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ARTICLE · 09 FEBRUARY 2004

Changes In UK Patent Law - The Patents Bill 2004

Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co
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The Patents Bill recently introduced in the House of Lords will make important changes to UK Patent Law.

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
David Gibbins
David Gibbins

Summary

The Patents Bill1recently introduced in the House of Lords will make important changes to UK Patent Law. Businesses which apply for or hold UK patents, need to be aware of these changes. This hot topic is an alert to some of the major provisions.

Background

The Bill makes amendments to the Patents Act, 1977 both to deal with the requirements of the amended European Patent Convention of 20002, and to make changes to the domestic patent law. There are also some minor changes to the Act to reflect changes in the regulations made under the PCT.

The Patents Bill is running in tandem with the Regulatory Reform (Patents) Order, 20043which makes changes to the Act required by the Patent Law Treaty 20004, which harmonises procedures for filing and prosecuting patent applications.

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