Propose a change

Patents Act 1977

Write the words of this act the way you think they should read. Solon shows your change as a redline against the published text and pins it to that exact text, so it can never be applied to wording you did not see.

Change 1

What to do with it
As published

20A Reinstatement of applications

(1) Subsection (2) below applies where an application for a patent is refused, or is treated as having been refused or withdrawn, as a direct consequence of a failure by the applicant to comply with a requirement of this Act or rules within a period which is— (a) set out in this Act or rules, or (b) specified by the comptroller. (2) Subject to subsection (3) below, the comptroller shall reinstate the application if, and only if— (a) the applicant requests him to do so; (b) the request complies with the relevant requirements of rules; and (c) he is satisfied that the failure to comply referred to in subsection (1) above was unintentional. (3) The comptroller shall not reinstate the application if— (a) an extension remains available under this Act or rules for the period referred to in subsection (1) above; or (b) the period referred to in subsection (1) above is set out or specified— (i) in relation to any proceedings before the comptroller; (ii) for the purposes of section 5(2A)(b) above; or (iii) for the purposes of a request under this section or section 117B below. (4) Where the application was made by two or more persons jointly, a request under subsection (2) above may, with the leave of the comptroller, be made by one or more of those persons without joining the others. (5) If the application has been published under section 16 above, then the comptroller shall publish notice of a request under subsection (2) above in the prescribed manner. (6) The reinstatement of an application under this section shall be by order. (7) If an application is reinstated under this section the applicant shall comply with the requirement referred to in subsection (1) above within the further period specified by the comptroller in the order reinstating the application. (8) The further period specified under subsection (7) above shall not be less than two months. (9) If the applicant fails to comply with subsection (7) above the application shall be treated as having been withdrawn on the expiry of the period specified under that subsection.

Your change, as a redline

20A Reinstatement of applications

(1) Subsection (2) below applies where an application for a patent is refused, or is treated as having been refused or withdrawn, as a direct consequence of a failure by the applicant to comply with a requirement of this Act or rules within a period which is— (a) set out in this Act or rules, or (b) specified by the comptroller. (2) Subject to subsection (3) below, the comptroller shall reinstate the application if, and only if— (a) the applicant requests him to do so; (b) the request complies with the relevant requirements of rules; and (c) he is satisfied that the failure to comply referred to in subsection (1) above was unintentional. (3) The comptroller shall not reinstate the application if— (a) an extension remains available under this Act or rules for the period referred to in subsection (1) above; or (b) the period referred to in subsection (1) above is set out or specified— (i) in relation to any proceedings before the comptroller; (ii) for the purposes of section 5(2A)(b) above; or (iii) for the purposes of a request under this section or section 117B below. (4) Where the application was made by two or more persons jointly, a request under subsection (2) above may, with the leave of the comptroller, be made by one or more of those persons without joining the others. (5) If the application has been published under section 16 above, then the comptroller shall publish notice of a request under subsection (2) above in the prescribed manner. (6) The reinstatement of an application under this section shall be by order. (7) If an application is reinstated under this section the applicant shall comply with the requirement referred to in subsection (1) above within the further period specified by the comptroller in the order reinstating the application. (8) The further period specified under subsection (7) above shall not be less than two months. (9) If the applicant fails to comply with subsection (7) above the application shall be treated as having been withdrawn on the expiry of the period specified under that subsection.

One line that says what changes, such as "Halve the dog tax".

Who it helps, what it costs, what it fixes. It is what persuades people to support it.

A proposal here is not law. Support on Solon is evidence that people want the change; the official route says what it takes to make it law.

Sign in to file your proposal. What you have written stays on this page.

Sign in to file it

Think it through

Ask what your change would do, who would gain and who would bear a cost, and where something like it is already law. The assistant reads your draft as it stands, cites the law and the studies it finds, and takes no side. What you file stays yours.

Questions to start with
Think it through
Legal information from the published text, not advice for your case. Check the sources. Find a law · What the register holds