imputable à l’office des brevets, le commissaire peut, conformément aux dispositions du présent article, corriger l’erreur et, à cette fin, exiger la présentation du brevet ou de cet autre document.

2) Si le commissaire entend procéder à la correction susmentionnée, il notifie son intention aux personnes qui lui paraissent concernées et leur donne la possibilité d’être entendues avant de procéder à la correction.

3) Lorsqu’une erreur figure dans le registre des brevets, dans un brevet ou une demande de brevet, ou dans un document déposé à l’appui d’une demande, ou dans tout acte de procédure se rapportant à un brevet, en raison d’une inexactitude ou d’une omission imputable au titulaire du brevet, au déposant de la demande ou à toute autre personne concernée, une correction peut être apportée conformément aux dispositions du présent article, sur requête écrite de toute personne intéressée et moyennant paiement de la taxe prescrite. S’il apparaît au commissaire que la correction est de nature à modifier sensiblement le sens ou la portée du document concerné et qu’elle ne devrait pas être effectuée sans que les personnes susceptibles d’en subir les conséquences soient averties, il ordonne qu’un avis sur la nature de la correction proposée soit publié dans les formes prescrites.

4) Dans le délai prescrit à compter de la date de l’avis, toute personne intéressée peut notifier au commissaire son opposition à la requête; lorsqu’il a connaissance d’une opposition, le commissaire en informe l’auteur de la requête et lui donne, ainsi qu’à l’opposant, la possibilité d’être entendus avant de rendre sa décision.

5) Toute décision prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article est susceptible de recours devant le tribunal.

Preuves des inscriptions, documents, etc.

Art. 89. — 1) Un certificat, portant le sceau de l’office des brevets, signé par le commissaire ou en son nom et attestant qu’une inscription qu’il est habilité à effectuer en vertu de la présente loi a ou n’a pas été faite, ou que tout autre acte qu’il est habilité à accomplir a ou n’a pas été accompli, constitue un commencement de preuve des éléments ainsi attestés.

2) Toute copie d’une inscription dans un registre, d’un document conservé à l’office des brevets ou d’un brevet, ou tout extrait dudit registre ou document, portant le

sceau de l’office des brevets et certifiée conforme par le commissaire ou en son nom, est recevable comme moyen de preuve, sans qu’il soit nécessaire de produire une autre preuve ou un original.

3) Lorsque, en vertu de la présente loi ou d’un autre texte juridique, le commissaire est astreint, autorisé ou habilité à accomplir un acte, à exercer des pouvoirs, à assumer une fonction ou à remplir une obligation, un avis en ce sens publié dans le bulletin constitue un commencement de preuve indiquant que l’acte a été accompli, les pouvoirs exercés, la fonction assumée ou l’obligation remplie conformément à la loi.

Demandes de renseignements concernant les brevets ou demandes de brevet

Art. 90. Sur requête présentée de la manière prescrite par toute personne, et moyennant paiement de la taxe prescrite, le commissaire fournit au requérant les renseignements, relatifs à un brevet ou à une demande de brevet, qui sont demandés dans la requête, s’agissant de renseignements sur toutes questions qui pourraient être prescrites.

Restrictions à la publication de mémoires descriptifs de brevets, etc.

Art. 91. — 1) Une demande de brevet et un mémoire descriptif déposé à l’appui de la demande ne peuvent pas, sauf consentement du déposant, être publiés par le commissaire ou rendus accessibles au public pour consultation à un moment quelconque avant la date annoncée dans le bulletin conformément à l’article20.2) de la présente loi.

Toutefois, nulle disposition du présent alinéa n’interdit au commissaire de publier la date et le numéro de la demande ainsi que les renseignements, concernant la demande et l’invention, qui doivent être portés dans le formulaire de demande.

2) Les rapports établis par les examinateurs de demandes de brevet en application de la présente loi ne sont pas rendus accessibles au public pour consultation ni publiés par le commissaire; ces rapports ne peuvent pas être produits ou consultés dans une procédure judiciaire à moins que le tribunal ou le magistrat ayant le pouvoir d’ordonner la communication de pièces dans le cadre de la procédure ne certifie que la production ou la consultation est souhaitable dans l’intérêt de la justice et doit être autorisé.

Toutefois, le commissaire peut, sur requête présentée de la manière prescrite par toute personne, divulguer le résultat de toute recherche effectuée en vertu de l’article13 ou de l’article 14 de la présente loi ou tous renseignements fournis en vertu de l’article 15.b)i), en ce qui concerne une demande de brevet dont le mémoire descriptif complet a été publié.

