Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

PATENTS ACT 1990

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

            

CHAPTER 1--Introductory
            

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   2A.     Object of this Act  
   3.      Definitions  
   5.      Associated applications  
   6.      Deposit requirements  
   7.      Novelty, inventive step and innovative step  
   7A.     Meaning of useful  
   9.      Secret use  
   10.     Certain international applications to be taken to have been given an international filing date  
   11.     Act binds the Crown  
   12.     Application of Act  
   12A.    Application of the Criminal Code  
            

CHAPTER 2--Patent rights, ownership and validity
            

   PART 1--PATENT--RIGHTS

   13.     Exclusive rights given by patent  
   14.     Assignment of patent  

   PART 2--OWNERSHIP

   15.     Who may be granted a patent?  
   16.     Co - ownership of patents  
   17.     Directions to co - owners  

   PART 3--VALIDITY

           Division 1--Validity

   18.     Patentable inventions  
   19.     Certificate of validity  
   20.     Validity of patent not guaranteed  
   21.     Validity not implied by making or refusal of non - infringement declaration  

           Division 2--Matters not affecting validity

   22A.    Validity not affected by who patent is granted to  
   22.     Invalidity in relation to one claim not to affect validity in relation to other claims  
   23.     Validity not affected by publication etc. after priority date  
   24.     Validity not affected by making information available in certain circumstances  
   25.     Validity: patents of addition  
   26.     Validity not affected in certain cases involving amendments  

           Division 3--Notice of matters affecting validity

   27.     Notice of matters affecting validity of standard patents  
   28.     Notice of matters affecting validity of innovation patents  
            

CHAPTER 3--From application to acceptance
            

   PART 1--PATENT--APPLICATIONS

           Division 1--Applications

   29.     Application for patent--general rules  
   29A.     Applications for patents--special rules for PCT applications  
   29B.    Applications for patents--special rules for Convention applications  
   30.     Filing date  
   31.     Joint applicants  
   32.     Disputes between applicants etc.  
   33.     Applications by opponents etc.  
   34.     Applications by eligible persons arising out of Court proceedings  
   35.     Applications by eligible persons following revocation by Commissioner  
   36.     Other applications by eligible persons  
   37.     Complete application may be treated as provisional  
   38.     Time for making complete application  

           Division 2--Specifications

   40.     Specifications  
   41.     Specifications: micro - organisms  
   42.     Micro - organisms ceasing to be reasonably available  

           Division 3--Priority dates

   43.     Priority dates  
   43AA.   Disclosure in basic applications  

   PART 2--EXAMINATION--OF STANDARD PATENT REQUESTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

           Division 1A--Preliminary search and opinion

   43A.    Preliminary search and opinion  

           Division 1--Examination

   44.     Request for examination  
   45.     Examination  

   PART 3--ACCEPTANCE

           Division 1--Acceptance of standard patents

   49.     Acceptance of patent request: standard patent  
   49A.    Postponing acceptance of patent request: standard patent  
   50.     Application or grant may be refused in certain cases  
   50A.    Revocation of acceptance  
   51.     Appeal  

           Division 2--Acceptance of innovation patents

   52.     Formalities check and acceptance of innovation patents  
            

CHAPTER 4--Publication
            

   53.     Publication of certain information about applicants etc.  
   54.     Notice of publication  
   55.     Documents open to public inspection  
   56.     Certain documents and information not to be published or open to public inspection  
   56A.    Publication and inspection of PCT applications  
   57.     Effect of publication of complete specification  
   58.     Result of search may be disclosed  
            

CHAPTER 5--Opposition to grant of standard patent
            

   59.     Opposition to grant of standard patent  
   60.     Hearing and decision by Commissioner  
            

CHAPTER 6--Grant and term of patents
            

   PART 1--GRANT

   61.     Grant of standard patent  
   62.     Grant and publication of innovation patent  
   63.     Joint patentees  
   64.     Grant: multiple applications  
   65.     Date of patent  

