Patents Regulations (Amendment) (Cth)

Statutory Rules 1997No. 345 1

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Patents Regulations2(Amendment)

I, The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following Regulations under the Patents Act 1990.

Dated 8 December 1997.

 WILLIAM DEANE

 Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command,

J. MOORE

Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism

____________

1.   Commencement

1.1   Regulations 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 14 commence on 1 January 1998.

[NOTE:  The remainder of these Regulations commence on gazettal: see Acts Interpretation Act 1901, s 48.]

2.   Amendment

2.1   The Patents Regulations are amended as set out in these Regulations.

3.   Application to certain applications

3.1   The amendment of Part 4 of Schedule 7 of the Patents Regulations by regulation 14 of these Regulations applies only to an international application filed on or after 1 January 1998.

4.   Regulation 1.4 (English text of treaties)

4.1   Subregulation 1.4 (2):

Omit “1 January 1996”, substitute “1 January 1998”.

5.   Regulation 10.3 (Amendments not allowable)

5.1   Paragraph 10.3 (2) (b):

Omit “were”, substitute “was”.

6.   Regulation 11.1 (Infringement exemptions: prescribed foreign countries)

6.1   Omit “in Part 1”.

7.   Regulation 20.43 (Disciplinary Tribunal: acting appointments)

7.1   Paragraph 20.43 (3) (b):

Omit the paragraph, substitute:

• “(b)

  is to terminate the appointment if the person appointed fails, without reasonable excuse, to disclose a conflict of interest in accordance with regulation 20.45 (‘disclosure of interest’).”.

8.   Regulation 22.2 (General fees)

8.1   Subregulation 22.2 (2):

Omit “item 25”, substitute “item 18”.

8.2   Subregulation 22.2 (4):

Omit the subregulation.

9.   Regulation 23.10 (Fee taken to have been paid)

9.1   Paragraph 23.10 (c):

Omit “item 29”, substitute “item 22”.

9.2   Omit “item 29”, substitute “item 22”.

10.   Schedule 2A (Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty)

10.1   Rules 86.1 and 86.2:

Omit the rules, substitute:

“86.1  Contents and Form

 (a)  The Gazette referred to in Article 55 (4) shall contain:

(i)

for each published international application, the data specified by the Administrative Instructions taken from the front page of the pamphlet published under Rule 48, the drawing (if any) appearing on the said front page, and the abstract,

(ii)

the schedule of all fees payable to the receiving Offices, the International Bureau, and the International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities,

(iii)

notices the publication of which is required under the Treaty or these Regulations,

(iv)

information, if and to the extent furnished to the International Bureau by the designated or elected Offices, on the question whether the requirements provided for in Articles 22 or 39 have been complied with in respect of the international applications designating or electing the Office concerned,

(v)

any other useful information prescribed by the Administrative Instructions, provided access to such information is not prohibited under the Treaty or these Regulations.

 (b)  The information referred to in paragraph (a) shall be made available in two forms:

(i)

as a Gazette in paper form, which shall contain the data specified by the Administrative Instructions taken from the front page of the pamphlet published under Rule 48 (‘bibliographic data’) and the matters referred to in paragraph (a) (ii) to (v);

(ii)

as a Gazette in electronic form, which shall contain the bibliographic data, the drawing (if any) appearing on the said front page, and the abstract.

“86.2  Languages;Access to the Gazette

 (a)  The Gazette in paper form shall be published in a bilingual (English and French) edition. It shall also be published in editions in any other language, provided the cost of publication is assured through sales or subventions.

 (b)  The Assembly may order the publication of the Gazette in languages other than those referred to in paragraph (a).

 (c)  The Gazette in electronic form referred to in Rule 86.1 (b) (ii) shall be made accessible, in English and French at the same time, by any electronic ways and means specified in the Administrative Instructions. The translations shall be ensured by the International Bureau in English and French. The International Bureau shall ensure that the making accessible of the Gazette in electronic form shall be effected on, or as soon as possible after, the date of publication of the pamphlet containing the international application.”.

10.2   Item 1 of the Schedule of Fees:

Omit “762 Swiss francs” (twice occurring), substitute “650 Swiss francs”.

