The Patents Rules 2007

• Citation: S.I. 2007/3291
• Sections: 170

Section 1 Citation and commencement

These Rules may be cited as the Patents Rules 2007 and shall come into force on 17th December 2007.

Section 2 General interpretation

(1) In these Rules—

“ the Act ” means the Patents Act 1977 and “section”, unless the contrary intention appears, means a section of the Act;

“ application number ” includes file number;

“ compliance date ” means the last day of the compliance period;

“ compliance period ” means the period prescribed by rule 30;

“ declared priority date ” has the meaning given to it by rule 3(1);

“ initiation date ” means the date on which a new application was initiated by documents, mentioned in section 15(1), being filed at the Patent Office;

“ new application ” means a new application filed under section 8(3), 12(6) or 37(4) or as mentioned in section 15(9);

“ no declared priority date ” has the meaning given to it by rule 3(2);

“ Patents Form ” has the meaning given to it by rule 4(1);

“ priority application ” means an earlier relevant application specified in a declaration for the purposes of section 5(2);

“ sequence ” and “ sequence listing ” have the same meaning as they have under the Patent Co-operation Treaty;

“ start date ” means, in relation to rules 106(6)(a) and 116 on supplementary protection certificates, the first day following the day on which the basic patent expires; and

“ termination ” has the meaning given by section 20B(7) and “ terminated ” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) Where a period of time has been altered under rules 20(4), 71(7), 81 or 107 to 111, any reference in these Rules to the period of time shall be construed as a reference to the period as altered.

(3) For the purposes of these Rules a document is available to the comptroller where—

(a) it is in electronic storage (whether in the Patent Office or elsewhere) and he can access it by using electronic communications; or

(b) it is kept at the Patent Office,

and he has been furnished with sufficient information to obtain a copy of the document.

(4) But a document may be treated as unavailable to the comptroller where—

(a) its accuracy cannot be verified to his satisfaction; or

(b) he has to pay to access it.

Section 3 The declared priority date

(1) For the purposes of these Rules the “declared priority date” is the date of filing of the earliest relevant application specified in a declaration made for the purposes of section 5(2) in, or in connection with, an application in suit.

(2) For the purposes of these Rules there is “no declared priority date” if—

(a) no declaration has been made for the purposes of section 5(2); or

(b) every declaration made has been withdrawn or disregarded before the end of the relevant period.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) the relevant period ends—

(a) in the case of an application which falls to be treated as an application for a patent under the Act by virtue of a direction under section 81, when that direction is given;

(b) in the case of an international application for a patent (UK), when the national phase of the application begins; or

(c) in any other case, when preparations for the application's publication have been completed by the Patent Office.

(4) In this rule references to declarations made for the purposes of section 5(2) include declarations treated as made for those purposes.

Section 4 Forms and documents

(1) The forms of which the use is required by these Rules are those set out in directions under section 123(2A) and are referred to in these Rules as Patents Forms.

(2) Such a requirement to use a form is satisfied by the use of a form which is acceptable to the comptroller and contains the information required by the form as so set out.

(3) Such directions must be published in accordance with rule 117(c).

(4) Unless the comptroller otherwise directs, to file any form or other document under the Act or these Rules only one side of each sheet of paper must be used and the other side must remain blank.

(5) But where the information is delivered in electronic form or using electronic communications—

(a) a requirement under these Rules to use a form; and

(b) the requirements in paragraph (4),

do not apply.

(6) Where any form or other document is delivered to the comptroller in electronic form or using electronic communications, any requirement in these Rules for multiple copies of that form or document to be filed does not apply.

Section 5 International exhibitions

(1) The statement mentioned in section 2(4)(c) that an invention has been displayed at an international exhibition must be in writing.

(2) The prescribed period for the purposes of section 2(4)(c) is four months beginning immediately after the date of filing.

(3) But paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply where rule 67(2) applies.

(4) The written evidence required by section 2(4)(c) must be in the form of—

(a) a certificate issued by the authority responsible for the international exhibition; and

(b) a statement, duly authenticated by that authority, identifying the invention as being the invention displayed at the exhibition.

(5) The certificate must include the opening date of the exhibition (or if later, the date on which the invention was first displayed).

(6) The comptroller may publish a statement in the journal that a particular exhibition falls within the definition of “international exhibition” in section 130(1) (interpretation).

Section 6 Declaration of priority for the purposes of section 5(2) (priority date)

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and rule 7(9), a declaration for the purposes of section 5(2) must be made at the time of filing the application for a patent.

(2) Subject to rule 7(9), a declaration for the purposes of section 5(2) may be made after the date of filing provided that—

(a) it is made on Patents Form 3;

(b) it is made before the end of the period of sixteen months beginning immediately following the date of filing of the earlier relevant application (or if there is more than one, the earliest of them) specified in that, or any earlier, declaration; and

(c) the condition in paragraph (3) is met.

(3) The condition is that—

(a) the applicant has not made a request under section 16(1) for publication of the application during the period prescribed for the purposes of that section; or

(b) any request made was withdrawn before preparations for the application's publication have been completed by the Patent Office.

