Mr. ROBERTSONI beg to move, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to extend the powers of the Board of Trade during the continuance of the present hostilities, to make Rules under the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, and the Trade Marks Act, 1905."
This is a small Bill relating to Patents and Trade Marks made necessary owing to the war. In many cases persons, owing to Active Service and residence abroad, are unable to forward their renewal fees; and, under the existing Statutes, the Patents and Trade Marks in respect of which renewal fees are not duly paid will lapse. The Bill gives the Board of Trade power to make regulations empowering the Comptroller to extend the time for payment in cases where he thinks it necessary or expedient. The Bill will equally enable the time for filling up documents to be extended in proper cases. The Bill also gives power to the Board of Trade to make rules for the suspension of applications by alien enemies for patents, designs, and trade marks, and for the avoidance of grants or registrations of Trade Marks made by persons who are, in fact, alien enemies. It is thought that such power ought to be taken, but the power will only be exercised where national interests are at stake.
Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Robertson. Presented accordingly, read the first time, and ordered to be printed. [Bill 368.]
§ Bill read a second time.
§ Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into the Committee on the Bill.—[Mr. Robertson.]
§ Bill accordingly considered in Committee, reported without Amendment; read the third time, and passed.