Perte ou destruction de brevet

Art. 92. S’il est convaincu qu’un brevet a été perdu ou détruit ou ne peut être produit, le commissaire peut, à tout moment, sur demande présentée de la manière prescrite et moyennant paiement de la taxe prescrite, faire apposer le sceau sur un nouveau brevet.

Faculté pour le commissaire de proroger un délai

Art. 93. — 1) Si la présente loi exige qu’un acte soit accompli dans un délai prescrit, et que pour cause de retard à l’office des brevets l’acte n’a pas été ainsi accompli, le commissaire peut proroger le délai prévu.

2) Si, compte tenu de la procédure visée et des renseignements requis par les articles 12 à 16 de la présente loi ou par tout règlement pris en vertu de ces articles, le commissaire est convaincu que les circonstances justifient une prorogation ou des prorogations du délai visé à l’alinéa 1) de l’article19, il peut proroger le délai prescrit pour l’exécution des obligations imposées au déposant en vertu de la présente loi; ledit alinéa sera dès lors interprété comme si le délai ainsi prorogé avait été substitué au délai de 15 mois qui y est mentionné.

3) Si une prorogation a été accordée en vertu de l’alinéa 2) ci-dessus, le délai ainsi accordé est porté par le commissaire à une durée plus longue, n’excédant pas trois mois, qui pourra être indiquée dans un avis remis par le déposant au commissaire, si cet avis est donné et si taxe prescrite acquittée avant l’expiration du délai plus long ainsi indiqué.

4) Aucune taxe n’est exigible pour une prorogation de délai accordée en vertu de l’alinéa 1) ou 2) du présent article.

5) Les pouvoirs conférés au commissaire par le présent article peuvent être exercés nonobstant le fait que, dans tel ou tel cas, le délai fixé est expiré.

Dispositions additionnelles relatives à la prorogation de délai

Art. 93A. — 1) Le commissaire peut proroger a) le délai prescrit à l’article7.2) de la présente loi pour le dépôt d’une demande

fondée sur un dépôt dans un pays contractant; ou

b) le délai prescrit à l’article9.2) de la présente loi pour le dépôt d’un mémoire descriptif complet,

aux conditions éventuelles qu’il juge appropriées s’il est convaincu que cette prorogation est justifiée par les circonstances.

2) Lorsque la présente loi prévoit un certain délai pour l’accomplissement d’un acte et qu’en raison de la non-remise ou d’un retard dans la remise du courrier par le service postal ou un autre service d’acheminement du courrier l’acte n’est pas accompli dans ce délai, le commissaire peut proroger le délai aux conditions éventuelles qu’il juge appropriées.

3) Nonobstant l’alinéa 1) ou 2) du présent article, le commissaire refuse de proroger le délai s’il estime

a) que le déposant ou son mandataire n’a pas prévu un laps de temps suffisant pour la remise à l’office des brevets, par voie postale ou autre, de tout document relatif à l’objet de la demande de prorogation;

b) que le déposant ou son mandataire a négligé de quelque autre façon d’agir avec la diligence et la prudence requises en la matière; ou

c) que l’on a trop tardé à présenter ou à instruire la demande de prorogation cette demande.

4) Toute prorogation de délai accordée en vertu du présent article est annoncée dans le bulletin de la manière prescrite.

5) Lorsqu’une demande de prorogation est faite en vertu du présent article par un mandataire au nom d’un déposant, le commissaire peut, avant de faire droit à la demande, poser comme condition qu’une confirmation écrite du fait que celle-ci est autorisée soit signée ou validée par le déposant et remise au commissaire dans le délai fixé par celui-ci.

6) Toute prorogation de délai en vertu du présent article et toute condition posée ou autre mesure prise par le commissaire en vertu du présent article peut être accordée, posée ou prise de manière à produire ses effets à l’égard d’actes dont l’accomplissement ou le défaut d’accomplissement est antérieur à l’entrée en vigueur du présent article, pour autant que la demande de prorogation ait été faite avant l’acceptation du mémoire descriptif complet de la demande de brevet qui fait l’objet de la demande visée au présent article.

7) Le gouverneur général peut, lorsqu’il y a lieu, édicter par voie d’ordonnance en Conseil des règlements aux fins suivantes :

a) protéger des personnes qui, à un moment quelconque, ont commencé à se prévaloir de bonne foi d’une invention concernée par l’objet d’une demande présentée en vertu du présent article;

b) définir les moyens de preuve que le commissaire peut accepter à l’appui des demandes présentées en vertu du présent article;

c) définir les modalités selon lesquelles les prorogations de délai accordées en vertu du présent article sont publiées dans le bulletin;

d) définir les motifs d’opposition aux demandes présentées en vertu du présent article;

e) établir la procédure à suivre pour les demandes présentées en vertu du présent article et les oppositions à ces demandes;

f) fixer les taxes à payer pour les demandes présentées en vertu du présent article.