(4) A declaration for the purposes of section 5(2) must specify—

(a) the date of filing of each earlier relevant application; and

(b) the country it was filed in or in respect of.

(5) In the case of a new application filed as mentioned in section 15(9), no declaration shall be made which has not also been made in, or in connection with, the earlier application.

Section 7 Request to the comptroller for permission to make a late declaration under section 5(2B)

(1) The period prescribed for the purposes of section 5(2A)(b) is two months.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), a request under section 5(2B) must be—

(a) made on Patents Form 3; and

(b) supported by evidence of why the application in suit was not filed before the end of the period allowed under section 5(2A)(a).

(3) Where that evidence does not accompany the request, the comptroller must specify a period within which the evidence must be filed.

(4) In relation to a new application, a request under section 5(2B) may be made in writing, instead of on Patents Form 3, and no evidence shall accompany it.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6) and rule 66(3), a request under section 5(2B) may only be made before the end of the period allowed under section 5(2A)(b).

(6) Where a new application is filed after the end of the period allowed under section 5(2A)(b), a request under section 5(2B) may be made on the initiation date.

(7) A request under section 5(2B) may only be made where—

(a) the condition in paragraph (8) is met; or

(b) the request is made in relation to an international application for a patent (UK).

(8) The condition is that—

(a) the applicant has not made a request under section 16(1) for publication of the application during the period prescribed for the purposes of that section; or

(b) any request made was withdrawn before preparations for the application's publication have been completed by the Patent Office.

(9) Where an applicant makes a request under section 5(2B), he must make the declaration for the purposes of section 5(2) at the same time as making that request.

Section 8 Filing of priority documents to support a declaration under section 5(2)

(1) In respect of each priority application to which this paragraph applies the applicant must, before the end of the relevant period, furnish to the comptroller the application number of that application; otherwise the comptroller must disregard the declaration made for the purposes of section 5(2), in so far as it relates to the priority application.

(2) In respect of each priority application to which this paragraph applies the applicant must, before the end of the relevant period, furnish to the comptroller a copy of that application—

(a) duly certified by the authority with which it was filed; or

(b) otherwise verified to the satisfaction of the comptroller,

otherwise the comptroller must disregard the declaration made for the purposes of section 5(2), in so far as it relates to the priority application.

(3) Paragraph (1) applies to every priority application except where the application in suit is an international application for a patent (UK) and the application number of the priority application was indicated in compliance with the Patent Co-operation Treaty.

(4) Paragraph (2) applies to every priority application except where—

(a) the application in suit is an international application for a patent (UK) and a certified copy of the priority application was filed in compliance with the Patent Co-operation Treaty; or

(b) the priority application or a copy of the priority application is available to the comptroller.

(5) For the purposes of this rule the relevant period is sixteen months beginning immediately after the declared priority date, subject to rule 21.

Section 9 Translation of priority documents

(1) The comptroller may direct the applicant to comply with the requirements of paragraph (4), if—

(a) a copy of the priority application has been—

(i) furnished in accordance with rule 8(2),

(ii) filed in compliance with the European Patent Convention,

(iii) filed in compliance with the Patent Co-operation Treaty, or

(iv) made by the comptroller in accordance with rule 112(2);

(b) that copy is in a language other than English or Welsh; and

(c) the matters disclosed in the priority application are relevant to the determination of whether or not an invention, to which the application in suit relates, is new or involves an inventive step.

(2) In his direction under paragraph (1), the comptroller shall specify a period within which the applicant must comply with the requirements of paragraph (4).

(3) But the comptroller shall not specify a period that ends after the grant of the patent.

(4) Where the comptroller has given a direction under paragraph (1), the applicant must, before the end of the period specified by the comptroller, file—

(a) an English translation of the priority application; or

(b) a declaration that the application in suit is a complete translation into English of the priority application,

otherwise the comptroller must disregard the declaration made for the purposes of section 5(2), in so far as it relates to the priority application.

Section 10 Mention of the inventor

(1) An inventor or joint inventor of an invention, if not mentioned in any published application for a patent, or in any patent granted, for the invention, must be mentioned in an addendum or an erratum to the application or patent.

(2) A person who alleges that any person ought to have been mentioned as the inventor or joint inventor of an invention may apply to the comptroller for that person to be so mentioned—

(a) in any patent granted for the invention; and

(b) if possible in any published application for a patent for the invention,

and, if not so mentioned, in the manner prescribed by paragraph (1).

(3) Subject to rules 21, 58(4), 59(3) and 68(2), the period prescribed for the purposes of section 13(2) is sixteen months beginning immediately after —

(a) where there is no declared priority date, the date of filing of the application; or

(b) where there is a declared priority date, that date.

(4) A statement filed under section 13(2) must be made on Patents Form 7.

Section 11 Waiving the right to be mentioned

(1) The inventor may, before preparations for the application's publication have been completed by the Patent Office, apply to the comptroller in writing to waive his right—

(a) to have his name and address mentioned as those of the inventor; or

(b) to have his address mentioned as that of the inventor.

(2) An application by an inventor under paragraph (1)(a) must—

(a) include his reasons for making the application; and

(b) be accepted by the comptroller where the comptroller is satisfied by those reasons.

