ukpga/1977/37 — Patents Act 1977

Patents Act 1977 1977 c. 37 An Act to establish a new law of patents applicable to future patents and applications for patents; to amend the law of patents applicable to existing patents and applications for patents; to give effect to certain international conventions on patents; and for connected purposes. [29th July 1977] Part I New Domestic Law Patentability Patentable inventions. 1 1 A patent may be granted only for an invention in respect of which the following conditions are satisfied, that is to say— a the invention is new; b it involves an inventive step; c it is capable of industrial application; d the grant of a patent for it is not excluded by subsections (2) and (3) or section 4A below; and references in this Act to a patentable invention shall be construed accordingly. 2 It is hereby declared that the following (among other things) are not inventions for the purposes of this Act, that is to say, anything which consists of— a a discovery, scientific theory or mathematical method; b a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or any other aesthetic creation whatsoever; c a scheme, rule or method for performing a mental act, playing a game or doing business, or a program for a computer; d the presentation of information; but the foregoing provision shall prevent anything from being treated as an invention for the purposes of this Act only to the extent that a patent or application for a patent relates to that thing as such. 3 A patent shall not be granted for an invention the commercial exploitation of which would be contrary to public policy or morality. 4 For the purposes of subsection (3) above exploitation shall not be regarded as contrary to public policy or morality only because it is prohibited by any law in force in the United Kingdom or any part of it. 5 The Secretary of State may by order vary the provisions of subsection (2) above for the purpose of maintaining them in conformity with developments in science and technology; and no such order shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament. Novelty. 2 1 An invention shall be taken to be new if it does not form part of the state of the art. 2 The state of the art in the case of an invention shall be taken to comprise all matter (whether a product, a process, information about either, or anything else) which has at any time before the priority date of that invention been made available to the public (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) by written or oral description, by use or in any other way. 3 The state of the art in the case of an invention to which an application for a patent or a patent relates shall be taken also to comprise matter contained in an application for another patent which was published on or after the priority date of that invention, if the following conditions are satisfied, that is to say— a that matter was contained in the application for that other patent both as filed and as published; and b the priority date of that matter is earlier than that of the invention. 4 For the purposes of this section the disclosure of matter constituting an invention shall be disregarded in the case of a patent or an application for a patent if occurring later than the beginning of the period of six months immediately preceding the date of filing the application for the patent and either— a the disclosure was due to, or made in consequence of, the matter having been obtained unlawfully or in breach of confidence by any person— i from the inventor or from any other person to whom the matter was made available in confidence by the inventor or who obtained it from the inventor because he or the inventor believed that he was entitled to obtain it; or ii from any other person to whom the matter was made available in confidence by any person mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) above or in this sub-paragraph or who obtained it from any person so mentioned because he or the person from whom he obtained it believed that he was entitled to obtain it; b the disclosure was made in breach of confidence by any person who obtained the matter in confidence from the inventor or from any other person to whom it was made available, or who obtained it, from the inventor; or c the disclosure was due to, or made in consequence of the inventor displaying the invention at an international exhibition and the applicant states, on filing the application, that the invention has been so displayed and also, within the prescribed period, files written evidence in support of the statement complying with any prescribed conditions. 5 In this section references to the inventor include references to any proprietor of the invention for the time being. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inventive step. 3 An invention shall be taken to involve an inventive step if it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art, having regard to any matter which forms part of the state of the art by virtue only of section 2(2) above (and disregarding section 2(3) above). Industrial application. 4 1 ..., an invention shall be taken to be capable of industrial application if it can be made or used in any kind of industry, including agriculture. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Methods of treatment or diagnosis 4A 1 A patent shall not be granted for the invention of— a a method of treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy, or b a method of diagnosis practised on the human or animal body. 2 Subsection (1) above does not apply to an invention consisting of a substance or composition for use in any such method. 3 In the case of an invention consisting of a substance or composition for use in any such method, the fact that the substance or composition forms part of the state of the art shall not prevent the invention from being taken to be new if the use of the substance or composition in any such method does not form part of the state of the art. 4 In the case of an invention consisting of a substance or composition for a specific use in any such method, the fact that the substance or composition forms part of the state of the art shall not prevent the invention from being taken to be new if that specific use does not form part of the state of the art. Priority date. 5 1 For the purposes of this Act the priority date of an invention to which an application for a patent relates and also of any matter (whether or not the same as the invention) contained in any such application is, except as provided by the following provisions of this Act, the date of filing the application. 