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Upon (1) the Conference agreed that, while it should be left to the United Kingdom and selfgoverning dominions and India to determine the conditions under which revocation of patents on the ground of non-working should be enforced, a system whereby compulsory licenses might be granted on proper application being made would meet the requirements both of the public and of trade and industry. Any such system should bo as simple and inexpensive as possible, and in this connection the carefully considered clauses of the United Kingdom Act of 1919 might be adopted as a, guide by the dominions and India in framing new legislation. So far as tho colonies and protectorates are concerned, any oxisting provision for revocation on the ground of non-working might be abolished, as it would be sufficient for those territories to rely upon a system of compulsory licenses. As regards (2), the Conference was impressed with the necessity of strengthening the, existing laws so as to ensure that the inventor should disclose the real invention and the best practical methods of carrying it out, and was of opinion that the possibility of amending the laws in this direction might bo further explored when opportunity arose. In this connection it was noted that the Canadian and Indian laws alone contained provisions authorizing the patent authorities to call for models of an invention where it was considered desirable. As regards (3), 'claims for products,' tho Conference agreed that the provisions of the United Kingdom and New Zealand laws in reference to claims for products were useful, and might with advantage be adopted throughout the Empire. On (4), relating to the registration of assignments, &c, the Conference appreciated the difficulties in the way of invalidating unregistered documents relating to patent rights, but agreed that some penalty should be fixed for non-registration, and that the provision, now in force in the United Kingdom might well bo adopted in those dominions and colonies which did not already possess similar legislation. With regard to (5). " duration of patents,'" it was agreed that the; term of a patent throughout the Empire should be, as far as possible, sixteen years, but that it should be within the discretion of any dominion to grant a longer term if so desired. On (6), "opposition and grounds of opposition," tho Conference resolved that opposition was an invaluable protection against the issue of invalid patents in the United Kingdom, the self-governing dominions, and India, and that the grounds of opposition should be, as uniform and as wide as possible. As regards the, colonies and protectorates, it was thought that, as in many instances the local official machinery was inadequate to deal with very technical matters which arise in cases of opposition, any questions in reference, to the grant of a patent or to its validity after grant should be dealt with by the Courts. In view of the existing legislation of Canada, the Canadian representative was not prepared to associate himself formally with this resolution. On the difficult question (7), whether an " importer " might properly be regarded as a " true and first inventor," there appeared to be a divergency of practice in the Empire, but it was generally agreed that the matter was not now of so great importance as formerly, in view of the rights granted under the Industrial Property Convention and similar arrangements, and of tho facilities of publication and communication between tho various countries. It was, however, agreed by the majority of the, delegates that the old doctrine that a person merely introducing an invention without the consent or approval of the. real inventor L entitled to patent protection might now be profitably reconsidered. The doctrine undoubtedly led in some instances to an importation being made in fraud of the real inventor, and a valid patent being obtained thereon. Conclusion. In conclusion, the Conference desires to put on record its recognition of the great advantages which have been derived from the present meeting of delegates. The Conference was, in fact, the first meeting which has ever been held of the experts or representatives of the various Patent Offices of His Majesty's dominions ; and, apart from any practical conclusions at which they have been able to arrive, the Conference has enabled the delegates to discuss with one, another the differences in law and practice and procedure throughout the British Empire, and to understand and appreciate the different conditions and the different problems which affect the various parts of the Empire. The representatives also desire to express their very high appreciation of the valuable services that have been rendered to them by their secretary, Mr. B. G. Crewe, both in the preparation of papers and data and in the provision of the daily reports of the discussions. In these duties he was ably assisted by the assistant secretary, Mr. G. H. Creasy, and to the efforts of both are due the very admirable arrangements made throughout for the conduct of the business of the. Conference. W. Temple Franks (Chairman). J. C. Lewis. A. J. Martin. C. W. T. B. Juta. ...,.: W. J. Lynch. H. G. Graves. R. G. Ferguson. G. Seth. B. G. Crewe, G. Hi Creasy, Secretaries. 23rd June, 1922. APPENDIX A. British Empire Patent. Note by the Comptroller of the Patent Office, London. (Circulated to Dominions by the Secretary of State for the Colonies with Dominions Despatch No. 26 of 20th January, 1920.) It is constantly urged that patents granted in the United Kingdom and the dominions should be valid throughout the Empire. At the present time separate patent rights have to be obtained in India and all the self-governing dominions. In the colonies British patents are for the most part registered, and become valid in the colony by registration. Under the existing system all the self-governing dominions, with, the exception of South Africa, make i

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