(3) An application by an inventor under paragraph (1)(b) must be accepted by the comptroller.

(4) Where the comptroller has accepted an inventor's application to make a waiver under this rule, the inventor may apply to the comptroller to end that waiver.

(5) The comptroller may, if he thinks fit, accept an application to end a waiver, and his acceptance may be made subject to such conditions as he may direct.

(6) An application under paragraph (1)(a) or (b) or under paragraph (4) may also be made by a person who is not the inventor, but who has been identified as such for the purposes of section 13(2).

(7) Where a person makes an application in reliance on paragraph (6), the reference in this rule to an application to waive his right to have his name and address (or his address) mentioned shall be construed as a reference to an application not to have his name and address (or his address) mentioned; and paragraphs (4) and (5) shall be construed accordingly.

Section 12 Applications for the grant of patents under sections 14 and 15

(1) A request for the grant of a patent must be made on Patents Form 1.

(2) Where the documents filed at the Patent Office to initiate an application for a patent do not include the applicant's name and address, the comptroller shall notify the applicant that his name and address are required.

(3) Where the applicant has been so notified, he must, before the end of the period of two months beginning immediately after the date of the notification, file his name and address; otherwise the comptroller may refuse his application.

(4) The specification mentioned in section 14(2)(b) must be preceded by the title of the invention and must be set out in the following order—

(a) description;

(b) the claim or claims; and

(c) any drawing or photograph referred to in the description or any claim.

(5) But paragraph (4) does not apply where an application is delivered in electronic form or using electronic communications.

(6) The title of the invention must be short and indicate the matter to which the invention relates.

(6A) The claim or claims must not rely in respect of the technical features of the invention on references to the description or any drawing or photograph unless the feature cannot otherwise be clearly and concisely defined in words, by a mathematical or chemical formula or by any other written means.

(7) Where the specification includes drawings or photographs, the description must include a list of drawings and photographs briefly describing each of them.

(8) Where—

(a) the documents filed at the Patent Office to initiate an application for a patent include something which is or appears to be a description of the invention in a language other than English or Welsh; and

(b) the applicant has not filed a translation into English or Welsh of that thing,

the comptroller shall notify the applicant that a translation is required.

(9) Where the applicant has been so notified, he must, before the end of the period of two months beginning immediately after the date of the notification, file a translation; otherwise the comptroller may refuse his application.

Section 13 Biological material and sequence listings

(1) The provisions of Schedule 1 prescribe the circumstances in which the specification of an application for a patent, or of a patent, for an invention which involves the use of or concerns biological material is to be treated as disclosing 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.

(2) Where the specification of an application for a patent discloses a sequence, it must include a sequence listing.

(3) Where an applicant has not provided a sequence listing on filing the application, the comptroller may specify a period within which the applicant must provide the sequence listing; and if it is not provided within this period, the comptroller may refuse the application.

(4) Where a sequence listing is provided after the date of filing the application, the listing must be accompanied by a declaration that it does not contain matter extending beyond the sequence disclosed in the application.

(5) The sequence listing must comply with any requirements and standards adopted under the Patent Co-operation Treaty for the presentation of sequence listings in patent applications.

(6) A sequence listing shall, if it is reasonably possible, be delivered to the comptroller in electronic form or using electronic communications, even where the application for the patent is not delivered in electronic form or using electronic communications.

(7) A sequence listing may be set out either in the description or at the end of the application, but if set out at the end of the application rule 12(4) shall not apply.

Section 14 Size and presentation of application

(1) The contents of all documents (including annotations to drawings and photographs ) contained in an application for a patent must be in English or Welsh.

(2) The requirements for the documents contained in an application for a patent (other than drawings and photographs ) are set out in Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 2.

(3) The requirements for a drawing and a photograph contained in an application are set out in Parts 1 and 3 of that Schedule.

(4) All documents contained in an application (including drawings and photographs ) must comply with the requirements set out in Part 4 of that Schedule.

(5) Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to an application, or a sequence listing contained in an application, which is delivered in electronic form or using electronic communications.

Section 15 The abstract

(1) The abstract must start with a title for the invention.

(2) The abstract must contain a concise summary of the matter contained in the specification.

(3) That summary must include—

(a) an indication of the technical field to which the invention belongs;

(b) a technical explanation of the invention;

(c) the principal use of the invention.

(4) Where the specification contains more than one drawing or photograph , the abstract must include an indication of the drawing or photograph which should accompany the abstract when it is published.

(5) Where it appears to the comptroller that a drawing or photograph included in the specification better characterises the invention he shall publish it with the abstract.

(6) Where a feature of the invention included in the abstract is illustrated in a drawing or photograph , the feature must be followed by the reference for that feature used in that drawing or photograph .

(7) The abstract must not contain any statement on the merits or value of the invention or its speculative application.

Section 16 Single inventive concept

(1) For the purposes of the Act, two or more inventions shall be treated as being so linked as to form a single inventive concept where there exists between those inventions a technical relationship which involves one or more of the same or corresponding special technical features.

(2) In paragraph (1) “ special technical features ” means those technical features which define a contribution which each of the claimed inventions, considered as a whole, makes over the prior art.

