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1946 NEW ZEALAND

PATENTS, DESIGNS, AND TRADE-MARKS FIFTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 128 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks Act, 1921-22

REPORT

I have the honour, in accordance with section 128, to submit my report on the administration of the Act during the year 1945. The number of applications for the grant of letters patent and for the registration of designs and trade-marks received during the year reached the record total of 4,159, which is 424 in excess of the number received in 1929, when the previous highest figures were attained. The fees collected amounted to £17,247 and show a substantial increase over preceding years. The surplus of £10,678 is also a record. PATENT LAW AND ADMINISTKATION The reform of the patent system is a matter which has been receiving world-wide attention. In several countries new patent legislation has recently been enacted, while in other places the work of the investigating committees has yet to receive the consideration of the respective legislatures. The wide divergencies in the evidence adduced in other countries shows the necessity for each country to consider the factual situation in regard to the operation and effect of the patent system within its own boundaries. The investigation of the patent law and administration in New Zealand referred to in my last report is expected to commence at an early date. There has been a good deal of misunderstanding in regard to the purpose of the revision and possible amendments to existing patent legislation. The reward of the inventor and encouragement of the development of national industry remain the fundamental purposes of the patent system. The review of the law is to ensure that the patent law and administration achieve those objects. It has recently been emphasized that the economic factors involved from a national point of view are — (1) The necessity to cope with the rapid technological changes in the scientific development of industry : (2) The necessity for national trade policies to serve wider public interests : (3) The need for removal of impediments to the introduction of new industrial techniques : (4) The necessity for greater flexibility in post-war industrial organization. One difficulty resulting from the lack of technical staff in the Patent Office in the investigation of technical inventions is now being dealt with. Interim administrative machinery to put this important function of the Office on an efficient working basis is in train.