UK Patents Act Flashcards
What are the requirements for a patent to be granted for an invention (4)
New
Inventive step
Industrially applicable
Not excluded subject matter
What is excluded as patentable inventions? (5)
Discovery, scientific theory or mathematical method
Literature, drama, music, art or other aesthetic creations
Scheme, rule or method for performing mental act, playing game, doing business or a computer programme
Presentation of information
As such
Commercial exploitation of invention would be immoral or contradict public policy
What does “as such” mean
Aerotol [2006] and [2007]
1. Properly construe claims
2. Identify actual contribution
3. Ask if falls solely within exclusion
4. Check if actual contribution is technical
When is an invention novel?
When it does not form part of the state of the art
What is the state of the art
All matter made available to the public before the priority date. To be novelty destroying the disclosure must be enabling.
What is section 2(3) prior art
Matter in a patent application with an earlier priority date which is validly published after the priority date of the inventions application. The earlier application must be a GB, EP, PCT(GB) or PCT(EP) application
When is a disclosure not considered part of the state of the art
If it occurred within 6 months before the filing date in the UK and either
a) the disclosure was due to or resulted from the invention being obtained by anyone unlawfully or in breach of confidence, from the inventor or anyone to whom the matter was disclosed in confidence, or
b) the disclosure was made in breach of confidence, or
c) disclosure was due to or resulted from the inventor displaying the invention at an officially recognised international exhibition which was stated on filing and confirmatory evidence was filed within 4 months
What is inventive step
An invention comprises an inventive step if it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art who knows all matter in the art (excluding section 2(3) prior art)
What are the Pozzoli steps
1a) identify the person skilled in the art
1b) identify the common general knowledge
2) identify or construe the inventive concept of the claim
3) identify any differences between the state of the art and the inventive concept of the claim
4) Viewed without any knowledge of the alleged invention as claimed, do those differences constitute steps which would have been obvious to the person skilled in the art or do they require any degree of invention?
What is industrial applicability
An invention is industrially applicable if it can be used in any kind of industry, including agriculture
What shall a patent not be granted for?
Method of treatment of the human or animal body during surgery or therapy or method if diagnosis practised on human or animal body. Substances and compositions for use in such methods are allowed and the use is considered new if the substance or composition itself is known in the art, or if the specific use is new
What is the priority date?
The filing date by default or the filing date of an earlier application if the priority requirements are met
What are the requirements for claiming priority?
- Later application must be filed by the applicant or their predecessor in title of the earliest priority document,
- Within 12 months from the filing date of the earliest priority application (unless late declaration), and
- The later application invention is supported by the priority document
What are the requirements for late declaration of priority
If the application is filed within 2 months of the end of the priority year, the applicant can request late declaration, file a form, pay a fee, and provide evidence that the failure to file the application within the priority period was unintentional (with evidence)
Must file declaration of priority on filing
When will the first application be disregarded for priority?
If it is withdrawn leaving no rights outstanding before publication, including the right to act as priority for any application anywhere, before the day the second application was filed in the same country as the first
When to file a declaration of priority
-On filing or
-Within 16 months of the priority date if no request for early publication (must be withdrawn before declaration), or
- If PCT(GB), within 1 month of national phase entry, or
- If divisional or application filed after dispute then request on filing date
If no request for early publication
What is required for a declaration of priority?
Country, date of filing and application number of earlier application, and a certified copy of earlier application unless a copy is already available to the comptroller
Who has the right to apply for a patent
Any person (a natural or legal person) either singly or jointly with another
Who has the right to obtain a patent
The patent may be granted to
1. The inventor (person who made an inventive contribution)
2. In preference a person entitled by agreement, law or treaty or
3. A successor in title to either of the above
And no other person
Who is the inventor
An actual deviser of the invention
How to change applicant details
File a request in writing with written evidence of reasons or request a correction of errors if a clerical or translation error
Excluded biotechnology inventions
Human body and gene sequences within it
Cloning humans
Modifying the germ line
Industrial or commercial exploitation of human embryos
Genetic modification of animals likely to cause suffering without significant medical benefits
Plant and animal varieties
Who can question entitlement before grant? (S8)
Any party or one or more co-applicants
What can happen after question of entitlement is raised for a patent application (S8)
The comptroller can
A. Replace some or all of the applicant names with new parties
B. Refuse to grant a patnet
C. Amend to excise contested elements of a patent, or
D. Order a licence or transfer of a right in the application to new party(s)
If application is excised, refused or withdrawn following entitlement dispute, what is the deadline for filing a new application? (S8) what is it’s filing date
3 months from the decision or end of appeal. Filing date is the filing date of the older application.