Section 17 References under section 15(1)(c)(ii)

(1) A reference made under section 15(1)(c)(ii) must include—

(a) the date of filing of the earlier relevant application;

(b) its application number; and

(c) the country it was filed in or in respect of.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the copy of the application provided under section 15(10)(b)(ii) must—

(a) be duly certified by the authority with which it was filed or otherwise verified to the satisfaction of the comptroller; and

(b) where it is in a language other than English or Welsh, be accompanied by—

(i) a translation into English of that application, or

(ii) a declaration that the description filed under sub-paragraph (i) of section 15(10)(b) is a complete and accurate translation into English of the description contained in the application provided under sub-paragraph (ii) of that provision.

(3) Where the application or a copy of the application is available to the comptroller it shall, for the purposes of section 15(10)(b)(ii), be treated as having been filed in accordance with rules.

Section 18 Missing parts

(1) The period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(5)(b) and (6) is the period beginning with the date of filing of the application for a patent and ending with the date of the preliminary examination.

(2) But where the applicant is notified under section 15A(9) that a drawing or part of the description of the invention has been found to be missing, the period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(5)(b) and (6) shall be the period of two months beginning immediately after the date of the notification.

(3) An applicant may only withdraw a missing part by giving written notice to the comptroller.

(4) A request made under section 15(7)(b) must—

(a) be made in writing;

(b) include sufficient information to identify where in the priority application the contents of the document filed under section 15(5)(b) were included; and

(c) be made before the end of the period prescribed for the purpose of section 15(5)(b).

(5) Any request under section 15(7)(b) shall be considered never to have been made where—

(a) the priority application does not contain every missing part filed under section 15(5); or

(b) the applicant fails, before the end of the relevant period, to furnish to the comptroller copies of all earlier relevant applications—

(i) duly certified by the authority with which they were filed, or

(ii) otherwise verified to the satisfaction of the comptroller.

(6) But paragraph (5)(b) does not apply in respect of an earlier relevant application where that application or a copy of the application is available to the comptroller.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph 5(b) the relevant period is—

(a) sixteen months beginning immediately after the declared priority date; or

(b) if it expires earlier, the period of four months beginning immediately after the date on which the request was made under section 15(7)(b).

Section 19 New applications filed as mentioned in section 15(9)

(1) For the purposes of section 15(9) a new application may only be filed in accordance with this rule.

(2) A new application may be filed as mentioned in section 15(9) if—

(a) the earlier application has not been terminated or withdrawn; and

(b) the period ending three months before the compliance date of the earlier application has not expired.

(3) A new application must include a statement that it is filed as mentioned in section 15(9).

Section 20 New applications under sections 8(3), 12(6) and 37(4)

(1) The period prescribed for filing a new application under section 8(3) or section 12(6) is the relevant period.

(2) A new application for a patent may be filed under section 37(4) before the end of the relevant period.

(3) For the purposes of this rule the relevant period is—

(a) where the comptroller's decision to make an order under those provisions is not appealed, three months beginning immediately after the date on which the order was made; or

(b) where that decision is appealed, three months beginning immediately after the date on which the appeal was finally disposed of.

(4) But the comptroller may, if he thinks fit, shorten the relevant period after giving the parties such notice and subject to such conditions as the comptroller may direct.

Section 21 Extensions for new applications

(1) Where a new application is filed—

(a) the period prescribed for the purposes of section 13(2) is—

(i) two months beginning immediately after its initiation date, or

(ii) if it expires later, the period prescribed by rule 10(3); and

(b) the relevant period for the purposes of rule 8 is—

(i) two months beginning immediately after its initiation date, or

(ii) if it expires later, the period specified in rule 8(5),

and the reference in rule 10(3) to the date of filing of the application is a reference to the date of filing of the earlier application.

(2) But where the new application is filed less than six months before the compliance date—

(a) the period prescribed for the purposes of section 13(2) is the period ending with its initiation date; and

(b) the relevant period for the purposes of rule 8 is the period ending with its initiation date.

(3) The second requirement in Schedule 1 must be complied with—

(a) on the initiation date; or

(b) if it expires later, before the end of the relevant period specified in paragraph 3(3) of that Schedule.

Section 22 Periods prescribed for the purposes of sections 15(10) and 17(1)

(1) The period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(10)(a) and (b)(i) is the relevant period.

(2) Subject to rules 58(4), 59(3) and 68(3), the period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(10)(c) and (d) and section 17(1) is the relevant period.

(3) The period prescribed for the purpose of section 15(10)(b)(ii) is four months beginning immediately after the date of filing of the application.

(4) But paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply to a new application.

(5) In relation to a new application—

(a) the period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(10)(a), (b)(i), (c) and (d) and section 17(1) is—

(i) two months beginning immediately after its initiation date, or

(ii) if it expires later, the relevant period; and

(b) the period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(10)(b)(ii) is—

(i) two months beginning immediately after its initiation date, or

(ii) if it expires later, the period of four months beginning immediately after the date of filing of the earlier application,

and the reference in paragraph (7) to the date of filing of the application is a reference to the date of filing of the earlier application.

(6) But where the new application is filed less than six months before the compliance date, the period prescribed for the purposes of section 15(10)(a) to (d) and section 17(1) is the period ending with its initiation date.

