NEW PATENT LAW.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 293, 4 September 1908, Page 7

NEW PATENT LAW.

• - A FOREIGN CRUSADE. ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE BRITAIN. (BI) TELEUIUPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPIKIfIHT.) (Rec. September .3, 10.30 p.m.) V \ London; September 3. Tho "Daily Mail's'.' Berlin correspondent ssserts.that manufacturers in various countries have initiated a crusade against the British patent laws. It is hopod that tho countries concerned, will mutually enter into favourable patent treaties with a view of isolating Britain and bringing her to terms. ■GERMANS AND THE PATENT ACT. ' The "Daily Mail" of June 26 states: "Ever 6inbO Mr. Lloyd-George ' passed his excellent Patent Act, it has been an open secret that 'Gorman traders and manufacturers viewed tlia new .'measure with disapproval. They had come to'regard tho British market as their special right—their preserve—though by the high German protective tariff they exclude, or do their best-to exclude, British trade from the German market. . It is not surprising, then, that the . Union of, German Industrialists, a combination which answers in many respects to our Associated Chambers of Commerce, and which contains representatives of the greatest German industries, should have petitioned the German Government against the Ae.t and urged that Government to obtain from the British authorities ;a year's extension of • the time limit. Under the Act, any 'person in this country may apply for'the revocation of a foieijjn patent .on tho ground that it, is not worked in the; United Kingdom, provided not less than faur'years havo elapsed since tho grant of the patent, or not less than one year since the passing; of. tho Act. The period of one year from the passage, of the Act expires on August 28 next, when all the older foreign patents which are.not operated on British soil may bo forfeited.'! ,The far-seeing German, ftrms have already ..taken steps to transfer their industries in part', to England—a course which, wo need scarcely-say,- will confer an immense benefit upon British labour. But the less provident have delayed and done nothing, apparently believing that the British Act would never be put'into, force: As for the talk of retaliation, that , will, frighten nobody. All that could be done: to drive British products from German markets , was accomplished years ago. Retaliatory measures at this stage cannot injure British trade, and : will only strengthen the Fiscal Reform: movement in England/'