2 If in or in connection with an application for a patent (the application in suit) a declaration is made, whether by the applicant or any predecessor in title of his, complying with the relevant requirements of rules and specifying one or more earlier relevant applications for the purposes of this section made by the applicant or a predecessor in title of his and the application in suit has a date of filing during the period allowed under subsection (2A)(a) or (b) below , then— a if an invention to which the application in suit relates is supported by matter disclosed in the earlier relevant application or applications, the priority date of that invention shall instead of being the date of filing the application in suit be the date of filing the relevant application in which that matter was disclosed, or, if it was disclosed in more than one relevant application, the earliest of them; b the priority date of any matter contained in the application in suit which was also disclosed in the earlier relevant application or applications shall be the date of filing the relevant application in which that matter was disclosed or, if it was disclosed in more than one relevant application, the earliest of them. 2A The periods are— a the period of twelve months immediately following the date of filing of the earlier specified relevant application, or if there is more than one, of the earliest of them; and b where the comptroller has given permission under subsection (2B) below for a late declaration to be made under subsection (2) above, the period commencing immediately after the end of the period allowed under paragraph (a) above and ending at the end of the prescribed period. 2B The applicant may make a request to the comptroller for permission to make a late declaration under subsection (2) above. 2C The comptroller shall grant a request made under subsection (2B) above if, and only if— a the request complies with the relevant requirements of rules; and b the comptroller is satisfied that the applicant’s failure to file the application in suit within the period allowed under subsection (2A)(a) above was unintentional. 3 Where an invention or other matter contained in the application in suit was also disclosed in two earlier relevant applications filed by the same applicant as in the case of the application in suit or a predecessor in title of his and the second of those relevant applications was specified in or in connection with the application in suit, the second of those relevant applications shall, so far as concerns that invention or matter, be disregarded unless— a it was filed in or in respect of the same country as the first; and b not later than the date of filing the second, the first (whether or not so specified) was unconditionally withdrawn, or was abandoned or refused, without— i having been made available to the public (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere); ii leaving any rights outstanding; and iii having served to establish a priority date in relation to another application, wherever made. 4 The foregoing provisions of this section shall apply for determining the priority date of an invention for which a patent has been granted as they apply for determining the priority date of an invention to which an application for that patent relates. 5 In this section “ relevant application ” means any of the following applications which has a date of filing, namely— a an application for a patent under this Act; aa an application in or for a country (other than the United Kingdom) which is a member of the World Trade Organisation for protection in respect of an invention which, in accordance with the law of that country or a treaty or international obligation to which it is a party, is equivalent to an application for a patent under this Act; b an application in or for a convention country (specified under section 90 below) for protection in respect of an invention or an application which, in accordance with the law of a convention country or a treaty or international convention to which a convention country is a party, is equivalent to an application for a patent under this Act . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Disclosure of matter, etc. , between earlier and later applications. 6 1 It is hereby declared for the avoidance of doubt that where an application (the application in suit) is made for a patent and a declaration is made in accordance with section 5(2) above in or in connection with that application specifying an earlier relevant application, the application in suit and any patent granted in pursuance of it shall not be invalidated by reason only of relevant intervening acts. 2 In this section— “ relevant application ” has the same meaning as in section 5 above; and “ relevant intervening acts ” means acts done in relation to matter disclosed in an earlier relevant application between the dates of the earlier relevant application and the application in suit, as for example, filing another application for the invention for which the earlier relevant application was made, making information available to the public about that invention or that matter or working that invention, but disregarding any application, or the disclosure to the public of matter contained in any application, which is itself to be disregarded for the purposes of section 5(3) above. Right to apply for and obtain a patent and be mentioned as inventor Right to apply for and obtain a patent. 7 1 Any person may make an application for a patent either alone or jointly with another. 2 A patent for an invention may be granted— a primarily to the inventor or joint inventors; b in preference to the foregoing, to any person or persons who, by virtue of any enactment or rule of law, or any foreign law or treaty or international convention, or by virtue of an enforceable term of any agreement entered into with the inventor before the making of the invention, was or were at the time of the making of the invention entitled to the whole of the property in it (other than equitable interests) in the United Kingdom; c in any event, to the successor or successors in title of any person or persons mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above or any person so mentioned and the successor or successors in title of another person so mentioned; and to no other person. 3 In this Act “ inventor ” in relation to an invention means the actual deviser of the invention and “ joint inventor ” shall be construed accordingly. 4 Except so far as the contrary is established, a person who makes an application for a patent shall be taken to be the person who is entitled under subsection (2) above to be granted a patent and two or more persons who make such an application jointly shall be taken to be the persons so entitled. Determination before grant of questions about entitlement to patents, etc. 8 1 At any time before a patent has been granted for an invention (whether or not an application has been made for it)— a any person may refer to the comptroller the question whether he is entitled to be granted (alone or with any other persons) a patent for that invention or has or would have any right in or under any patent so granted or any application for such a patent; or b any of two or more co-proprietors of an application for a patent for that invention may so refer the question whether any right in or under the application should be transferred or granted to any other person; and the comptroller shall determine the question and may make such order as he thinks fit to give effect to the determination. 2 Where a person refers a question relating to an invention under subsection (1)(a) above to the comptroller after an application for a patent for the invention has been filed and before a patent is granted in pursuance of the application, then, unless the application is refused or withdrawn before the reference is disposed of by the comptroller, the comptroller may, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above and subject to subsection (6) below.