§ MR. E. J. REEDasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether it is true that steps 1015 have been or are being taken at the Patent Office for the destruction of the printed specifications of expired patents, five copies only of each being reserved; and, if so, whether the remonstrances which have been expressed against this course will be attended to, and an ample number of copies of all existing specifications be preserved?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALSir, I have made inquiry into the subject mentioned in the Question of the hon. Member, and am happy in informing him of the result. In pursuance of an Order recently issued, and which carried out the recommendation contained in a Treasury Report of last year, the printed specifications from the earliest period to the end of 1860 have been examined and the damaged and surplus copies eliminated, care being taken to retain a sufficient stock for the requirements of the public. The number of copies of each specification reserved in good condition, exclusive of 10 copies supplied to the sale-room and other copies reserved for the use of the gentlemen who are preparing the classified abridgments of specifications, is as follows:—Specifications under the old law from 1617 to 1852, 5 copies of original and 12 of second editions; under the new law, from 1852 to 1856, 10 copies of original and 15 of second editions; 1857 to 1860, 20 copies of original and 25 copies of second editions; and 50 copies of patents which have expired since 1860 have been kept. It was stated in a leading journal in January last, that the greater part of the stock of expired specifications was in constant demand. This is an exaggeration. Ample provision has been made for the supply of any demand which may probably be made. The accumulation of specifications had, owing to the system formerly adopted in the Patent Office, become so great that it was absolutely necessary to adopt the course which has been pursued.