THE LAW OF PATENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10268, 10 February 1899, Page 5

THE LAW OF PATENTS.

> TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS. Sir,—Your correspondents are no doubt actuated by the very best intentions when writing upon the subject of Patent Law, but it is evident that in dealing with this very complex subject they have in some instances overlooked important matters which ought bo be taken into account in comparing our Patent Law with that of other countries, and, in other cases they have (doubtless unintentionally) stated Half-truths which are apt to mislead. I recognise, however, the futility, in a newspaper correspondence, of attempting to deal comprehensively with a subject upon which volumes have been written, and in which even the smallest detail would require a column to give tho necessary pro and con. I understand it is Mr Recce's intention to propose in the Clwmber of Commerce to elect a committee to enquire into and collect evidence upon the e__sting patent kvw£ of the world, with a view to discovering if improvements can be made in the law of this colony. The-ervices of "Inventor" may be valuable | to this committee if it is formed. In view of the possible federation of the Aiistraiian colonies and a new Patent Law i being required, the opinions of inventors [ and experts in every part of the world are also being collected by the Australasian Institute, and no doubt the view, of a Christchurch Couunittee would be welcomed and receive consideration. Before concluding I should like to thank "Inventor" for his intended kindness in pointing out something, which he assumes I overlooked, in my letter, giving the statistics of patents kept- in. force. Ido not think, however, that I oould honestly have made use of the "point" which "Inventor" refers to, because 1 have the "Gazettes" of the United States and English Patent Offices constantly before mc, and cannot imagine another person arriving at tlie same conclusion as "Inventor" in regard to the proportion of patents which are obviously valueless. The "Gazettes" I refer to are in my office arid at liberty for inspection by anyone at any time, and I shall be particularly grateful" to "Inventor" if he will call and explain how he arrives at his conclusions. I shall be very surprised indeed if he can show the proportion of one obviously bad patent in ten. Mr A. P. Greely, Assistant Commissioner of Patents, in the United States, recently wrote, "If any fellow says he knows the value of an invention, I believe he lies— under a misapprehension."—Yours, &c., H. H. RAYWARD. February Bth.