— a order that the application shall proceed in the name of that person, either solely or jointly with that of any other applicant, instead of in the name of the applicant or any specified applicant; b where the reference was made by two or more persons, order that the application shall proceed in all their names jointly; c refuse to grant a patent in pursuance of the application or order the application to be amended so as to exclude any of the matter in respect of which the question was referred; d make an order transferring or granting any licence or other right in or under the application and give directions to any person for carrying out the provisions of any such order. 3 Where a question is referred to the comptroller under subsection (1)(a) above and— a the comptroller orders an application for a patent for the invention to which the question relates to be so amended; b any such application is refused under subsection 2(c) above before the comptroller has disposed of the reference (whether the reference was made before or after the publication of the application); or c any such application is refused under any other provision of this Act or is withdrawn before the comptroller has disposed of the reference (whether the application is refused or withdrawn before or after its publication) ; the comptroller may order that any person by whom the reference was made may within the prescribed period make a new application for a patent for the whole or part of any matter comprised in the earlier application or, as the case may be, for all or any of the matter excluded from the earlier application, subject in either case to section 76 below, and in either case that, if such a new application is made, it shall be treated as having been filed on the date of filing the earlier application. 4 Where a person refers a question under subsection (1)(b) above relating to an application, any order under subsection (1) above may contain directions to any person for transferring or granting any right in or under the application. 5 If any person to whom directions have been given under subsection (2)(d) or (4) above fails to do anything necessary for carrying out any such directions within 14 days after the date of the directions, the comptroller may, on application made to him by any person in whose favour or on whose reference the directions were given, authorise him to do that thing on behalf of the person to whom the directions were given. 6 Where on a reference under this section it is alleged that, by virtue of any transaction, instrument or event relating to an invention or an application for a patent, any person other than the inventor or the applicant for the patent has become entitled to be granted (whether alone or with any other persons) a patent for the invention or has or would have any right in or under any patent so granted or any application for any such patent, an order shall not be made under subsection (2)(a), (b) or (d) above on the reference unless notice of the reference is given to the applicant and any such person, except any of them who is a party to the reference. 7 If it appears to the comptroller on a reference of a question under this section that the question involves matters which would more properly be determined by the court, he may decline to deal with it and, without prejudice to the court’s jurisdiction to determine any such question and make a declaration, or any declaratory jurisdiction of the court in Scotland, the court shall have jurisdiction to do so. 8 No directions shall be given under this section so as to affect the mutual rights or obligations of trustees or of the personal representatives of deceased persons, or their right or obligations as such. Determination after grant of questions referred before grant. 9 If a question with respect to a patent or application is referred by any person to the comptroller under section 8 above, whether before or after the making of an application for the patent, and is not determined before the time when the application is first in order for a grant of a patent in pursuance of the application, that fact shall not prevent the grant of a patent, but on its grant that person shall be treated as having referred to the comptroller under section 37 below any question mentioned in that section which the comptroller thinks appropriate. Handling of application by joint applicants. 10 If any dispute arises between joint applicants for a patent whether or in what manner the application should be proceeded with, the comptroller may, on a request made by any of the parties, give such directions as he thinks fit for enabling the application to proceed in the name of one or more of the parties alone or for regulating the manner in which it shall be proceeded with, or for both those purposes, according as the case may require. Effect of transfer of application under s. 8 or 10. 11 1 Where an order is made or directions are given under section 8 or 10 above that an application for a patent shall proceed in the name of one or some of the original applicants (whether or not it is also to proceed in the name of some other person), any licences or other rights in or under the application shall, subject to the provisions of the order and any directions under either of those sections, continue in force and be treated as granted by the persons in whose name the application is to proceed. 2 Where an order is made or directions are given under section 8 above that an application for a patent shall proceed in the name of one or more persons none of whom was an original applicant (on the ground that the original applicant or applicants was or were not entitled to be granted the patent), any licences or other rights in or under the application shall, subject to the provisions of the order and any directions under that section and subject to subsection (3) below, lapse on the registration of that person or those persons as the applicant or applicants or, where the application has not been published, on the making of the order. 3 If before registration of a reference under section 8 above resulting in the making of any order mentioned in subsection (2) above— a the original applicant or any of the applicants, acting in good faith, worked the invention in question in the United Kingdom or made effective and serious preparations to do so; or b a licensee of the applicant, acting in good faith, worked the invention in the United Kingdom or made effective and serious preparations to do so; that or those original applicant or applicants or the licensee shall, on making a request within the prescribed period to the person in whose name the application is to proceed, be entitled to be granted a licence (but not an exclusive licence) to continue working or, as the case may be, to work the invention. 3A If, before registration of a reference under section 8 above resulting in the making of an order under subsection (3) of that section, the condition in subsection (3)(a) or (b) above is met, the original applicant or any of the applicants or the licensee shall, on making a request within the prescribed period to the new applicant, be entitled to be granted a licence (but not an exclusive licence) to continue working or, as the case may be, to work the invention so far as it is the subject of the new application. 4 A licence under subsection (3) or (3A) above shall be granted for a reasonable period and on reasonable terms. 