Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Intellectual Property Rights Project
Intellectual Property Rights Project
Submitted By:
Kashish Khurana
Anmol Kataruka
BBA, ll.b(h.)
Batch 2011-16
9th semester
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
IwouldliketoexpressmyspecialthanksofgratitudetomyteacherMr.
MayankKapilawhogavemethegoldenopportunitytodothiswonderful
projectonthetopicTHEPATENTSLAWININDIAwhichalsohelped
meindoingalotofResearchandicametoknowaboutsomanynew
thingsIamreallythankfultohim.
INDEX
THE PATENETS ACT, 1970- AN OVERVIEW
Meaning of patent
Gains to inventor
Application of patent
Joint Application
APPLICATION BY
Provisional specification
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Complete specification
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Ground of opposition
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Grant of Patent
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Register of patent
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Types of patents
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Infringement
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Relief
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Toencourageresearchandpromotetheinventivegenius
ToSecureforinvestorsawardsforinventingusefulinventions
Togiveprotectiontoinventorsbyconferringthemamonopolyfrom
commercialexploitingtheirinventions.
Toinduceindustriestoundertakeresearchanddevelopment
Tomaintainaflowofinventions,oneinventionleadingtoanother.
Increasingbothqualitativelyandquantitatively,theproductionpotentialin
thecountry,bycreatingnewprocessesandnewmethodsinproductionof
goodsandservices.
Toaddtheindustrialgrowthofthecountryandimprovethequalitysincethe
beginningofthe1856hasgreatlyhelpedtheindustrialgrowth.Theprincipal
ofgrantinglimitedprotectiontotheinventorforaperiodinconsiderationof
hisdisclosingtheinvention,andthereafterreleasingtheinventiontopublic
usehasimprovedproductionofgoodsandservicesonmassscale.
Gains to inventor
Thegainare:
Monetaryrewardstheinventormaygetfromtheauthoritiesandperson
whorecognizehismerit.
Protectionofhisinventionagainstpilferage,imitationand
infringement.
Thelawdoesnotcompeltheinventortotakeoutpatentforhis
invention.Theinventorcankeephisinventionsecretandworkuponit
himselfifhehastokeepthesecretofinventionforeverunkownto
others.
Iftheinventorhasnofinancialresourcesadequateenoughtoworkthe
inventionhecantransferthepatentforconsiderationtootherswhocan
workontheinventionorassignitbygrantinglicencetootheron
paymentoffeesorroyalty.
Inventionbecomesthepropertyoftheinventorwhenitispatented.
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Application of patent
Thefollowingpersonscanmakeapplicationforpatent.
Personclaimingtobethetrueandfirstinventoroftheinvention.
Theassigneeofthepersonclaimingtobethetrueandfirstinventorinrespectof
therighttomakesuchapplication.
Thelegalrepresentativeofthedeceasedpersonwhoimmediatelybeforehisdeath
wasentitledtomakesuchapplicationcanmakeanapplicationforpatent.
Joint Application
Iftheapplicationismadebythejointinventors,thepatentisgrantedintheirnames
jointly.
Iftheapplicationismadebytheassigneeoftheinventor,thepatentisgrantedinthe
namelyoftheassignee,astheassigneeoftheinventor.
Theinventorandhisassigneecanmakejointapplication.Thelegalrepresentativeof
theinventoralongwiththeassigneeorthelicenseecanmakejointapplication.
Therecannotbeanyquestionoflicenseegettingthepatentinhisname.Hisnamewill
beshownorregisteredasthelicenseeinthepatentafterthepatentisgrantedinthe
nameofinventororisassignee.
Thepersonwhohasideaoftheinventioncannotclaimtobethetrueandthefirst
inventorwhenanothertowhomtheideaisconveyed,gaveapracticalshapetothat
idea.
APPLICATION BY
Application by film , company, Association, etc
Nameoftheaboveviz,thefirm,company,jointfamily,cooperativesocietyor
association of persons can make an application as the true and first inventor of
invention.Howevertheycanmakeanapplicationforpatentasassigneeofthetrue
inventororasanassigneeofrighttoapply.
Application by foreigner
AforeignerincludingaforeignnationalresidingoutsideIndiacanmakean
applicationforpatentinIndia.
InrespectofaninventionmadebyhiminIndia
InrespectofaninventionmadebyhimoutsideIndia.
InrespectofaninventionobtainedbyhimasassigneeorlicenseemadewithIndia
oroutsideIndia.
Inrespectofaninventionforwhichheappliedforpatentinanyconventioncountry.
Theapplicationshallbeintheappropriateprescribedformonly.Separateformsare
prescribedforfilingtheapplicationbythetrueandfirstinventor,andfortheassignee
orlegalrepresentativeoftheinventor.Theapplicationandallitsenclosuresshallbe
filedintriplicate.Thefeesshallbepaidalongwithapplication.Andthecontroller
willnottakeanyactionontheapplicationunlessthefeesisreceivedbyhim.
Where the application is sent by post it shall be sent by the Registered post
acknowledgementdue.Unlesstheacknowledgementisproducedthecontrollerwill
not accept any other proof of service. The application shall be accompanied by
provisionalspecificationorcompletespecificationasthecasemaybe.