10.3   Item 2 of the Schedule of Fees:

Omit “185 Swiss francs” (twice occurring), substitute “150 Swiss francs”.

11.   Schedule 4 (Convention countries)

11.1   Omit the Schedule, substitute:

 SCHEDULE 4 Subregulation 8.5 (1)

 and regulation 11.1

 

CONVENTION COUNTRIES

Albania

Algeria

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Benin

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzogovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei Darussalam

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Canada

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

China

Colombia

Congo

Costa Rica

Côte d’Ivoire

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Denmark (including Faroe Islands)

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Estonia

Fiji

Finland

France (including all Overseas Departments and Territories)

Gabon

Gambia

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Grenada

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

Haiti

Holy See

Honduras

Hong Kong, China

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of

Korea, Republic of

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macau

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mali

Malta

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mexico

Moldova

Monaco

Mongolia

Morocco

Mozambique

Myanmar

Namibia

Netherlands (including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba)

New Zealand (excluding the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau)

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Norway

Pakistan

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Romania

Russian Federation

Rwanda

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

San Marino

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

South Africa

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Surinam

Swaziland

Sweden

Switzerland

Syrian Arab Republic

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Thailand

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Togo

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom (including the Isle of Man)

United Republic of Tanzania

United States of America (including all territories and possessions, including the Commonwealth

of Puerto Rico)

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Venezuela

Viet Nam

Yugoslavia

Zambia

Zimbabwe

12.   Schedule 6A (Prescribed employee—subsection 209 (1) of the Act)

12.1   After subparagraph (a) (iii), insert:

• “(iiia)

  Class 6—Manager, Examination Support and Sales;”.

12.2   After subparagraph (a) (xv), insert:

• “(xvi)

  Class 4—Team Leader, Examination Support and Sales;”.