5 Where an order is made as mentioned in subsection (2) or (3A) above, the person in whose name the application is to proceed or, as the case may be, who makes the new application or any person claiming that he is entitled to be granted any such licence may refer to the comptroller the question whether the latter is so entitled and whether any such period is or terms are reasonable, and the comptroller shall determine the question and may, if he considers it appropriate, order the grant of such a licence. Determination of questions about entitlement to foreign and convention patents, etc. 12 1 At any time before a patent is granted for an invention in pursuance of an application made under the law of any country other than the United Kingdom or under any treaty or international convention (whether or not that application has been made)— a any person may refer to the comptroller the question whether he is entitled to be granted (alone or with any other persons) any such patent for that invention or has or would have any right in or under any such patent or an application for such a patent; or b any of two or more co-proprietors of an application for such a patent for that invention may so refer the question whether any right in or under the application should be transferred or granted to any other person; and the comptroller shall determine the question so far as he is able to and may make such order as he thinks fit to give effect to the determination. 2 If it appears to the comptroller on a reference of a question under this section that the question involves matters which would more properly be determined by the court, he may decline to deal with it and, without prejudice to the court’s jurisdiction to determine any such question and make a declaration, or any declaratory jurisdiction of the court in Scotland, the court shall have jurisdiction to do so. 3 Subsection (1) above, in its application to a European patent and an application for any such patent, shall have effect subject to section 82 below. 4 Section 10 above, except so much of it as enables the comptroller to regulate the manner in which an application is to proceed, shall apply to disputes between joint applicants for any such patent as is mentioned in subsection (1) above as it applies to joint applicants for a patent under this Act. 5 Section 11 above shall apply in relation to— a any orders made under subsection (1) above and any directions given under section 10 above by virtue of subsection (4) above; and b any orders made and directions given by the relevant convention court with respect to a question corresponding to any question which may be determined under subsection (1) above; as it applies to orders made and directions given apart from this section under section 8 or 10 above. 6 In the following cases, that is to say— a where an application for a European patent ( UK ) is refused or withdrawn, or the designation of the United Kingdom in the application is withdrawn whether before or , after publication of the application but before a question relating to the right to the patent has been referred to the comptroller under subsection (1) above or before proceedings relating to that right have begun before the relevant convention court; b where an application has been made for a European patent (UK) and on a reference under subsection (1) above or any such proceedings as are mentioned in paragraph (a) above the comptroller, the court or the relevant convention court determines by a final decision (whether before or after publication of the application) that a person other than the applicant has the right to the patent, but that person requests the European Patent Office that the application for the patent should be refused; or c where an international application for a patent (UK) is withdrawn, or the designation of the United Kingdom in the application is withdrawn, whether before or after the making of any reference under subsection (1) above or the publication of the application; the comptroller may order that any person (other than the applicant) appearing to him to be entitled to be granted a patent under this Act may within the prescribed period make an application for such a patent for the whole or part of any matter comprised in the earlier application (subject, however, to section 76 below) and that if the application for a patent under this Act is filed, it shall be treated as having been filed on the date of filing the earlier application. 7 In this section— a references to a patent and an application for a patent include respectively references to protection in respect of an invention and an application which, in accordance with the law of any country other than the United Kingdom or any treaty or international convention, is equivalent to an application for a patent or for such protection; and b a decision shall be taken to be final for the purposes of this section when the time for appealing from it has expired without an appeal being brought or, where an appeal is brought, when it is finally disposed of. Mention of inventor. 13 1 The inventor or joint inventors of an invention shall have a right to be mentioned as such in any patent granted for the invention and shall also have a right to be so mentioned if possible in any published application for a patent for the invention and, if not so mentioned, a right to be so mentioned in accordance with rules in a prescribed document. 2 Unless he has already given the Patent Office the information hereinafter mentioned, an applicant for a patent shall within the prescribed period file with the Patent Office a statement— a identifying the person or persons whom he believes to be the inventor or inventors; and b where the applicant is not the sole inventor or the applicants are not the joint inventors, indicating the derivation of his or their right to be granted the patent; and, if he fails to do so, the application shall be taken to be withdrawn. 3 Where a person has been mentioned as sole or joint inventor in pursuance of this section, any other person who alleges that the former ought not to have been so mentioned may at any time apply to the comptroller for a certificate to that effect, and the comptroller may issue such a certificate; and if he does so, he shall accordingly rectify any undistributed copies of the patent and of any documents prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) above. Applications Making of application. 14 1 Every application for a patent— a shall be made in the prescribed form and shall be filed at the Patent Office in the prescribed manner; and b shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed for the purposes of this subsection (hereafter in this Act referred to as the filing fee). 1A Where an application for a patent is made, the fee prescribed for the purposes of this subsection (“the application fee”) shall be paid not later than the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(10)(c) below. 2 Every application for a patent shall contain— a a request for the grant of a patent; b a specification containing a description of the invention, a claim or claims and any drawing referred to in the description or any claim; and c an abstract; but the foregoing provision shall not prevent an application being initiated by documents complying with section 15(1) below. 3 The specification of an application shall disclose the invention in a manner which is clear enough and complete enough for the invention to be performed by a person skilled in the art. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The claim or claims shall— a define the matter for which the applicant seeks protection; b be clear and concise; c be supported by the description; and d relate to one invention or to a group of inventions which are so linked as to form a single inventive concept. 6 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5)(d) above, rules may provide for treating two or more inventions as being so linked as to form a single inventive concept for the purposes of this Act. 7 The purpose of the abstract is to give technical information and on publication it shall not form part of the state of the art by virtue of section 2(3) above, and the comptroller may determine whether the abstract adequately fulfils its purpose and, if it does not, may reframe it so that it does. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 An application for a patent may be withdrawn at any time before the patent is granted and any withdrawal of such an application may not be revoked. 10 Subsection (9) above does not affect the power of the comptroller under section 117(1) below to correct an error or mistake in a withdrawal of an application for a patent. Date of filing application. 15 1 Subject to the following provisions of this Act, the date of filing an application for a patent shall be taken to be the earliest date on which documents filed at the Patent Office to initiate the application satisfy the following conditions— a the documents indicate that a patent is sought; b the documents identify the person applying for a patent or contain information sufficient to enable that person to be contacted by the Patent Office; and c the documents contain either— i something which is or appears to be a description of the invention for which a patent is sought; or ii a reference, complying with the relevant requirements of rules, to an earlier relevant application made by the applicant or a predecessor in title of his. 2 It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (1)(c)(i) above— a whether the thing is in, or is accompanied by a translation into, a language accepted by the Patent Office in accordance with rules; b whether the thing otherwise complies with the other provisions of this Act and with any relevant rules. 3 Where documents filed at the Patent Office to initiate an application for a patent satisfy one or more of the conditions specified in subsection (1) above, but do not satisfy all those conditions, the comptroller shall as soon as practicable after the filing of those documents notify the applicant of what else must be filed in order for the application to have a date of filing. 4 Where documents filed at the Patent Office to initiate an application for a patent satisfy all the conditions specified in subsection (1) above, the comptroller shall as soon as practicable after the filing of the last of those documents notify the applicant of— a the date of filing the application, and b the requirements that must be complied with, and the periods within which they are required by this Act or rules to be complied with, if the application is not to be treated as having been withdrawn. 5 Subsection (6) below applies where— a an application has a date of filing by virtue of subsection (1) above; b within the prescribed period the applicant files at the Patent Office— i a drawing, or ii part of the description of the invention for which a patent is sought, and c that drawing or that part of the description was missing from the application at the date of filing. 6 Unless the applicant withdraws the drawing or the part of the description filed under subsection (5)(b) above (“the missing part”) before the end of the prescribed period— a the missing part shall be treated as included in the application; and b the date of filing the application shall be the date on which the missing part is filed at the Patent Office. 7 Subsection (6)(b) above does not apply if— a on or before the date which is the date of filing the application by virtue of subsection (1) above a declaration is made under section 5(2) above in or in connection with the application; b the applicant makes a request for subsection (6)(b) above not to apply; and c the request complies with the relevant requirements of rules and is made within the prescribed period. 8 Subsections (6) and (7) above do not affect the power of the comptroller under section 117(1) below to correct an error or mistake. 9 Where, after an application for a patent has been filed and before the patent is granted— a a new application is filed by the original applicant or his successor in title in accordance with rules in respect of any part of the matter contained in the earlier application, and b the conditions mentioned in subsection (1) above are satisfied in relation to the new application (without the new application contravening section 76 below), the new application shall be treated as having, as its date of filing, the date of filing the earlier application. 10 Where an application has a date of filing by virtue of this section, the application shall be treated as having been withdrawn if any of the following applies— a the applicant fails to file at the Patent Office, before the end of the prescribed period, one or more claims and the abstract; b where a reference to an earlier relevant application has been filed as mentioned in subsection (1)(c)(ii) above— i the applicant fails to file at the Patent Office, before the end of the prescribed period, a description of the invention for which the patent is sought; ii the applicant fails to file at the Patent Office, before the end of the prescribed period, a copy of the application referred to, complying with the relevant requirements of rules; c the applicant fails to pay the application fee before the end of the prescribed period; d the applicant fails, before the end of the prescribed period, to make a request for a search under section 17 below and pay the search fee. 11 In this section “relevant application” has the meaning given by section 5(5) above. Preliminary examination 15A 1 The comptroller shall refer an application for a patent to an examiner for a preliminary examination if— a the application has a date of filing; b the application has not been withdrawn or treated as withdrawn; and c the application fee has been paid. 2 On a preliminary examination of an application the examiner shall— a determine whether the application complies with those requirements of this Act and the rules which are designated by the rules as formal requirements for the purposes of this Act; and b determine whether any requirements under section 13(2) or 15(10) above remain to be complied with. 3 The examiner shall report to the comptroller his determinations under subsection (2) above. 4 If on the preliminary examination of an application it is found that— a any drawing referred to in the application, or b part of the description of the invention for which the patent is sought, is missing from the application, then the examiner shall include this finding in his report under subsection (3) above . 5 Subsections (6) to (8) below apply if a report is made to the comptroller under subsection (3) above that not all the formal requirements have been complied with. 6 The comptroller shall specify a period during which the applicant shall have the opportunity— a to make observations on the report, and b to amend the application so as to comply with those requirements (subject to section 76 below). 