If comptroller orders a transfer of right following entitlement dispute (S8), what happens if it’s ignored
After 14 days, the comptroller can permit the other party to implement the order and potentially affected parties are informed or the comptroller can pass the matter on to the courts
Deadline for declaring inventorship and priority documents for new application following entitlement dispute
Later of 2 months after filing or 16 months after priority
If within 6 months of the compliance period then must supply on filing
Amicable ways to resolve entitlement disputes
Assignment
Comfort letter
Early settlement (money)
What happens if jount applicants disagree with how to prosecute a case
The comptroller can be asked by any of the parties to arbitrage and direct how to proceed and/or alter the number of applicants
Effect of transfer of application following entitlement dispute on licences
If one or more of the original applicants remain, then the extant rights granted to others continues
If none of the original applicants remain, the rights lapse upon registration of the new applicant BUT if the licencees were working or made serious and effective preparations to work the invention in good faith in the UK prior to entitlement dispute then they are entitled to be granted a licence from new applicants if requested within 2 months from comptroller decisions
Who can question entitlement for foreign applications? (S12)
Any person or one or more co-applicants
If EP application, then subject to applicant being resident in UK or an employee who is employed in the UK
When can a new application be filed following entitlement dispute for foreign application
EP application or GB designation withdrawn or refused during normal prosecution before entitlement questioned OR refused by request of the entitled person OR PCT(GB) or GB designation withdrawn or refused during normal prosecution before or after ant question is referred then within 3 months of comptroller decision (no added matter) and then treated as if filed on date of original application
What actions should be done for EP application entitlement dispute?
Request suspension of EP proceedings
Provide proof of entitlement proceedings begun in UK
If successful then UK decision can be used to transfer rights of an EP application
What is the impact on other national phase states if UK entitlement dispute for PCT application?
Cannot suspend proceedings and not all states are signatories to rhe protocol on recognition so may need to re-apply decision in each state
Inventors rights and by when
Inventor has eight to be mentioned in a granted patent
Applicant must provide inventors identity within 16 months from priority date and derivation of rights if application is not the inventor or the application will be deemed withdrawn
Use form
Use form for divisional or new applications following entitlement
PCT(GB) - later of 16 months from priority or 2 months from start of national phase
When can inventors’ rights be waived?
If requested before preparations for publication are complete. The inventor must give a reason.
When can inventors’ rights be waived?
If requested before preparations for publication are complete. The inventor must give a reason.
What to co-ownership allow
Default arrangement is equal undivided share subject to agreements to the contrary, each entitled to independently work the invention without infringing
Anyone may supply a co-owner with essential means to validly work the patent without being classed as a secondary infringer
What must all parties agree to (co-ownership)
Amend, revoke, licence, assign, mortgage or otherwise secure against the patent
Rights to sue for infringement (co-ownership)
Either party can start infringement proceedings without permission from other co-owners. All parties are brought into proceedings by only liable for costs if take an active part in proceedings.
When can entitlement dispute after grant be started (Section 37)
Within 2 years after grant until one of the grantees knew they were not entitled at the time of grant
What can be the effect of entitlement dispute of a granted patent
If patent is revoked unconditionally then claimant can apply for a patent to the whole of the spec or excluded matter if conditionally revoked (if entitled and within 3 months of comptroller decision)
Claimant may be added as an extra or replacement proprietor
Comptroller may require registration of transfer, grant of a licence or other right
When does an invention belong to an employer?
If made by employee in the course of normal duties or specifically assigned duties or if an invention was reasonably expected to arise from them or if the employee had a special obligation to further the interest of the employer
Overlapping rights of employee and employer copyright or design rights
If invention belongs to the employee then a patent can be applied for and worked within infringing any copyright or design rights that may belong to the employer