13.   Schedule 7, Part 2 (General fees)

13.1   Omit the Part, substitute:

PART 2—GENERAL FEES

Column 1 Item	Column 2 Matter	Column 3 Fee
1	On filing a request for a patent accompanied by a provisional specification	$80
2	On filing a request for a petty patent accompanied by a complete specification	$280
3	On filing a request for a standard patent accompanied by a complete specification:
(a) filing; and	$280
(b) if the number of sheets comprising the specification, including any drawings contained in the specification, exceeds 30—for each sheet in excess of 30	$12
4	On filing a request for an examination of a patent request and complete specification:
(a) in the case of a request for an examination to be made in accordance with section 45 of the Act	$350
(b) in the case of a request for a modified examination	$290
5	On filing a request under subsection 44 (3) of the Act requiring the Commissioner to direct an applicant to request examination	$65
6	On filing a request under subsection 97 (2) of the Act for re-examination of a complete specification	$1,200
7	Continuation fee under paragraph 142 (2) (d) of the Act, or renewal fee under paragraph 143 (a) of the Act for:
(a) the third anniversary	$115
(b) the fourth anniversary	$140
(c) the fifth anniversary	$165
(d) the sixth anniversary	$200
(e) the seventh anniversary	$235
(f) the eighth anniversary	$270
(g) the ninth anniversary	$305
(h) the tenth anniversary	$345
(i) the eleventh anniversary	$385
(j) the twelfth anniversary	$430
(k) the thirteenth anniversary	$475
(l) the fourteenth anniversary	$525
(m) the fifteenth anniversary	$575
(n) the sixteenth anniversary	$630
(o) the seventeenth anniversary	$680
(p) the eighteenth anniversary	$730
(q) the nineteenth anniversary	$790
plus:
if paid within 6 months after the anniversary	$65 for each month, or part of a month, in the period between the anniversary and the day when the fee is paid
8	On filing a notice of opposition under regulation 5.3	$500
9	On filing a request under subregulation 5.5 (1) for dismissal of opposition	$65
10	On filing an application under subregulation 5.10 (2) for an extension of time, for each month, or part of a month, for which the extension is sought	$65
11	On making a representation to the Commissioner:
(a) under regulation 5.3A or subregulation 5.9 (3) objecting to a proposed amendment; or	$500
(b) under subparagraph 5.10 (5) (c) (i) objecting to an application or proposed action	$500
12	For sealing a standard patent under section 61 of the Act	$200
13	On filing an application for the grant of an extension of the term of a petty patent under section 69 of the Act	$350
14	On filing an application under section 66 of the Act for a duplicate of a patent to be sealed	$65
15	On filing a request for leave to amend:
(a) a complete specification under section 104 of the Act, before a request for examination has been filed or after the complete specification has been accepted; or	$105
(b) a patent request for a petty patent to make it a patent request for a standard patent	$105
16	On filing a request under subsection 150 (1) of the Act to restore a lapsed application	$90
17	On filing an application under subsection 223 (2) of the Act for an extension of time on a ground specified in paragraph 223 (2) (a) of the Act:
(a) for each month, or part of a month, for which the application is made; and	$65
(b) if the application is filed after the end of the time to be extended	$90
18	For granting an extension of time, on a ground specified in paragraph 223 (2) (a) of the Act, greater than that applied for by the applicant—for each month, or part of a month, of extension granted	$65 less any amount paid under paragraph (a) of item 17
19	On filing an application under subsection 223 (2) of the Act for an extension of time on the ground specified in paragraph 223 (2) (b) of the Act	$65
20	On filing:
(a) a request under regulation 22.22 for the exercise of discretionary power; or	$500
(b) a request for a hearing	$500
21	On appearing at a hearing	$500 less any amount paid under item 11 or 20 in relation to the hearing
22	On filing a response to the Commissioner’s report under section 45 or 48 of the Act, if filed more than 12 months, but within 21 months, after the date of the first report on the examination—for each month, or part of a month, after the 12 months, other than a month in respect of which a fee was paid under this item in relation to that examination	$65
23	For supply of a copy of:
(a) a patent specification; or	$15
(b) a document other than a patent specification; or	$10
(c) if more than 6 documents of the kind mentioned in paragraph (b) are sought from a single source and supplied at the same time	$60 plus 30 cents per page for each document in excess of 6 documents
24	For supply of a certificate by the Commissioner	$15
25	On filing a request for information under subregulation 19.2 (1), other than a request referred to in item 26 or 27—for each application, patent or document	$65
26	On filing a request for a computer printout of information under subregulation 19.2 (1) about a patent or a patent application	$10
27	On filing a request under subregulation 19.2 (2) for information that requires an international-type search	$800
28	On filing a request under section 58 of the Act for the result of a search made under section 45 or 48 of the Act	$65
29	On filing a substitute page or pages in compliance with a direction under subregulation 3.2 (4):
(a) within 3 months after the day when the direction was given	$65
(b) after the time specified in paragraph (a) but before the application becomes open to public inspection	$100
30	For filing an abstract after the day when a direction was given under subregulation 3.4 (5)	$65
31	For taxing costs under subregulation 22.8 (3)	$65

14.   Schedule 7, Part 4 (Fees for international applications payable for the benefit of the International Bureau)

14.1   Omit the Part, substitute:

PART 4—FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS PAYABLE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

Column 1 Item	Column 2 Matter	Column 3 Fee
1	Basic fee under Rule 15.2 (a) of the PCT:
(a) if the international application contains not more than 30 sheets	650 Swiss francs
(b) if the international application contains more than 30 sheets	650 Swiss francs, plus 15 Swiss francs for each sheet in excess of 30 sheets
2	Designation fee under Rule 15.2 (a) of the PCT:
(a) for designations made under Rule 4.9 (a)	150 Swiss francs per designation, provided that   any designation made under Rule 4.9 (a) in excess of 11 shall not require the payment of a designation fee
(b) for designations made under Rule 4.9 (b) and confirmed under Rule 4.9 (c)	150 Swiss francs per designation
3	Handling fee under Rule 57.2 (a) of the PCT	233 Swiss francs

NOTES

1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 December 1997.

2. Statutory Rules 1991 No. 71 as amended by 1991 No. 456; 1992 No. 148; 1993 Nos. 113, 227, 340 and 341; 1994 Nos. 182, 317 and 387; 1995 Nos. 16, 20, 82 and 427; 1996 No. 271; 1997 No. 192.