   PART 2--TERM

   67.     Term of standard patent  
   68.     Term of innovation patent  

   PART 3--EXTENSION--OF TERM OF STANDARD PATENTS RELATING TO PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSTANCES

   70.     Applications for extension of patent  
   71.     Form and timing of an application  
   72.     Notification and public inspection of application  
   73.     Withdrawal of application  
   74.     Acceptance or refusal of application  
   75.     Opposition to grant of extension  
   76.     Grant of extension  
   77.     Calculation of term of extension  
   78.     Exclusive rights of patentee are limited if extension granted  
   79.     Rights of patentee if extension granted after patent expires  
   79A.    Commissioner not to make decision if court proceedings pending  
            

CHAPTER 6A--Divisional applications
            

   79B.    Divisional applications prior to grant of patent  
   79C.    Divisional applications for innovation patents may be made after grant of an innovation patent  
            

CHAPTER 7--Patents of addition
            

   80.     Chapter does not apply to innovation patents  
   81.     Grant of patent of addition  
   82.     Revocation of patent and grant of patent of addition instead  
   83.     Term of patent of addition  
   85.     Revocation of patent for main invention  
   86.     Renewal fees not payable  
   87.     Fees payable where patent of addition becomes an independent patent  
            

CHAPTER 9--Re-examination of standard patents
            

   96A.    Chapter does not apply to innovation patents  
   97.     Re - examination of complete specifications  
   98.     Report on re - examination  
   99.     Statement by applicant or patentee  
   100.    Copies of report to be given to court  
   100A.   Refusal to grant patent--re - examination before grant  
   101.    Revocation of patent--re - examination after grant  
            

CHAPTER 9A--Examination, re-examination and opposition-innovation patents
            

   PART 1--EXAMINATION--OF INNOVATION PATENTS

   101A.   Examination may be requested or Commissioner may decide to examine  
   101B.   Examination of an innovation patent  
   101C.   How and when examination to be carried out  
   101E.   Certificate of examination  
   101EA.  Revocation of certificate of examination  
   101F.   Revocation of innovation patents following examination under section 101B  

   PART 2--RE---EXAMINATION OF INNOVATION PATENTS

   101G.   Re - examination of complete specifications of innovation patents  
   101H.   Patentee statements  
   101J.   Revocation of innovation patent following re - examination  
   101K.   Relevant proceedings and re - examination  
   101L.   Copies of report to be given to court  

   PART 3--OPPOSITION--TO INNOVATION PATENTS

   101M.   Opposition to innovation patent  
   101N.   Hearing and decision by the Commissioner  
   101P.   Relevant proceedings and opposition  
            

CHAPTER 10--Amendments
            

   PART 1--AMENDMENTS--THAT ARE NOT ALLOWABLE

   102.    What amendments are not allowable?  
   103.    Consent of mortgagee or exclusive licensee needed  

   PART 2--AMENDMENTS--OF PATENT REQUESTS, SPECIFICATIONS AND OTHER FILED DOCUMENTS

   104.    Amendments by applicants and patentees  
   105.    Amendments directed by court  
   106.    Amendments directed by Commissioner: patents  
   107.    Amendments directed by Commissioner: applications for standard patents  
   109.    Appeal  

   PART 3--MISCELLANEOUS

   110.    Advertisement of amendment of complete specification  
   112.    Pending proceedings  
   112A.   Decisions on appeal  
   113.    Persons claiming under assignment or agreement  
   114.    Priority date of claims of certain amended specifications  
   114A.   Objection cannot be taken to certain amended specifications  
   115.    Restriction on recovery of damages etc.  
   116.    Interpretation of amended specifications  
            

CHAPTER 11--Infringement
            

   PART 1--INFRINGEMENT--AND INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

   117.    Infringement by supply of products  
   118.    Infringement exemptions: use in or on foreign vessels, aircraft or vehicles  
   119.    Infringement exemptions: prior use  
   119A.   Infringement exemptions: acts for obtaining regulatory approval of pharmaceuticals  
   119B.   Infringement exemptions: acts for obtaining regulatory approval (non - pharmaceuticals)  
   119C.   Infringement exemptions: acts for experimental purposes  
   120.    Infringement proceedings  
   121.    Counter - claim for revocation of patent  
   121A.   Burden of proof--infringement of patent for a process  
   122.    Relief for infringement of patent  
   123.    Innocent infringement  