7 The comptroller may refuse the application if the applicant fails to amend the application as mentioned in subsection (6)(b) above before the end of the period specified by the comptroller under that subsection. 8 Subsection (7) above does not apply if— a the applicant makes observations as mentioned in subsection (6)(a) above before the end of the period specified by the comptroller under that subsection, and b as a result of the observations, the comptroller is satisfied that the formal requirements have been complied with. 9 If a report is made to the comptroller under subsection (3) above— a that any requirement of section 13(2) or 15(10) above has not been complied with; or b that a drawing or part of the description of the invention has been found to be missing, then the comptroller shall notify the applicant accordingly. Publication of application. 16 1 Subject to section 22 below and to any prescribed restrictions , where an application has a date of filing, then, as soon as possible after the end of the prescribed period, the comptroller shall, unless the application is withdrawn or refused before preparations for its publication have been completed by the Patent Office, publish it as filed (including not only the original claims but also any amendments of those claims and new claims subsisting immediately before the completion of those preparations) and he may, if so requested by the applicant, publish it as aforesaid during that period, and in either event shall advertise the fact and date of its publication in the journal. 2 The comptroller may omit from the specification of a published application for a patent any matter— a which in his opinion disparages any person in a way likely to damage him, or b the publication or exploitation of which would in his opinion be generally expected to encourage offensive, immoral or anti-social behaviour. Examination and search Search. 17 1 The comptroller shall refer an application for a patent to an examiner for a search if, and only if— a the comptroller has referred the application to an examiner for a preliminary examination under section 15A(1) above; b the application has not been withdrawn or treated as withdrawn; c before the end of the prescribed period— i the applicant makes a request to the Patent Office in the prescribed form for a search; and ii the fee prescribed for the search (“the search fee”) is paid; d the application includes— i a description of the invention for which a patent is sought; and ii one or more claims; and e the description and each of the claims comply with the requirements of rules as to language. 2 On a preliminary examination of an application the examiner shall determine whether the application complies with those requirements of this Act and the rules which are designated by the rules as formal requirements for the purposes of this Act and shall report his determination to the comptroller. 3 If it is reported to the comptroller under subsection (2) above that not all the formal requirements are complied with, he shall give the applicant an opportunity to make observations on the report and to amend the application within a specified period (subject to section 15(5) above) so as to comply with those requirements (subject, however, to section 76 below), and if the applicant fails to do so the comptroller may refuse the application. 4 Subject to subsections (5) and (6) below, on a search requested under this section, the examiner shall make such investigation as in his opinion is reasonably practicable and necessary for him to identify the documents which he thinks will be needed to decide, on a substantive examination under section 18 below, whether the invention for which a patent is sought is new and involves an inventive step. 5 On any such search the examiner shall determine whether or not the search would serve any useful purpose on the application as for the time being constituted and— a if he determines that it would serve such a purpose in relation to the whole or part of the application, he shall proceed to conduct the search so far as it would serve such a purpose and shall report on the results of the search to the comptroller; and b if he determines that the search would not serve such a purpose in relation to the whole or part of the application, he shall report accordingly to the comptroller; and in either event the applicant shall be informed of the examiner’s report. 6 If it appears to the examiner, either before or on conducting a search under this section, that an application relates to two or more inventions, but that they are not so linked as to form a single inventive concept, he shall initially only conduct a search in relation to the first invention specified in the claims of the application, but may proceed to conduct a search in relation to another invention so specified if the applicant pays the search fee in respect of the application so far as it relates to that other invention. 7 After a search has been requested under this section for an application the comptroller may at any time refer the application to an examiner for a supplementary search, and subsections (4) and (5) above shall apply in relation to a supplementary search as they apply in relation to any other search under this section. 8 A reference for a supplementary search in consequence of— a an amendment of the application made by the applicant under section 18(3) or 19(1) below, or b a correction of the application, or of a document filed in connection with the application, under section 117 below, shall be made only on payment of the prescribed fee, unless the comptroller directs otherwise. Substantive examination and grant or refusal of patent. 18 1 Where the conditions imposed by section 17(1) above for the comptroller to refer an application to an examiner for a ... search are satisfied and at the time of the request under that subsection or within the prescribed period— a a request is made by the applicant to the Patent Office in the prescribed form for a substantive examination; and b the prescribed fee is paid for the examination; the comptroller shall refer the application to an examiner for a substantive examination; and if no such request is made or the prescribed fee is not paid within that period, the application shall be treated as having been withdrawn at the end of that period. 1A If the examiner forms the view that a supplementary search under section 17 above is required for which a fee is payable, he shall inform the comptroller, who may decide that the substantive examination should not proceed until the fee is paid; and if he so decides, then unless within such period as he may allow— a the fee is paid, or b the application is amended so as to render the supplementary search unnecessary, he may refuse the application. 2 On a substantive examination of an application the examiner shall investigate, to such extent as he considers necessary in view of any examination carried out under section 15A above and search carried out under section 17 above, whether the application complies with the requirements of this Act and the rules and shall determine that question and report his determination to the comptroller. 