(7) For the purposes of this rule the relevant period is—

(a) where there is no declared priority date, twelve months beginning immediately after the date of filing of the application; or

(b) where there is a declared priority date—

(i) twelve months beginning immediately after the declared priority date, or

(ii) if it expires later, the period of two months beginning immediately after the date of filing of the application.

Section 23 Preliminary examination under section 15A

(1) On the preliminary examination under section 15A of an application the examiner shall determine whether the application complies with the requirements of rules 6 to 9.

(2) The examiner must report to the comptroller his determinations under paragraph (1), and the comptroller must notify the applicant accordingly.

Section 24 Correcting a declaration made for the purposes of section 5(2)

(1) Where, on the preliminary examination under section 15A of an application, the examiner finds that a declaration made for the purposes of section 5(2) specifies a date of filing for an earlier relevant application—

(a) more than twelve months before the date of filing of the application in suit; or

(b) where the comptroller has given permission for a late declaration to be made under section 5(2), more than fourteen months before the date of filing of the application in suit,

he must report this finding to the comptroller, and the comptroller must notify the applicant accordingly.

(2) Where the comptroller has notified the applicant under paragraph (1), the applicant must, before the end of the period of two months beginning immediately after the date of that notification, provide the comptroller with a corrected date; otherwise the comptroller must disregard the declaration in so far as it relates to the earlier relevant application.

(3) In paragraph (2) “ corrected date ” means a date that would not have been reported by the examiner under paragraph (1).

Section 25 Formal requirements

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the requirements of the following provisions of these Rules are formal requirements—

(a) rule 12(1) (application for a patent on Patents Form 1);

(b) rule 14(1) (application in English or Welsh);

(c) rule 14(2) and (3) (form of documents and drawings).

(2) Where an application is delivered in electronic form or using electronic communications, only the requirements of rule 14(1) are formal requirements.

(3) Where an international application for a patent (UK) was filed in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Co-operation Treaty, the requirements mentioned in paragraph (1) shall be treated as complied with to the extent that the application complies with any corresponding provision of that Treaty.

Section 26 Publication of application

(1) The period prescribed for the purposes of section 16(1) is eighteen months beginning immediately after —

(a) where there is no declared priority date, the date of filing of the application; or

(b) where there is a declared priority date, that date.

(2) Where a person's application under rule 11(1)(a) or (b) has been accepted by the comptroller, the comptroller must ensure that the application for the patent as published does not mention that person's name and address as those of the person believed to be the inventor (or, as the case may be, that person's address as that of the person so believed).

Section 27 Search under section 17

(1) A request under section 17(1)(c)(i) for a search must be made on Patents Form 9A.

(2) The comptroller may, if he thinks fit, send to the applicant a copy of any document (or any part of it) referred to in the examiner's report made under section 17.

(3) Where an examiner conducts a search in relation to the first only of two or more inventions, in accordance with section 17(6), he must report this fact to the comptroller, and the comptroller must notify the applicant accordingly.

(4) The applicant must pay any search fee in relation to those inventions (other than the first) on or before the relevant date.

(5) The relevant date is the first day of the three month period ending with the compliance date of the application.

(6) The fee for a supplementary search under section 17(8), or a search under section 17(6), must be accompanied by Patents Form 9A.

Section 28 Request for substantive examination under section 18

(1) A request under section 18 for a substantive examination of an application must be made on Patents Form 10.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) and rules 60 and 68(4), the period prescribed for the purposes of section 18(1) is six months beginning immediately after the date the application was published.

(3) Where the comptroller has given directions under section 22(1) or (2) in relation to information contained in the application, the period prescribed for the purposes of section 18(1) is the relevant period.

(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to a new application.

(5) In relation to a new application, the period prescribed for the purposes of section 18(1) is—

(a) two months beginning immediately after its initiation date; or

(b) if it expires later, the relevant period,

and the reference in paragraph (7) to the date of filing of the application is a reference to the date of filing of the earlier application.

(6) But where the new application is filed less than six months before the compliance date, the period prescribed for the purposes of section 18(1) is the period ending with its initiation date.

(7) For the purposes of this rule the relevant period is two years beginning immediately after —

(a) where there is no declared priority date, the date of filing of the application; or

(b) where there is a declared priority date, that date.

Section 29 Substantive examination reports

(1) Whenever the examiner reports to the comptroller under either section 18(3) or (4) on whether the application complies with the requirements of the Act and these Rules, the comptroller must send a copy of that report to the applicant.

(2) The comptroller may, if he thinks fit, send to the applicant a copy of any document (or any part of it) referred to in the examiner's report.

(3) For the purposes of rules 30 and 31—

(a) “ first substantive examination report ” means the first report sent to the applicant under paragraph (1); and

(b) “ first observations report ” means a report sent to the applicant under paragraph (1) which meets the condition in paragraph (4).

(4) The condition is that—

(a) a person has made observations to the comptroller under section 21(1) on the question whether the invention is a patentable invention;

(b) the examiner has reported to the comptroller, as a consequence of those observations, that the invention does not comply with the requirements of the Act or these Rules; and

(c) the comptroller has not previously sent to the applicant a report, relating to those observations, under paragraph (1).

