Patents Act, 1964
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Restoration of lapsed applications for patents. |
30.—(1) Where a patent has not been sealed by reason only that the prescribed request was not made within the time allowed for that purpose by or under section 23 of this Act, then if the Controller is satisfied, upon application made within six months after the expiration of that time by the applicant for the patent, that the failure to make the request was unintentional, he may order the patent to be sealed notwithstanding that the prescribed request was not made as aforesaid. | |
(2) An application under this section shall contain a statement (to be verified in such manner as may be prescribed) fully setting out the circumstances which led to the failure to make the prescribed request; and the Controller may require from the applicant such further evidence as he may think necessary. | ||
(3) If after hearing the applicant (if the applicant so requires or the Controller thinks fit) the Controller is satisfied that a prima facie case has been made out for an order under this section, he shall advertise the application in the Journal; and within the prescribed period any person may give notice to the Controller of opposition thereto on the ground that the failure to make the prescribed request was not unintentional. | ||
(4) If notice of opposition is given within the period aforesaid, the Controller shall notify the applicant and shall give to him and to the opponent an opportunity to be heard before he decides the case. | ||
(5) If no notice of opposition is given within the period aforesaid, or if in the case of opposition the decision of the Controller is in favour of the applicant, the Controller shall, upon payment of the fee prescribed in respect of the making of the request for sealing and of such additional fee as may be prescribed, make the order in accordance with the application. | ||
(6) An order under this section for the sealing of a patent shall be subject to such provision as may be prescribed for the protection of persons who may have begun to avail themselves of the invention between the date when the time allowed by or under section 23 of this Act for making the prescribed request expired and the date of the application under this section. | ||
(7) An appeal shall lie from any decision of the Controller under this section. |