Directions under section 124A of the Patents Act 1977 varying the Directions given on 5 December 2007

[Ref. PD/EFD/13]

Filing patent applications by electronic means (ref. PD/EFD/9)

1. The comptroller has given the following Directions under section 124A of the Patents Act 1977.

2. These Directions come into force on 31 March 2008.

3. These Directions vary the Directions given on 5 December 2007 entitled "Filing Patent Applications by Electronic Means" ("The 2007 Directions").

4. The 2007 Directions shall be varied as follows:

(a) in paragraph 5, in the definition of "appropriate software", for the words "version 3.20", substitute

"version 3.20 or above"; and

in the definition of "priority application", for the words "rule 6(6)", substitute

"rule 2(1)";

 (b) in paragraph 10, for the term "04:00 hours", substitute

 "02:30 hours"; and

(c) in paragraph 22, for the words "Patents Form 23", substitute

"Patents Form 52"; and

after the words "evidence to support a request for a late declaration of priority made on Patents Form 3", insert

"evidence to support a request for a further extension made on Patents Form 52".

Sean Dennehey
Assistant Comptroller & Director of Patents
acting for the Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
10 March 2008