Section 30 Period for putting application in order

(1) The period prescribed for the purposes of sections 18(4) and 20(1) (failure of application) is the compliance period.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the compliance period is—

(a) four years and six months beginning immediately after —

(i) where there is no declared priority date, the date of filing of the application, or

(ii) where there is a declared priority date, that date; or

(b) if it expires later, the period of twelve months beginning immediately after the date on which the first substantive examination report is sent to the applicant.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), where a new application is filed the compliance period is—

(a) where it is filed under section 8(3), 12(6) or 37(4)—

(i) the period specified in paragraph (2) in relation to the earlier application, or

(ii) if it expires later, the period of eighteen months beginning immediately after the initiation date; and

(b) where it is filed as mentioned in section 15(9), the period specified in paragraph (2) in relation to the earlier application.

(4) Where the first observations report is sent to the applicant during the last three months of the period specified in paragraphs (2) or (3), the compliance period is three months beginning immediately after the date on which that report is sent.

Section 30A Fee for the grant of a patent under section 18(4)

(1) Where at the date of notification by the comptroller to the applicant in accordance with section 18(4)—

(a) the number of claims contained in the application—

(i) exceeds twenty-five; and

(ii) is greater than the number of claims contained in the application as at the date when the applicant made a request for a search under section 17(1)(c); or

(b) the number of pages of the description contained in the application—

(i) exceeds thirty-five; and

(ii) is greater than the number of pages of the description contained in the application as at the date when the applicant made a request for a substantive examination under section 18(1);

the applicant must pay a fee for the grant of the patent under section 18(4).

(2) The fee for the grant must be accompanied by Patents Form 34 and the period prescribed for the purposes of section 18(4) is two months beginning immediately after the date of the notification referred to in paragraph (1).

Section 31 Amendment of application before grant

(1) A request to amend an application for a patent under section 19(1) must be made in writing.

(2) The conditions prescribed under section 19(1) are as follows.

(3) Subject to rule 66A the applicant may amend his application only within the period beginning with the date on which the applicant is informed of the examiner's report under section 17(5) and ending with the date on which the comptroller sends him the first substantive examination report.

(4) But after the end of this period, the applicant may—

(a) where the first substantive examination report states that his application complies with the requirements of the Act and these Rules, amend his application once before the end of the period of two months beginning immediately after the date on which that report was sent; or

(b) where the first substantive examination report states that his application does not comply with the requirements of the Act and these Rules—

(i) amend his application once at the same time as he makes his first observations on, or amendments to, his application under section 18(3), and

(ii) if the first substantive examination report is sent before preparations for the application's publication have been completed by the Patent Office, amend his application prior to any further amendment he may make under sub-paragraph (b)(i).

(5) However, the conditions in paragraphs (3) and (4) do not apply—

(a) where the comptroller consents to the amendment; or

(b) to an amendment of a request for the grant of a patent.

(6) Where the comptroller's consent is required, or the applicant wishes to amend the request for the grant of a patent, the applicant must include the reasons for the amendment.

Section 32 Reinstatement of applications under section 20A

(1) A request under section 20A for the reinstatement of an application must be made before the end of the relevant period.

(2) For this purpose the relevant period is twelve months beginning immediately after the date on which the application was terminated.

(3) The request must be made on Patents Form 14.

(4) Where the comptroller is required to publish a notice under section 20A(5), it must be published in the journal.

(5) The applicant must file evidence in support of that request.

(6) Where that evidence does not accompany the request, the comptroller must specify a period within which the evidence must be filed.

(7) Where, on consideration of that evidence, the comptroller is not satisfied that a case for an order under section 20A has been made out, he must notify the applicant accordingly.

(8) The applicant may, before the end of the period of one month beginning immediately after the date of that notification, request to be heard by the comptroller.

(9) Where the applicant requests a hearing, the comptroller must give him an opportunity to be heard, after which the comptroller shall determine whether the request under section 20A shall be allowed or refused.

(10) Where the comptroller reinstates the application after a notice was published under paragraph (4), he must advertise in the journal the fact that he has reinstated the application.

(11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 33 Observations by third parties on patentability

(1) The comptroller must send to the applicant a copy of any observations on patentability he receives under section 21.

(2) But paragraph (1) does not apply to any observation which, in the opinion of the comptroller, would—

(a) disparage any person in a way likely to damage such person; or

(b) be generally expected to encourage offensive, immoral or anti-social behaviour.

(3) The comptroller may, if he thinks fit, send to the applicant a copy of any document referred to in the observations.

(4) The comptroller must send to an examiner any observations on patentability.

(5) But paragraph (4) does not apply where the observations are received after the examiner has reported under section 18(4) that an application complies with the requirements of the Act and these Rules.

Section 34 Certificate of grant

The certificate of grant of a patent must be in a form which includes—

(a) the name of the proprietor;

(b) the date of filing of the application; and

(c) the number of the patent.

Section 35 Amendment of specification after grant

(1) An application by the proprietor of a patent for the specification of the patent to be amended must—

(a) be made in writing;

(b) identify the proposed amendment; and

(c) state the reason for making the amendment.