Procédure devant le commissaire

Exercice des pouvoirs discrétionnaires du commissaire

Art. 94. Sans préjudice des dispositions de la présente loi faisant obligation au commissaire d’entendre toute partie à une procédure instituée de ce chef ou de donner à cette partie la possibilité d’être entendue, le commissaire, avant d’exercer à l’encontre du déposant d’une demande de brevet ou de modification d’un mémoire descriptif de brevet le pouvoir discrétionnaire qui lui est conféré en vertu de la présente loi, donne au déposant la possibilité d’être entendu.

Frais et dépens et constitution de garanties

Art. 95. — 1) Dans toute procédure engagée devant lui en vertu de la présente loi, le commissaire peut rendre toute décision visant à accorder à l’une des parties les frais et dépens qu’il estime appropriés et indiquer comment et par quelles parties ils devront être payés; toute décision de cette nature peut être assimilée à un jugement du tribunal et, avec l’autorisation de celui-ci, être exécutoire à ce titre.

2) Si une partie qui a signifié une opposition en vertu de la présente loi ou qui a adressé au commissaire une requête en révocation de brevet ou en octroi de licence au titre d’un brevet ou encore en règlement d’un litige concernant une invention, en vertu de l’article 65 de la présente loi, ou qui a signifié un recours d’une décision prise par le commissaire en vertu de la présente loi, ne réside pas en Nouvelle-Zélande et n’y exerce pas d’activité professionnelle, le commissaire, ou en cas de recours, le tribunal peut astreindre cette partie à constituer des garanties pour couvrir les frais de procédure ou de recours et, si ces garanties ne sont pas dûment constituées, il peut considérer l’opposition, la requête ou le recours comme abandonné.

Moyens de preuve devant le commissaire

Art. 96. — 1) Sous réserve des règlements édictés en vertu de la présente loi, les preuves à fournir dans toute procédure engagée devant le commissaire en vertu de ladite loi peuvent être produites par déclaration écrite sous serment [affidavit] ou par attestation [statutory declaration]; toutefois, le commissaire peut, s’il le juge opportun dans tel ou tel cas, recueillir des témoignages oraux au lieu ou en sus des moyens de preuve susmentionnés, et il peut permettre que tout témoin subisse un contre-interrogatoire. Toute attestation peut, en cas de recours formé en vertu de la présente loi, être produite devant le tribunal en lieu et place d’une déclaration écrite sous serment, auquel cas elle a les mêmes effets et conséquences qu’une telle déclaration.

2) Dans toute procédure engagée devant le commissaire en vertu de la présente loi, celui-ci peut recueillir des dépositions sous serment, convoquer des témoins et exiger la communication et la production de pièces selon les modalités prescrites.

3) Toute déposition sous serment devant le commissaire est réputée avoir été faite dans une procédure judiciaire aux fins des articles 108et 109de la loi pénale de 1961 [Crimes Act 1961].

4) L’article 111 de la loi pénale de 1961 s’applique à toute déclaration écrite sous serment et à toute attestation faites aux fins de la présente loi.

5) Le gouverneur général peut, quand il y a lieu, édicter par voie d’ordonnance en Conseil des règlements aux fins suivantes :

a) définir les modalités selon lesquelles les attestations peuvent être présentées et signées dans le cadre de procédures engagées en vertu de la présente loi;

b) définir les modalités de convocation des témoins appelés à déposer dans toute procédure engagée devant le commissaire;

c) prendre des dispositions pour l’indemnisation des témoins;

d) fixer, à concurrence de 40 dollars, les amendes encourues pour défaut ou refus de comparaître et de témoigner.

Recours devant la Haute Cour

Art. 97. — 1) Tout recours formé en vertu de la présente loi contre une décision du commissaire est porté devant la Haute Cour.

2) Tout recours de ce type doit faire l’objet d’un avis déposé auprès du tribunal dans les 28 jours qui suivent la date de la décision contestée.

3) Lors de l’examen d’un recours de ce type, le tribunal a et peut exercer les mêmes pouvoirs discrétionnaires que ceux qui sont conférés au commissaire.

4) Sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 98ci-après, la décision du tribunal est définitive et sans appel :

a) dans tout recours d’une décision du commissaire; b) dans toute demande présentée en vertu de l’article31 ou 32 de la présente loi.

