Subpart 3Other provisions for proceedings relating to patentsStanding of Attorney-General

Notice and registration requirements for proceedings on interests in patents

155 Notice must be given before bringing civil proceedings on unregistered interests in patents
  • (1) A person (A) must not bring civil proceedings in respect of any interest in a patent that is not registered under this Act unless A has first given at least 1 month’s written notice to the proposed defendant (B) of—

    • (a) A’s intention to bring proceedings; and

    • (b) A’s address for service.

    (2) If the interest is capable of being registered under this Act, B may require A to register A’s interest in the patent by giving written notice to A within 1 month of receiving A’s notice of intention to bring proceedings.

    (3) If B gives A written notice of that requirement, A must not bring civil proceedings in respect of that interest against B unless A registers the interest—

    • (a) within 6 months of B giving that notice; and

    • (b) at least 1 month before A commences proceedings.

    (4) However, the court may, on application in that behalf, authorise A to bring civil proceedings without complying with either or both of subsections (1) and (3).

    (5) In this section and section 156, interest in a patent means an interest to which a person may be entitled as owner, mortgagee, licensee, or otherwise in a patent.

    Compare: 1953 No 64 s 85(1)(a), (1)(c), (2)