INVENTORS' TROUBLES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 102, 27 October 1925, Page 10

INVENTORS' TROUBLES

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PATENT

OFFICE

CAUSES OF DISCONTENT.

(FROM ODR OWN CORKESPOKDEST.) LONDON, Bth September

In a letter published in the current number of "Nature," Mr. E. Wyndhara Hulmc" appeals for improvements in the Patent Oflico regulations. Ho "argues that the direction in which relief is to lip sought, if the objnet of our patent law is to stimulate tho growth of .British industries, is in the relief of the patcnteo from the unduly high legal standard of novelty. /

Mr. liulme, who has had many years' experience in the Patent Office, contends that "with a simplified procedure and broader claims, which can Lie substantiated as soon as the patented process lias been reduced to practice, capital will onco more How into native industries."

Sir Richard Gregory, editor of "Nature," discusses the situation. "My main contention,!' lie a;iid, "is that the position'of Controller of the Patent, Office slioukl, be one given to i man of high distinction in scicucc. iincl technology so that the views lie expressed upon | tho progress of scientific knowledge would |>b listened to with respect, and I ho would lake a leading position in ;ill movements for natural development 'through the use of such knowledge. A Controller of this type would take a'definite social position/ and would exert a most beneficent influence! upon the work and position of the inventor. STATUS OF THE CONTROLLER "1 regard it as deplorable that the work of such a great scientific department of State as (he Patent Office should be completely separated both by knowledge and interest from the advancing world of science around it. At present, however, the salary of the Controller is not nearly high enough to be able to secure the right type of man for the post. The salary would have at least to be doubled in* order |o place the occupant in a position both in the Civil Service and in the eyes of the public such as is demanded by the necessities of the case. Many to-day speak of the relations between science and progress, but there is no one to talk of the relation between patents nnd progress." NEED FOR COURT'S DECfSiON Major Clifton, representing tho National Institute of Inventors, endorsed silaolntcly Sic fiichurd Gregory's insistence on_tln> Controller of the Patent Office having high technical qualifications. At Ihe sumo tune, however, he paid i< tribute 1o the. way in which the work of ilie Patent Offico'wKß being expedited. Patents are ww granted, hii said, in woofcsj when before they look as lunch as eighteen month:-'. The lot oF tho in-Vi-.ntrii" ia hard. Of ton he invents solneIbing which wo now know was invented m (Ik- reign of Tutankhamen. 11b pays £1 for a provisional patent and then £3 for a definite patent, hut the fact remains that » decision of tho Courts is tho only way on whidi h<can prows validity. 85, Float street.