Recours devant la Cour d’appel

Art. 98. Il peut être fait recours devant la Cour d’appel a) de toute décision du tribunal sur un recours formé en vertu de l’article 42 ou

de l’article 50 de la présente loi, si cette décision a pour effet de révoquer un brevet;

b) de toute décision rendue par le tribunal en vertu de l’article64 de la présente loi;

c) avec l’autorisation de la Haute Cour ou de la Cour d’appel, de toute décision rendue par la Haute Cour au sujet d’un recours contre une décision du commissaire ou d’une requête introduite en vertu de l’article 31 ou de l’article 32 de la présente loi.

Frais accordés au commissaire dans le cadre des procédures engagées devant le tribunal

Art. 99. Dans toute procédure engagée devant le tribunal en vertu de la présente loi, les frais accordés au commissaire sont laissés à l’appréciation du tribunal.

Agents de brevets

Inscription des agents de brevets au registre

Art. 100. — 1) Il est tenu à l’office des brevets un registre des agents de brevets. 2) Le commissaire peut inscrire en qualité d’agent de brevets quiconque

a) est sujet britannique ou ressortissant de la République d’Irlande; b) est âgé de 21 ans révolus; c) a subi avec succès les examens dans toutes les matières prescrites; d) pour autant que le requière un règlement pris en vertu de la présente loi, a été

employé durant la période et de la manière spécifiées par ce règlement; et

e) possède toutes autres qualifications prescrites. 3) Les règlements pris en vertu de la présente loi peuvent prévoir la désignation

d’une ou de plusieurs personnes chargées de conduire les examens visés à l’alinéa 2) ci- dessus.

4) Toute personne qui, immédiatement avant l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, était inscrite en qualité de mandataire en brevets en vertu de la loi de 1921-1922 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles industriels et les marques, est réputée être inscrite en cette qualité en vertu de la présente loi.

Pouvoirs des agents de brevets

Art. 101. — 1) L’agent de brevets a) est habilité à rédiger tout document, à traiter toute affaire et à mener toute

procédure aux fins de la présente loi; et

b) possède les autres droits et privilèges qui peuvent être prescrits. 2) Nulle disposition du présent article n’autorise un agent de brevets à traiter une

affaire ou à mener une procédure devant un tribunal.

3) Un agent de brevets ne se rend pas coupable d’une violation de l’article 18 de la loi de 1955 sur les professions juridiques [Law Practitioners Act 1955] du seul fait qu’il a établi un document utilisé dans une procédure engagée devant le commissaire en vertu de la présente loi.

Radiation de l’inscription au registre des agents de brevets

Art. 102. — 1) Le tribunal peut, à la demande du commissaire ou de l’Institut des agents de brevets de Nouvelle-Zélande [New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys], avec l’autorisation écrite du procureur général, ordonner la radiation du nom d’un agent dans le registre des agents de brevets ou la suspension du droit d’exercer devant l’office des brevets de tout agent qui

a) est convaincu d’un délit commis dans l’exercice de sa profession, au sens de l’article 2 de la loi pénale de 1961 [Crimes Act 1961];

b) s’est rendu coupable d’une faute professionnelle et s’est révélé, de ce fait, indigne et incapable d’exercer en qualité d’agent de brevets; ou

c) s’est rendu coupable, de quelque autre manière, d’une grave irrégularité ou d’une conduite déshonorante et s’est révélé, de ce fait, indigne et incapable d’exercer en qualité d’agent de brevets.

2) Le commissaire et l’Institut des agents de brevets de Nouvelle-Zélande sont en droit de comparaître et d’être entendus dans la procédure engagée à la suite de la demande susmentionnée.

3) Aucune personne dont le nom a été radié du registre des agents de brevets en vertu du présent article ne peut y être inscrite de nouveau, sauf par décision du tribunal.

Restrictions à l’exercice de la profession d’agent de brevets

Art. 103. — 1) Nul individu, agissant isolément ou en association, ne peut exercer une activité, pratiquer, agir ou se présenter comme conseil en brevets ou agent de brevets, ni se laisser présenter comme tel, s’il n’est inscrit au registre en qualité d’agent de brevets ou, selon le cas, si lui et tous ses associés ne sont inscrits comme tels.

2) Nulle société ne peut exercer une activité, pratiquer, agir ou se présenter comme conseil en brevets ou agent de brevets, ni se laisser présenter comme telle.

Toutefois, le présent alinéa ne s’applique pas dans le cas d’une société qui, immédiatement avant l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, exerçait l’activité d’agent de brevets pendant une période ou des périodes durant lesquelles l’administrateur ou le directeur de la société était inscrit au registre en qualité d’agent de brevets.