3 If the examiner reports that any of those requirements are not complied with, the comptroller shall give the applicant an opportunity within a specified period to make observations on the report and to amend the application so as to comply with those requirements (subject, however, to section 76 below), and if the applicant fails to satisfy the comptroller that those requirements are complied with, or to amend the application so as to comply with them, the comptroller may refuse the application. 4 If the examiner reports that the application, whether as originally filed or as amended in pursuance of section 15A above, this section or section 19 below, complies with those requirements at any time before the end of the prescribed period, the comptroller shall notify the applicant of that fact and, subject to subsection (5) and sections 19 and 22 below and on payment within the prescribed period of any fee prescribed for the grant, grant him a patent. 5 Where two or more applications for a patent for the same invention having the same priority date are filed by the same applicant or his successor in title, the comptroller may on that ground refuse to grant a patent in pursuance of more than one of the applications. General power to amend application before grant. 19 1 At any time before a patent is granted in pursuance of an application the applicant may, in accordance with the prescribed conditions and subject to section 76 below, amend the application of his own volition. 2 The comptroller may, without an application being made to him for the purpose, amend the specification and abstract contained in an application for a patent so as to acknowledge a registered trade mark. Failure of application. 20 1 If it is not determined that an application for a patent complies before the end of the prescribed period with all the requirements of this Act and the rules, the application shall be treated as having been refused by the comptroller at the end of that period, and section 97 below shall apply accordingly. 2 If at the end of that period an appeal to the court is pending in respect of the application or the time within which such an appeal could be brought has not expired, that period— a where such an appeal is pending, or is brought within the said time or before the expiration of any extension of that time granted (in the case of a first extension) on an application made within that time or (in the case of a subsequent extension) on an application made before the expiration of the last previous extension, shall be extended until such date as the court may determine; b where no such appeal is pending or is so brought, shall continue until the end of the said time or, if any extension of that time is so granted, until the expiration of the extension or last extension so granted. Reinstatement of applications 20A 1 Subsection (2) below applies where an application for a patent is refused, or is treated as having been refused or withdrawn, as a direct consequence of a failure by the applicant to comply with a requirement of this Act or rules within a period which is— a set out in this Act or rules, or b specified by the comptroller. 2 Subject to subsection (3) below, the comptroller shall reinstate the application if, and only if— a the applicant requests him to do so; b the request complies with the relevant requirements of rules; and c he is satisfied that the failure to comply referred to in subsection (1) above was unintentional. 3 The comptroller shall not reinstate the application if— a an extension remains available under this Act or rules for the period referred to in subsection (1) above; or b the period referred to in subsection (1) above is set out or specified— i in relation to any proceedings before the comptroller; ii for the purposes of section 5(2A)(b) above; or iii for the purposes of a request under this section or section 117B below. 4 Where the application was made by two or more persons jointly, a request under subsection (2) above may, with the leave of the comptroller, be made by one or more of those persons without joining the others. 5 If the application has been published under section 16 above, then the comptroller shall publish notice of a request under subsection (2) above in the prescribed manner. 6 The reinstatement of an application under this section shall be by order. 7 If an application is reinstated under this section the applicant shall comply with the requirement referred to in subsection (1) above within the further period specified by the comptroller in the order reinstating the application. 8 The further period specified under subsection (7) above shall not be less than two months. 9 If the applicant fails to comply with subsection (7) above the application shall be treated as having been withdrawn on the expiry of the period specified under that subsection. Effect of reinstatement under section 20A 20B 1 The effect of reinstatement under section 20A of an application for a patent is as follows. 2 Anything done under or in relation to the application during the period between termination and reinstatement shall be treated as valid. 3 If the application has been published under section 16 above before its termination anything done during that period which would have constituted an infringement of the rights conferred by publication of the application if the termination had not occurred shall be treated as an infringement of those rights— a if done at a time when it was possible for the period referred to in section 20A(1) above to be extended, or b if it was a continuation or repetition of an earlier act infringing those rights. 4 If the application has been published under section 16 above before its termination and, after the termination and before publication of notice of the request for its reinstatement, a person— a began in good faith to do an act which would have constituted an infringement of the rights conferred by publication of the application if the termination had not taken place, or b made in good faith effective and serious preparations to do such an act, he has the right to continue to do the act or, as the case may be, to do the act, notwithstanding the reinstatement of the application and the grant of the patent; but this right does not extend to granting a licence to another person to do the act. 4A The right conferred by subsection (4) does not become exercisable until the end of the period during which a request may be made under this Act, or under the rules, for an extension of the period referred to in section 20A(1). 5 If the act was done, or the preparations were made, in the course of a business, the person entitled to the right conferred by subsection (4) above may— a authorise the doing of that act by any partners of his for the time being in that business, and b assign that right, or transmit it on death (or in the case of a body corporate on its dissolution), to any person who acquires that part of the business in the course of which the act was done or the preparations were made. 6 Where a product is disposed of to another in exercise of a right conferred by subsection (4) or (5) above, that other and any person claiming through him may deal with the product in the same way as if it had been disposed of by the applicant. 6A The above provisions apply in relation to the use of a patented invention for the services of the Crown as they apply in relation to infringement of the rights conferred by publication of the application for a patent (or, as the case may be, infringement of the patent). 