   PART 2--NON---INFRINGEMENT DECLARATIONS

   124.    Interpretation  
   125.    Application for non - infringement declaration  
   126.    Proceedings for non - infringement declarations  
   127.    Effect of non - infringement declarations  

   PART 3--UNJUSTIFIED--THREATS OF INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

   128.    Application for relief from unjustified threats  
   129.    Court's power to grant relief if threats related to a standard patent or standard patent application  
   129A.   Threats related to an innovation patent application or innovation patent and court's power to grant relief  
   130.    Counter - claim for infringement  
   131.    Notification of patent not a threat  
   132.    Liability of legal practitioner or patent attorney  
            

CHAPTER 12--Compulsory licences and revocation of patents
            

   PART 1--INTRODUCTION

   132A.   Simplified outline of this Chapter  

   PART 2--COMPULSORY--LICENCES (GENERAL)

   132B.   Simplified outline of this Part  
   133.    Compulsory licences--general  
   134.    Revocation of patent after grant of compulsory licence under section 133  
   136.    Orders to be consistent with international agreements  
   136A.   Dealing with allegation of contravention of application law  

   PART 3--PATENTED--PHARMACEUTICAL INVENTION COMPULSORY LICENCES (FOR MANUFACTURE AND EXPORT TO ELIGIBLE IMPORTING COUNTRIES)

           Division 1--Introduction

   136B.   Simplified outline of this Part  
   136C.   Relationship between Parts 2 and 3  

           Division 2--Patented pharmaceutical invention compulsory licences

   136D.   PPI compulsory licences--applications for orders  
   136E.   PPI compulsory licences--orders  
   136F.   PPI compulsory licences--terms  
   136G.   PPI compulsory licences--amendment  
   136H.   PPI compulsory licences--revocation  

           Division 3--Remuneration

   136J.   PPI compulsory licences--remuneration  

           Division 4--General

   136K.   PPI compulsory licences--nature of orders  
   136L.   PPI compulsory licences--consistency of orders with international agreements  
   136M.   PPI compulsory licences--applications heard together  

   PART 4--SURRENDER--AND REVOCATION OF PATENTS

   136N.   Simplified outline of this Part  
   137.    Revocation on surrender of patent  
   138.    Revocation of patents in other circumstances  

   PART 5--OTHER--MATTERS

   138A.   Simplified outline of this Part  
   139.    Parties to proceedings  
   140.    Commissioner to be given copies of orders  
            

CHAPTER 13--Withdrawal and lapsing of applications and ceasing of patents
            

   141.    Withdrawal of applications  
   142.    Lapsing of applications  
   143.    Ceasing of patents  
   143A.   Ceasing of innovation patents  
   143B.   Payment of fees  
            

CHAPTER 14--Contracts
            

   145.    Termination of contract after patent ceases to be in force  
            

CHAPTER 15--Special provisions relating to associated technology
            

   147.    Certificate by Director as to associated technology  
   148.    Lapsing etc. of applications  
   149.    Revocation of direction  
   150.    Restoration of lapsed application  
   151.    Reinstatement of application as an international application  
   152.    Notice of prohibitions or restrictions on publication  
   153.    Effect of order  
            

CHAPTER 16--Jurisdiction and powers of courts
            

   154.    Jurisdiction of Federal Court  
   155.    Jurisdiction of other prescribed courts  
   156.    Exercise of jurisdiction  
   157.    Transfer of proceedings  
   158.    Appeals  
   159.    Commissioner may appear in appeals  
   160.    Powers of Federal Court  
            

CHAPTER 17--The Crown
            

   PART 1--INTRODUCTORY

   160A.   When an invention is exploited for Crown purposes  
   161.    Nominated persons and patentees  

   PART 2--EXPLOITATION--BY THE CROWN

   163.    Crown exploitation of inventions--general rule  
   163A.    Crown exploitation of inventions--emergencies  
   164.    Crown exploitation of inventions--information to be given by relevant authority  
   165.    Crown exploitation of inventions--terms (including remuneration)  
   165A.   Crown exploitation of inventions--court order to cease  
   166.    Certain agreement and licences inoperative unless approved by relevant Minister  
   167.    Sale of products  
   168.    Supply of products by Commonwealth to foreign countries  
   170.    Sale of forfeited articles  