3) Aux fins du présent article, une personne ou une société qui entreprend à titre onéreux, en Nouvelle-Zélande,

a) de demander ou d’obtenir des brevets en Nouvelle-Zélande ou à l’étranger; b) d’établir des mémoires descriptifs de brevet ou d’autres documents aux fins

de la présente loi ou de la loi sur les brevets d’un pays étranger; ou

c) de donner des conseils autres que de nature scientifique ou technique quant à la validité des brevets ou aux atteintes dont ils peuvent faire l’objet

est réputée exercer l’activité d’agent de brevets.

4) Toute personne ou société qui ne se conforme pas aux dispositions du présent article, ou qui agit en violation de ces dispositions, commet un délit et est passible, en procédure sommaire, d’une amende n’excédant pas 200 dollars.

5) Nulle disposition du présent article ne peut être interprétée comme interdisant aux avocats ou aux avoués de la Haute Cour de Nouvelle-Zélande de donner des conseils à titre professionnel ou de participer aux procédures engagées en vertu de la présente loi comme ils le faisaient auparavant.

6) Nulle disposition du présent article n’interdit à l’exécuteur testamentaire d’un agent de brevets décédé de poursuivre l’activité ou la pratique de ce dernier pendant une période de trois ans au maximum à dater du décès ou pendant une période plus longue que le tribunal pourrait autoriser, si l’exécuteur testamentaire est lui-même inscrit au registre des agents de brevets ou emploie une personne qui y est inscrite pour diriger son entreprise ou son étude.

Recouvrement des honoraires de l’agent de brevets

Art. 104. — 1) Nul agent de brevets ne peut engager ou poursuivre une action en recouvrement d’honoraires, frais et débours payés, encourus ou assumés par lui dans une affaire qu’il a menée en qualité d’agent de brevets avant l’expiration d’un délai de sept jours suivant la remise à la partie débitrice de sa note d’honoraires, frais et débours, signée de sa main (ou, dans le cas d’une société de personnes, de celle de l’un des associés avec le nom de la société), ou accompagnée d’une lettre signée de la même main et se référant à cette note.

2) La note ou la lettre peut être remise en main propre à la partie débitrice, ou être déposée à son établissement principal ou à son domicile, ou à son dernier lieu de résidence connu, ou lui être envoyée par la poste sous pli recommandé adressé comme il est indiqué ci-dessus. En cas d’envoi par la poste, la lettre est réputée avoir été remise à l’heure et à la date de la distribution normale du courrier postal.

Délits

Falsification de registre, etc.

Art. 105. Quiconque porte ou fait porter une fausse inscription dans un registre tenu en vertu de la présente loi, ou établit ou fait établir un écrit faussement présenté comme étant la copie d’une inscription dans un registre, ou bien produit, présente ou fait produire ou présenter comme moyen de preuve un tel écrit, en sachant que l’inscription ou l’écrit est un faux, commet un délit et est passible, sur condamnation après inculpation, d’un emprisonnement de deux ans au plus.

Allégations mensongères concernant les droits de brevet

Art. 106. — 1) Toute personne qui prétend faussement qu’elle-même ou une autre personne est titulaire d’un brevet d’invention ou a demandé un brevet d’invention se rend coupable d’un délit et est passible, en procédure sommaire, d’une amende de 200 dollars au plus.

2) Toute personne qui prétend faussement qu’un article vendu par elle est breveté en Nouvelle-Zélande ou fait l’objet d’une demande de brevet en Nouvelle-Zélande se rend coupable d’un délit et est passible, en procédure sommaire, d’une amende n’excédant pas 100 dollars.

3) Aux fins du présent article,

a) une personne est réputée prétendre qu’un article est breveté en Nouvelle- Zélande si, sur l’article, est estampillé, gravé, imprimé ou apposé d’une autre manière le mot «patent»ou «patented» ou l’expression «provisional patent» [brevet provisoire], ou tout autre mot ou expression signifiant ou impliquant qu’un brevet a été obtenu en Nouvelle-Zélande pour cet article; et

b) une personne est réputée prétendre qu’un article fait l’objet d’une demande de brevet en Nouvelle-Zélande si, sur l’article, sont estampillés, gravés, imprimés ou apposés d’une autre manière les mots «patent applied» [brevet demandé], «patent pending» [brevet en instance], ou tous autres mots

impliquant qu’une demande de brevet a été déposée en Nouvelle-Zélande pour cet article.