7 In this section “termination”, in relation to an application, means— a the refusal of the application, or b the application being treated as having been refused or withdrawn. Observations by third party on patentability. 21 1 Where an application for a patent has been published but a patent has not been granted to the applicant, any other person may make observations in writing to the comptroller on the question whether the invention is a patentable invention, stating reasons for the observations, and the comptroller shall consider the observations in accordance with rules. 2 It is hereby declared that a person does not become a party to any proceedings under this Act before the comptroller by reason only that he makes observations under this section. Security and safety Information prejudicial to national security or safety of public. 22 1 Where an application for a patent is filed in the Patent Office (whether under this Act or any treaty or international convention to which the United Kingdom is a party and whether before or after the appointed day) and it appears to the comptroller that the application contains information of a description notified to him by the Secretary of State as being information the publication of which might be prejudicial to national security , the comptroller may give directions prohibiting or restricting the publication of that information or its communication to any specified person or description of persons. 2 If it appears to the comptroller that any application so filed contains information the publication of which might be prejudicial to the safety of the public, he may give directions prohibiting or restricting the publication of that information or its communication to any specified person or description of persons until the end of a period not exceeding three months from the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of section 16 above. 3 While directions are in force under this section with respect to an application— a if the application is made under this Act, it may proceed to the stage where it is in order for the grant of a patent, but it shall not be published and that information shall not be so communicated and no patent shall be granted in pursuance of the application; b if it is an application for a European patent, it shall not be sent to the European Patent Office; and c if it is an international application for a patent, a copy of it shall not be sent to the International Bureau or any international searching authority appointed under the Patent Co-operation Treaty. 4 Subsection (3)(b) above shall not prevent the comptroller from sending the European Patent Office any information which it is his duty to send that office under the European Patent Convention. 5 Where the comptroller gives directions under this section with respect to any application, he shall give notice of the application and of the directions to the Secretary of State, and the following provisions shall then have effect:— a the Secretary of State shall, on receipt of the notice, consider whether the publication of the application or the publication or communication of the information in question would be prejudicial to national security or the safety of the public; b if the Secretary of State determines under paragraph (a) above that the publication of the application or the publication or communication of that information would be prejudicial to the safety of the public, he shall notify the comptroller who shall continue his directions under subsection (2) above until they are revoked under paragraph (e) below; c if the Secretary of State determines under paragraph (a) above that the publication of the application or the publication or communication of that information would be prejudicial to national security or the safety of the public, he shall (unless a notice under paragraph (d) below has previously been given by the Secretary of State to the comptroller) reconsider that question during the period of nine months from the date of filing the application and at least once in every subsequent period of twelve months; d if on consideration of an application at any time it appears to the Secretary of State that the publication of the application or the publication or communication of the information contained in it would not, or would no longer, be prejudicial to national security or the safety of the public, he shall give notice to the comptroller to that effect; and e on receipt of such a notice the comptroller shall revoke the directions and may, subject to such conditions (if any) as he thinks fit, extend the time for doing anything required or authorised to be done by or under this Act in connection with the application, whether or not that time has previously expired. 6 The Secretary of State may do the following for the purpose of enabling him to decide the question referred to in subsection (5)(c) above— a where the application contains information relating to the production or use of atomic energy or research into matters connected with such production or use, he may at any time do one or both of the following, that is to say, i inspect the application and any documents sent to the comptroller in connection with it; ii authorise a government body with responsibility for the production of atomic energy or for research into matters connected with its production or use, or a person appointed by such a government body, to inspect the application and any documents sent to the comptroller in connection with it ; and b in any other case, he may at any time after (or, with the applicant’s consent, before) the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of section 16 above inspect the application and any such documents; and where a government body or a person appointed by a government body carries out an inspection which the body or person is authorised to carry out under paragraph (a) above, the body or (as the case may be) the person shall report on the inspection to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable. 7 Where directions have been given under this section in respect of an application for a patent for an invention and, before the directions are revoked, that prescribed period expires and the application is brought in order for the grant of a patent, then— a if while the directions are in force the invention is worked by (or with the written authorisation of or to the order of) a government department, the provisions of sections 55 to 59 below shall apply as if— i the working were use made by section 55; ii the application had been published at the end of that period; and iii a patent had been granted for the invention at the time the application is brought in order for the grant of a patent (taking the terms of the patent to be those of the application as it stood at the time it was so brought in order); and b if it appears to the Secretary of State that the applicant for the patent has suffered hardship by reason of the continuance in force of the directions, the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, make such payment (if any) by way of compensation to the applicant as appears to the Secretary of State and the Treasury to be reasonable having regard to the inventive merit and utility of the invention, the purpose for which it is designed and any other relevant circumstances.