§ Mr. WISEasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the maximum periods for which an inventor may receive the protection of letters patent in the United States of America and in Great Britain, respectively; what are the total 864W fees payable in each case to obtain protection for the full period; and what proportion of letters patent in each country are renewed for the full period?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe maximum period for which an inventor may receive the protection of letters patent is, normally, in the United States of America 17 years from the date of issue of the patent, and in Great Britain 16 years from the date of application. The total fees for the grant and maintenance in force for these maximum periods of a patent are: In the United States of America 40 dollars, and in Great Britain £131 of which £5 covers the first four years. Patents granted in the United States of America remain in force for the full term without payment of any renewal fees. The proportion of British patents maintained in force for the full term is about 5 per cent. of the patents granted.