Toutefois, dans des poursuites engagées en vertu du présent alinéa, un moyen de défense suffisant consistera à établir que l’article en cause était breveté ou faisait l’objet d’une demande de brevet à la date et dans le pays où les mots en question ont été estampillés, gravés, imprimés ou apposés d’une autre manière sur cet article.

4) Toute personne qui utilise, dans son établissement ou sur un document émis par elle ou d’une autre façon, les mots «Patent Office» [office des brevets] ou toute autre mention suggérant que son établissement est l’office des brevets ou a une lien officiel avec cet office, se rend coupable d’un délit et est passible, en procédure sommaire, d’une amende n’excédant pas 100 dollars.

Protection des armoiries royales

Art. 107. La délivrance d’un brevet en vertu de la présente loi n’autorise pas en soi le titulaire du brevet à utiliser ou à faire figurer sur un article breveté une reproduction visée aux articles 12 à 15 de la loi de 1981 portant protection des drapeaux, emblèmes et noms [Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981].

Délits commis par les sociétés Art. 108. Si un délit par infraction aux articles 25, 26, 103 ou 105 de la présente loi

est commis par une personne morale, quiconque est, au moment des faits, administrateur, directeur général, secrétaire ou autre responsable de rang équivalent de la société, ou est réputé agir en cette qualité, est considéré comme coupable du délit à moins de prouver que le délit a été commis sans son consentement ni sa complicité et qu’il a exercé, pour prévenir ledit délit, toute la diligence requise eu égard à la nature des fonctions qui lui incombaient en cette qualité et à toutes les circonstances.

Art. 109. [Abrogé]

Dispositions diverses

Acheminement des avis, etc., par voie postale

Art. 110. — 1) Tous avis, demandes ou autres documents qui peuvent ou doivent être communiqués, présentés ou déposés en vertu de la présente loi peuvent l’être par voie postale, dans une lettre envoyée à l’adresse habituelle ou à la dernière adresse connue de l’intéressé.

2) Lorsque le commissaire envoie un avis à une personne par voie postale selon les modalités décrites ci-dessus, l’avis est réputé avoir été communiqué à la date à laquelle la lettre qui le contient aurait été distribuée dans le cadre du fonctionnement normal des services postaux.

Déclaration de personnes frappées d’incapacité

Art. 111. — 1) Si une personne est inapte à faire une déclaration ou à accomplir un acte exigé ou autorisé en vertu de la présente loi parce qu’elle n’est pas majeure et qu’elle est frappée d’incapacité, le tuteur, le conseil ou, le cas échéant, l’administrateur légal de cette personne ou, à défaut, toute personne nommée par un tribunal compétent pour connaître des questions liées au patrimoine de l’intéressé, peut faire cette déclaration ou une déclaration aussi proche de celle-ci que les circonstances le permettent, et accomplir l’acte en question au nom et pour le compte de la personne frappée d’incapacité.

2) Le tribunal peut procéder à une nomination aux fins du présent article à la demande de toute personne agissant pour le compte de la personne frappée d’incapacité ou de toute autre personne ayant un intérêt à ce que la déclaration soit faite ou à ce que l’acte soit accompli.

Bulletin, index, etc.

Art. 112. — 1) Le commissaire fait paraître périodiquement un bulletin intitulé «Patent Office Journal» [bulletin de l’office des brevets]; sous réserve des dispositions de l’article 91.1) de la présente loi, il y publie tous les renseignements concernant les demandes de brevet, déposées avant ou après l’entrée en vigueur de la loi, qui sont prescrits par les règlements édictés en vertu de la loi et tous autres éléments dont la présente loi ou d’autres dispositions juridiques ordonnent la publication dans le bulletin, ainsi que les autres éléments ou renseignements qui peuvent lui paraître utiles et importants pour les propriétaires de brevets enregistrés ou en vigueur en Nouvelle- Zélande.

2) Le commissaire peut établir et publier, de la manière et sous la forme qu’il estime opportunes, les index, mémoires descriptifs, abrégés de mémoires, catalogues et autres ouvrages qu’il juge utiles concernant les inventions et brevets.

3) Le commissaire peut tenir et réviser occasionnellement une classification, par matière, des mémoires descriptifs déposés en Nouvelle-Zélande et accessibles au public pour consultation, et des publications concernant les brevets éditées en Nouvelle-Zélande qui peuvent être nécessaires ou utiles aux fins de déterminer avec aisance et exactitude la nouveauté des inventions faisant l’objet des demandes de brevet déposées.

