THE COMING OF RADIO

Evening Star, Issue 21824, 13 September 1934, Page 12

THE COMING OF RADIO

QUESTION OF PATENTS PRESENT CONVENTIONS INADEQUATE [From Ouk Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 12. The need for fresh provisions m local law and international conventions to deal with unusual problems which arise from radio development is pointed out in the annual report of the Commissioner of Patents (Mr H. T. Atkinson). The report indicates that the main increase in applications for patents related to telegraphy and telephony (including phonographs, 311! applications being dealt with during the year as against 210 last year. “ This class of inyoution has for many years shown groat activity, and the sudden leap in the number of inventions last year calls Cor 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 the growing tendency for tins kind of property to be controlled by large organisations whoso fees and evidence of title are sometimes questioned by customers. It is unnecessary to emphasise the extraordinarily powerful position that radio already occupies in regard to national and international welfare, and the rapidity of the growth of the industry makes it difficult to forecast the limits of future development. It has become quite evident, however, that fresh provisions in regard to local law and international conventions are necessary from time to time to meet the unusual problems to which radio gives rise.”