§ COLONEL EYRE (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention had been called to the fact that the English "patent" is often used on goods of foreign origin, thereby inducing the belief that they are of English manufacture. Whether the use of such word without the addition of the name of the place of origin was an infringement of the Merchandize Marks Act. And, whether he would cause the attention of the Customs Authorities to be called to this practice, with the view of steps being taken for its prevention?
§ MR. JACKSONThere are two classes of goods covered by the question of the hon. Member. First, goods which are marked patent in this country, and secondly, articles so marked as referring to another country. As to the first, the use of the "patent" or "registered" is governed by the "Trades Marks Act," but as to the latter, the Commissioners of Customs do not see how they can interfere when the word is used in conjunction with an intimation of foreign production.