Règlement du tribunal

Art. 113. — 1) Des règles régissant la pratique et la procédure du tribunal dans les actions engagées en vertu de la présente loi peuvent être établies conformément aux dispositions de l’article 3 de la loi de 1930 portant modification du code d’administration de la justice [Judicature Amendment Act 1930]. Sous réserve de ces dispositions, les actions peuvent être engagées conformément à la pratique et à la procédure suivies par le tribunal en pareil cas.

2) Ces règles peuvent prévoir la nomination de conseillers scientifiques chargés d’assister le tribunal dans les actions pour atteinte à un brevet ainsi que dans les actions engagées en vertu de la présente loi, et définir les fonctions et la rémunération de ces conseillers.

3) Toute action pour atteinte à un brevet est jugée sans le concours d’un jury, à moins que le tribunal n’en dispose autrement.

Règlements

Art. 114. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de la présente loi, le gouverneur général peut, s’il y a lieu, édicter par voie d’ordonnance en Conseil tout règlement qu’il juge nécessaire ou opportun pour donner effet aux dispositions de la loi et en assurer la bonne application.

2) Sans préjudice de la compétence générale définie à l’alinéa 1) ci-dessus, des règlements peuvent être édictés en vertu du présent article aux fins suivantes :

a) réglementer le fonctionnement de l’office des brevets en ce qui concerne les brevets;

b) réglementer toutes les opérations que la présente loi place sous la direction ou la supervision du commissaire;

c) prescrire la forme et les modalités que doivent respecter les demandes de brevet et les mémoires descriptifs de brevet, les dessins ou autres documents qui peuvent être déposés auprès de l’office des brevets et exiger que soient fournies des copies de tous ces documents;

d) réglementer la procédure à suivre concernant une demande ou une requête adressée au commissaire ou concernant une procédure engagée devant le commissaire, et autoriser la rectification des irrégularités de procédure;

e) réglementer la tenue du registredes agentsdebrevets; f) réglementer l’inscription au registre des agents de brevets et en prescrire les

conditions et modalités;

g) réglementer la procédure de radiation du registre des agents de brevets et de suspension des agents en ce qui concerne leur activité devant l’office des brevets;

h) définir les catégories de personnes auxquelles le commissaire peut refuser de reconnaître la qualité d’agents en ce qui concerne les procédures engagées en vertu de la présente loi;

i) autoriser l’établissement, la publication, la vente et l’échange de copies de mémoires descriptifs de brevet, de dessins et autres documents à l’office des brevets, ainsi que d’index et d’abrégés de ces documents;

j) prescrire le mode de publicité de tout élément dont la présente loi exige la publicité;

k) arrêter les dispositions relatives à toute question dont la réglementation est autorisée ou exigée par la présente loi;

l) honorer les obligations incombant à la Nouvelle-Zélande en vertu du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets ou leur donner effet.

3) Tous les règlements édictés en vertu de la présente loi sont soumis au Parlement dans les 28 jours à compter de la date de leur élaboration si le Parlement est en session ou, sinon, dans les 28 jours à compter de la date d’ouverture de la session suivante.

Taxes

Art. 115. — 1) Sous réserve des dispositions de la présente loi, la délivrance des brevets, les demandes de brevet et d’autres opérations liées aux brevets et découlant de la présente loi, donnent lieu au paiement des taxes qui peuvent être prescrites par les règlements édictés en vertu de la loi; lesdites taxes doivent être versées au trésor public, au crédit du compte consolidé [Consolidated Account].

2) Toute somme versée au commissaire par erreur ou toute somme dont le paiement n’est pas exigé par les règlements édictés en vertu de la présente loi peut être remboursée par le commissaire; les sommes ainsi remboursées sont prélevées sur le compte consolidé en vertu de la présente loi, sans autre autorisation de dépense.

3) Les taxes afférentes aux demandes internationales peuvent, conformément aux obligations qui incombent à la Nouvelle-Zélande en vertu du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets, être perçues par le commissaire pour le compte

a) du Bureau international; ou b) de toute administration chargée de la recherche internationale qui a été agréée

par le ministre, aux fins du présent alinéa, en tant qu’autorité compétente au nom de laquelle le commissaire peut percevoir lesdites taxes.

Rapport annuel du commissaire

Art. 116. — 1) Au mois de juillet de chaque année, le commissaire fait rapport au ministre sur l’application de la présente loi au cours de l’exercice clos le 30 juin qui précède.

2) Le rapport comprend un état des taxes, traitements et salaires, allocations et autres sommes perçues ou versées en vertu de la présente loi au cours de l’exercice écoulé.

3) Le ministre dépose une copie du rapport devant la Chambre des députés [House of Representatives] dans les 28 jours de session qui suivent sa réception.

