§ 21. Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the number of patent applications filed by individuals in the last year before the bringing into operation of the Patents Act 1977, compared with the most recent 12-month period operating under the new Act.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe expense of collecting all the information requested would not be justified and, in any case, the new Act has not yet been in operation for 12 months. Samples indicate that the proportion of applications where the applicants were individuals was 26.8 per cent. under the old Act and is 25.4 per cent. under the new Act.
§ Mr. MitchellDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that there has been a decline in the number of registrations since the new Act came into operation? As it is the maternity award of modern British industry, is it not time that something was done to ease and encourage the registration of new inventions?
§ Mr. DavisIt is far too early to make such judgments. The Act has not yet been in operation for 12 months. I believe that the Act will operate to encourage and facilitate a quicker use of the new procedures that are available. That will be to the advantage of all concerned.