(2) The application must, if it is reasonably possible, be delivered to the comptroller in electronic form or using electronic communications.

(3) The comptroller may, if he thinks fit, direct the proprietor to file a copy of the specification with the amendment applied for marked on it.

(4) Where the specification of a European patent (UK) was published in a language other than English, the proprietor must file a translation into English of the part of the specification which he is applying to amend and a translation of the amendment.

(5) The comptroller may, if he thinks fit, direct the proprietor to file a translation into English of the specification as published.

(6) Where the court or the comptroller allows the proprietor of a patent to amend the specification of the patent, the comptroller may direct him to file an amended specification which complies with the requirements of Schedule 2.

Section 36 Renewal of patents: general

(1) In this rule and in rules 37 to 41—

“ renewal date ” has the meaning given in rules 37(2) to (4) and 38(3);

“ renewal fee ” means the fee prescribed in respect of a renewal date;

“ renewal period ” means the period prescribed by rule 37 or 38 for the payment of a renewal fee unless a renewal fee is payable by virtue of section 77(5A), in which case in this rule and in rules 39 and 41 “renewal period” means the period in which the fee is payable under section 77(5A) and rule 41A .

(2) If the renewal fee is not paid before the end of the renewal period, the patent shall cease to have effect—

(a) where the renewal fee is payable by virtue of section 77(5A), at the end of the final day of the renewal period;

(b) in any other case, at the end of the renewal date.

(3) Patents Form 12 must be filed before the end of the renewal period.

(4) But where payment is made under section 25(4) or section 28(3), Patents Form 12 must accompany the renewal fee and the prescribed additional fee.

(5) On receipt of the renewal fee the comptroller must issue a certificate of payment.

Section 37 Renewal of patents: first renewal

(1) This rule prescribes the period for the payment of a renewal fee in respect of the first renewal date.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4)—

(a) the first renewal date is the fourth anniversary of the date of filing; and

(b) the renewal period is three months ending with the last day of the month in which that renewal date falls.

(3) Where a patent is granted under the Act during the period of three months ending with the fourth anniversary of the date of filing, or at any time after that anniversary—

(a) the first renewal date is the last day of the period of three months beginning immediately after the date on which the patent was granted; and

(b) the renewal period begins with the date on which the patent was granted and ends with the last day of the month in which that renewal date falls.

(4) Where the grant of a patent is mentioned in the European Patent Bulletin during the period of three months ending with the fourth anniversary of the date of filing, or at any time after that anniversary—

(a) the first renewal date is the later of—

(i) the last day of the period of three months beginning immediately after the date on which the grant of the patent was mentioned in the European Patent Bulletin (case A), or

(ii) the next anniversary of the date of filing to fall after the date on which the grant of the patent was so mentioned (case B); and

(b) the renewal period is—

(i) in case A, the period beginning with the date on which the grant of the patent was mentioned in the European Patent Bulletin and ending with the last day of the month in which the first renewal date falls, or

(ii) in case B, three months ending with the last day of the month in which the first renewal date falls.

Section 38 Renewal of patents: subsequent renewals

(1) This rule prescribes the period for the payment of a renewal fee in respect of renewal dates subsequent to the first renewal date.

(2) The renewal period is three months ending with the last day of the month in which the renewal date falls.

(3) For those purposes—

(a) the second renewal date is the next anniversary of the date of filing to fall after the first renewal date; and

(b) each subsequent renewal date is the anniversary of the previous renewal date.

Section 39 Renewal notice

(1) This rule applies where the renewal fee has not been received by the end of the renewal period.

(2) If the renewal fee remains unpaid, the comptroller must send a renewal notice to the proprietor of the patent—

(a) where the renewal fee is payable by virtue of section 77(5A), before the end of the period of six weeks beginning immediately after the later of—

(i) the end of the renewal period, and

(ii) the date on which the comptroller receives notification of the restoration of the patent from the European Patent Office;

(b) in any other case, before the end of the period of six weeks beginning immediately after the end of the renewal period.

(3) The comptroller must send the renewal notice to—

(a) the last address specified by the proprietor on payment of a renewal fee (or to another address that has since been notified to him for that purpose by the proprietor); or

(b) where such an address has not been so specified or notified, the address for service entered in the register.

(4) The renewal notice must remind the proprietor of the patent—

(a) that payment is overdue; and

(b) of the consequences of non-payment.

Section 40 Restoration of lapsed patents under section 28

(1) An application under section 28 for restoration of a patent may be made at any time before the end of the period ending with the thirteenth month after the month in which the period specified in section 25(4) ends.

(2) The application must be made on Patents Form 16.

(3) The notice of the application must be published in the journal.

(4) The applicant must file evidence in support of the application.

(5) If that evidence does not accompany the application, the comptroller must specify a period within which the evidence shall be filed.

(6) If, on consideration of that evidence, the comptroller is not satisfied that a case for an order under section 28 has been made out, he must notify the applicant accordingly.

(7) The applicant may, before the end of the period of one month beginning immediately after the date of that notification, request to be heard by the comptroller.

(8) If the applicant requests a hearing, the comptroller must give the applicant an opportunity to be heard before he determines whether to grant or refuse the application under section 28.

