65. Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any, and, if so, how many, patents have been taken out by British subjects in Germany since the commencement of the War; if not, whether any application has been made to take out such patents; what attitude has been adopted by the German Government in the matter; whether all outstanding enemy patent rights in this country which were alive at the outbreak of hostilities have been voided; and whether, under the licences, if any, which have been issued to Germans since the War, patent fees will have to be paid for the use of patents in this country?
Sir A. STANLEYAccording to the information available to the Board no patents have been taken out by British 434 subjects in Germany since the commencement of the War, but numerous applications for patents have been made in Germany by British subjects under the licence issued by the Board which has recently been rescinded. There are no official statistics showing the exact number. The German Government followed the practice of the British Government in allowing applications for patent rights to be recorded, but refusing the grant of a patent on such applications. Enemy patent rights existing in this country on the outbreak of war were not voided as a whole, but the Board of Trade took powers to suspend or void any such patents or to grant licences to British subjects thereunder on the application of any person interested. No licences have been issued to Germans under these powers, but in the case of licences issued to British subjects royalties have been fixed in the majority of eases payable to the Public Trustee.