Sauvegarde des prérogatives royales, etc.

Art. 117. — 1) Nulle disposition de la présente loi ne peut supprimer, restreindre ou entraver les prérogatives de la Couronne concernant la délivrance ou le refus de délivrance des brevets.

2) Nulle disposition de la présente loi ne peut porter atteinte au droit de la Couronne, ou de toute personne qui est l’ayant droit direct ou indirect de la Couronne, de vendre ou d’utiliser des articles confisqués en vertu des lois relatives aux douanes ou aux contributions indirectes.

Application de la loi aux îles Tokélaou

Art. 118. La présente loi a force obligatoire dans les îles Tokélaou.

Abrogations et réserves

Art. 119. — 1) Les actes législatifs visés dans l’annexe 1 de la présente loi sont abrogés.

2) Les règlements visés dans l’annexe 2 de la présente loi sont rapportés.

3) Sans préjudice des dispositions de la loi de 1924 sur l’interprétation des lois [Acts Interpretation Act 1924], il est déclaré par la présente que

a) l’abrogation ou l’annulation de toute disposition en vertu de la présente loi est sans incidence sur les documents établis ou les actes, quels qu’ils soient, accomplis en vertu de la disposition ainsi abrogée ou annulée ou en vertu d’une disposition antérieure correspondante, et tout document ou acte de ce type, dans la mesure où il existe ou est valable lors de l’abrogation ou de l’annulation et où il aurait pu être établi ou accompli en vertu de la présente loi, continue à produire ses effets comme s’il avait été établi ou accompli en vertu de la disposition correspondante de la présente loi et comme si cette disposition avait été en vigueur lors de l’établissement du document ou de l’accomplissement de l’acte;

b) les dispositions transitoires énoncées dans l’annexe 3 de la présente loi s’appliqueront pendant la période de transition entre l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi et l’abrogation de la loi qui était en vigueur auparavant.

ANNEXES

Annexe 1 Textes législatifs abrogés

Art. 119.1)

1908, nº 140 — Loi de 1908 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques [The Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act 1908] — définition de l’expression «véritable et premier inventeur» à l’article2 .

1921-1922, nº 18 — Loi de 1921-1922 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques : partie I; partie IV dans son application aux brevets (réédition de 1931, vol. VI, p. 656).

1924, nº 40 — Loi modificative de 1924 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques [The Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Amendment Act 1924] (réédition de 1931, vol. VI, p. 736). 1929, nº 14 — Loi modificative de 1929 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques (réédition de 1931, vol. VI, p. 738).

1939, nº 26 — Loi modificative de 1939 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques : articles 53, 54, 55 et 71 dans leur application aux brevets; articles 56 à 68, 72 et 73.

1943, nº 6 — Loi modificative de 1943 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques : articles 5 et 7 dans leur application aux brevets; articles 2 à 4.

1946, nº 32 — Loi modificative de 1946 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques : articles 3, 4, 6 et 7 dans leur application aux brevets; articles 2 et 5.

1947, nº 37 — Loi modificative de 1947 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques : article 5 dans son application aux brevets; articles 3, 4 et 6.

1947, nº 66 — Loi de 1947 portant prorogation des règlements relatifs à la situation d’urgence [The Emergency Regulations Continuance Act 1947] : tout ce qui, dans l’annexe II, a trait au règlement de 1940 relatif à la situation d’urgence, concernant les brevets, les dessins et modèles, les marques et le droit d’auteur [Patents, Designs, Trade Marks, and Copyright Emergency Regulations 1940], et l’amendement nº 1 de ce règlement.

1953, nº 54 — Loi modificative de 1953 sur les droits de timbre [The Stamp Duties Amendment Act 1953] : tout ce qui, dans l’annexe, se rapporte à la loi de 1921-1922 sur les brevets, les dessins et modèles et les marques.

Annexe 2 Règlements rapportés

Art. 119.2)

Titre Numéro

Règlement de 1940 relatif à la situation d’urgence, concernant les brevets, les dessins et modèles, les marques et le droit d’auteur [The Patents, Designs, Trade Marks, and Copyright Emergency Regulations

1940] ... ... 1940/60

Amendement nº 1 ... ... 1943/91

Amendement nº 2 ... ... 1947/198

Amendement nº 3 ... ... 1948/43

Amendement nº 4 ... ... 1948/118

Annexe 3 Dispositions transitoires

Art. 119.3)b)

[. . .]1

1 Non reproduite ici (N.d.l.r.).

Patents Act 1953 (reprint as at 13 September 2014), New Zealand

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