(9) Where the comptroller grants the application he must advertise the fact in the journal.

Section 41 Notification of lapsed patent

(1) This rule applies where—

(a) a patent has ceased to have effect because a renewal fee has not been paid by the end of the renewal period; and

(b) the renewal fee and the prescribed additional fee have not been paid by the end of the period specified in section 25(4) (“the extended period”).

(2) The comptroller must, before the end of the period of six weeks beginning immediately after the end of the extended period, send a notice to the proprietor of the patent—

(a) stating that the extended period has expired; and

(b) referring him to the provisions of section 28.

(3) The comptroller must send the notice to the address specified by rule 39(3).

Section 41A Payment of fees under section 77(5A) following restoration of a European patent ( UK )

The prescribed period for the purposes of section 77(5A) is two months.

Section 42 Surrender

The notice of an offer by a proprietor to surrender a patent must be in writing and include—

(a) a declaration that no action is pending before the court for infringement or revocation of the patent; or

(b) where such an action is pending, the particulars of the action.

Section 43 Application for, and cancellation of, an entry that licences are available as of right

(1) An application under section 46(1) must be made on Patents Form 28.

(2) Where an entry is made in the register to the effect that licences under a patent are to be available as of right, the comptroller must advertise the entry in the journal.

(3) An application under section 47(1) for the cancellation of an entry made under section 46 must be made on Patents Form 30.

(4) The period prescribed for the purposes of section 47(3) is two months beginning immediately after the date on which the entry was made under section 46.

Section 44 Entries in the register

(1) When an application for a patent is published, the comptroller must enter each of the following matters in the register—

(a) the name of the applicant;

(b) the name and address of the person identified as the inventor;

(c) the address of the applicant and his address for service;

(d) the title of the invention;

(e) the date of filing of the application for a patent;

(f) the application number;

(g) where a declaration has been made for the purposes of section 5(2)—

(i) the date of filing of each earlier relevant application specified in the declaration,

(ii) its application number, and

(iii) the country it was filed in or in respect of; and

(h) the date of the application's publication.

(2) But where a person's application under rule 11(1)(a) or (b) has been accepted by the comptroller, the comptroller may omit from the register his name and address (or, as the case may be, his address) as that of the person believed to be the inventor.

(3) Where an application for a patent has been published, the comptroller must enter each of the following matters in the register as soon as practicable after the event to which they relate—

(a) the date on which a request is made by an applicant for the substantive examination of his application;

(b) the date on which an application is terminated or withdrawn.

(4) When the patent is granted, the comptroller must enter each of the following matters in the register—

(a) the date on which the comptroller granted the patent;

(b) the name of the proprietor of the patent;

(c) where the address of the proprietor or his address for service was not entered in the register under paragraph (1), that address or address for service.

(5) In relation to a request for an opinion under section 74A, the comptroller must enter each of the following matters in the register as soon as practicable after the event to which they relate—

(a) a notice that a request under section 74A(1) ... has been received;

(b) a notice that such a request has been refused or withdrawn;

(c) a notice that an opinion has been issued.

(6) A notice of any transaction, instrument or event mentioned in section 32(2)(b) or 33(3) must be entered in the register as soon as practicable after it occurs (or, if later, when the application is published).

(7) The comptroller may, at any time, enter in the register such other particulars as he thinks fit.

Section 45 Advertisement in relation to register

The comptroller may publish or advertise such things done under the Act or these Rules in relation to the register as he thinks fit.

Section 46 Copies of entries in, or extracts from, the register and certified facts

(1) An application under section 32(6) for a certified copy of an entry in the register, or a certified extract from the register, must be made on Patents Form 23.

(2) A person may apply on Patents Form 23 for an uncertified copy of an entry in the register or an uncertified extract from the register and, on payment of the prescribed fee, he shall be entitled to such a copy or extract.

(3) A person may apply on Patents Form 23 for a certificate which certifies that—

(a) an entry has or has not been made in the register; or

(b) something which the comptroller is authorised to do has or has not been done.

Section 47 Registrations of transactions, instruments and events

(1) An application to register (or in the case of an application for a patent which has not been published, to give notice of) any transaction, instrument or event mentioned in section 32(2)(b) or 33(3) must—

(a) be made on Patents Form 21; and

(b) include evidence establishing the transaction, instrument or event.

(2) The comptroller may direct that such evidence as he may require in connection with the application shall be sent to him within such period as he may specify.

Section 48 Copies of documents

(1) A person may apply to the comptroller for a certified copy of any relevant document and, on payment of the prescribed fee, he shall be entitled to such a copy.

(2) A person may apply to the comptroller for an uncertified copy of any relevant document and, on payment of the prescribed fee, he shall be entitled to such a copy.

(3) But a person is not entitled to a copy of a relevant document where—

(a) it is not available for inspection under section 118; or

(b) making or providing such a copy would infringe copyright.

(4) For the purposes of this rule a relevant document is any of the following—

(a) an application for a patent which has been published;

(b) a specification of a patent;

(c) any other document, or extract from any such document, kept at the Patent Office.

(5) An application under paragraph (1) or (2) must be made on Patents Form 23.