Patent decision

BL number

O/100/01

Concerning rights in

GB2303563

Hearing Officer

Mr R Walker

Decision date

28 February 2001

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

Leonard Harris

Provisions discussed

PA 1977 section 28

Keywords

Restoration

Related Decisions

None

Summary

The applicant used a patent agent to prosecute a patent application but did not recollect receiving various letters from his agent concerning the grant of the patent and the payment of the first renewal fee. However, the applicant did receive a later letter from his agent, which referred to a conversation and offered to ensure that the patent remained in force if the applicant paid a specified sum by a particular date. The applicant misunderstood the letter and did not respond to it. The Hearing Officer found that the letter was reasonably clear and gave the applicant cause to query it with his agent if he did not recollect the conversation mentioned. Restoration was not allowed because the applicant failed to take reasonable care on receipt of this later letter.

Full decision O/100/01 21Kb