PATENT LAW

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 65, 14 September 1934, Page 8

PATENT LAW

NEED FOR CHANGES

EFFECTS OF RADIO ' i /The ncod for fresh provisions in local law and international conventions to deal with tho unusual probloms which arise from radio developments is pointed out in the annual report' of tho Commissioner of Patents (Mr, H. T. Atkinson), presented to Parliament

The report points out that, the main increase in applications for patents related to telegraphy and telephony (inincluding phonographs), 313 applications being dealt with during the year as against 210 last year. "This class of invention has for many years shown great activity and the sudden leap in the number of inventions last year calls for special, comment," states the report. "The broadcasting industry depends for its existence upon patent monopolies and the international aspect of these monopolies becomes yearly more intricate and important. This is particularly-so on account of tho growing tendency for this kind of property to bo controlled by large organisations, whoso fees and evidence of title aro sometimes questioned by customers. It is unnecessary to emphasise the extraordinary powerful position that radio already' occupies in regard to national and international welfare and the rapidity of the , growth of tho industry makes it difficult' to forecast tho limits of futuro development. It has becomo quite ovideut, however, that fresh provisions in regard to local law and international conventions are necessary from time to time to meet tho unusual problems to which radio gives risß,"