   PART 3--ACQUISITIONS--BY AND ASSIGNMENTS TO THE CROWN

   171.    Acquisition of inventions or patents by Commonwealth  
   172.    Assignment of invention to Commonwealth  

   PART 4--PROHIBITION--ORDERS

   173.    Prohibition of publication of information about inventions  
   174.    Effect of prohibition orders  
   175.    Disclosure of information to Commonwealth authority  
   176.    International applications treated as applications under this Act  
            

CHAPTER 18--Miscellaneous offences
            

   177.    False representations about the Patent Office  
   178.    False representations about patents or patented articles  
   182.    Officers not to traffic in inventions  
   183.    Unauthorised disclosure of information by employees etc.  
   184.    Other unauthorised disclosures of information  
   185.    Commissioner etc. not to prepare documents or search records  
            

CHAPTER 19--The Register and official documents
            

   186.    Register of Patents  
   187.    Registration of particulars of patents etc.  
   188.    Trusts not registrable  
   189.    Power of patentee to deal with patent  
   190.    Inspection of Register  
   191.    False entries in Register  
   191A.   Commissioner's power to rectify register  
   192.    Orders for rectification of Register  
   193.    Inspection of documents  
   194.    Information obtainable from Commissioner  
   195.    Evidence--the Register  
   196.    Evidence--unregistered particulars  
   197.    Evidence--certificate and copies of documents  
   197AA.  Evidence of matters arising under PCT  
            

CHAPTER 20--Patent Attorneys
            

   PART 1--REGISTRATION--, PRIVILEGES AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

   198.    Registration of patent attorneys  
   199.    Deregistration  
   200.    Privileges  
   200A.   Designated Manager  

   PART 2--OFFENCES

   201.    Acting or holding out without being registered  
   201A.   When a person carries on business, practises or acts as a patent attorney  
   201B.   Incorporated patent attorney must have a patent attorney director  
   202.    Documents prepared by legal practitioners  
   202A.   Documents prepared by a member of a partnership  
   202B.   Documents prepared by incorporated patent attorneys and incorporated legal practices  
   203.    Attendance at patent attorney's office  
   204.    Time for starting prosecutions  
            

CHAPTER 21--Administration
            

   205.    Patent Office and sub - offices  
   206.    Patent Office seal  
   207.    Commissioner of Patents  
   208.    Deputy Commissioner of Patents  
   209.    Delegation of Commissioner's powers and functions  
   210.    Commissioner's powers  
   210A.   Sanctions for non - compliance with Commissioner's requirements  
   211.    Recovery of costs awarded by Commissioner  
            

CHAPTER 22--Miscellaneous
            

   212.    Copies of examination reports to be communicated  
   213.    Making and signing applications etc.  
   214.    Filing of documents  
   214A.   Approved means of filing documents  
   214B.   Directions by Commissioner for filing of documents  
   214C.   Directions by Commissioner for filing of evidence  
   215.    Death of applicant or nominated person  
   216.    Exercise of discretionary power by Commissioner  
   217.    Assessors  
   218.    Costs where patent invalid in part  
   219.    Security for costs  
   220.    Costs of attendance of patent attorney  
   220A.   Notifications by Commissioner under this Act  
   221.    Service of documents  
   222.    Publication of Official Journal etc.  
   222A.   Doing act when Patent Office reopens after end of period otherwise provided for doing act  
   223.    Extensions of time  
   223A.   Computerised decision - making  
   224.    Review of decisions  
   225.    Conduct of employees and agents of natural persons  
   226.    Documents open to public inspection do not infringe copyright  
   227.    Fees payable under this Act  
   227AAA. Approved means of paying a fee  
   227AB.  Application of administrative law regime to decisions made in New Zealand  
   227A.   Trans - Tasman IP Attorneys Board  
   227B.   Publishing personal information of registered patent attorneys  
   228.    Regulations  
   229.     Instrument determining formalities requirements for patent documents  
            

CHAPTER 23--Transitional and savings provisions
            

   237.    Orders, directions etc. under 1952 Act  
   239.    The Register of Patents and Register of Patent Attorneys  
   240.    Registered patent attorneys  
           SCHEDULE 1 Dictionary