Iftheapplicantistheassigneeorlegalrepresentative,proofofapplicantsrightto
maketheapplicationshallbefilledalongwiththeapplicationforpatentorwithin3
monthsfromthedateofapplication.Inallthecasestheapplicationshouldcontainthe
nameofthetrueandfirstinventorandapplicantmustalsosaythatheisinpossession
of the invention. The application shall be confined to one invention only. The
applicationshallbeeitherinEnglishorinHindi.
2)Precautionstobetaken
Patent office scrutinizes the application very carefully. Wherever the applicant is
requiredtosignheshallsigninfull.Allthedocumentsandallthecopiesrequiredto
befiledshouldbeproperlyattestedbytheauthoritycompetenttoattest.Itmaybe
notedthatthesealoftheattestingofficerisputonallthepages.ThePlans,designetc.
whicharerequiredtobefiledaredrawninpaperofqualityasmaybeprescribedand
shallbeinaccordancewithscaleandsize.Failuretosatisfytheofficeinanyofthese
matterswillresultinthereturnoftheapplicationandallthedocuments.
3)Stagesofprocedure
Onlyafterthefeesreceivedinfull,thecontrollerwillissueanacknowledgement
mentioningthedateonwhichtheapplicationisreceivedathisoffice.Thedateof
receiptoftheapplicationasmentionedintheacknowledgementisthedateofpriority
oftheapplication.Andapplicantshallbeverycarefulandvigilantinsecuringthe
officialacknowledgementandinpreservingittillthepatentisgranted.
a)Firststageofficeobjections
The office of the controller will then examine the application as to whether the
applicationfiledisinaccordancewiththeproceduresprescribed.Ifthereareany
deficienciestheapplicantisrequiredtomakegoodthedeficiencies.Aftertheoffice
objectionsaresatisfactorilycompliedwith,thecontrollerwillissueadirectionthat
theapplicationbekeptpendingfor12monthsreckonedfromthedateofreceiptof
application.Duringthisperiodtheapplicantshallfilethecompletespecification.The
layoverperiodisstatutorilyfixed.
Thistimeisintendedtoenabletheapplicanttoreexaminehisinvention,checkand
re check the result, improve upon the invention and explore the possibilities, its
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usefulnessandmarketability.The12monthslayoverperiodmaybeextendedby3
moremonthsifanapplicationisfiledtogetherwithcompletespecificationforits
extension.
b)SecondStage:ExaminationbyExaminer
Afterthecompletespecificationisfiled,thecontrollerwillrefertheapplicationtothe
examinerofthepatentwhoexaminestheapplicationthoroughlyonmeritsofthe
applicationforpatentandwhethertheapplicantisentitledtothegrantinaccordance
withtheclaimsmadeinhiscompletespecification.Ifthereareanyobjections,the
examinerofpatents willcommunicatethesametotheapplicantrequiringhimto
complywiththeobjections.Onconsiderationofallthemattersconnectedwiththe
grantof
patent,theexaminerfinallysubmitshisreporttothecontroller.TheExaminerof
patentsshallasfaraspossiblesubmithisreportwithin18monthsfromthedateof
reference or reference or such extended term as the controller may grant him to
submithisreport.
C)Thisstage:Acceptanceandproceedingsinopposition
Onreceiptofthereportfromtheexaminerofthepatent,thecontrollerwilldecidethe
issue of acceptance of the application. If accepted, the Controller will direct the
publicationofthepatentapplicationintheofficialgazetteforinformationtoallthose
whomaybeinterestedinopposingthegrantofpatent.Ifnoobjectionsfromanyof
theinterestpartiesarereceivedandifthecontrollerfindsogroundforrejectionsof
theapplication,he,byanordergrantsthepatent.
Incaseanyobjectionsarereceivedwithin4monthsfromthedateofpublication,the
controller will decide on the objection after giving full opportunity of making
representation,adducingofevidenceandhearingtoallthosewhofiledobjectionsand
theapplicant.TheOrdermadebythecontrollerattheconclusionoftheproceedings
inoppositionisaquasijudicialorder.Thecontrollerhimselffunctioningasaquasi
judicialtribunalwithpowerofacivilcourtinmattersofreceptionofevidenceand
holdingtrialasifitisasuit.Theproceedingsbeforethecontrollerfindsthatthe
objectorhimselfisentitledtothepatenthehasthepowertotreatthatpersonwhofiles
theobjectionastherealapplicantandproceedaccordingly.
d)Fourthstage:sealingofpatent
With in 6 months from the date of the order disposing off the objection in the
proceedingsofoppositionandgranttotheapplicantthepatent,theapplicantmay
applytothecontrollertoregisterthepatentandgranthimthePatentcertificateand
sealthepatent.Theapplicantwillthereafterwillbecalledapatentholderorpatentee.
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e)Refusaltograntpatentconsequence
Ifthecontrollerultimatelyrefusestograntthepatent,itmeansthattheapplicants
request to grant him monopoly in his invention is rejected. In other words the
knowledgeaboutinventionbecomespublicpropertyasanyotherinventionforwhich
apatentisnoteitherappliedfororthepatentthetermofwhichhasexpired.
Protectionperiod
Theperiodbetweenthedateonwhichtheapplicationismadealongwithprovisional
specification and the date on which the patent is granted is called the protection
period.Duringthisperiodtheinventorcanmakehisinventionknowntothepublic,
getpublishedinjournalandexhibittheprocessofthemanufactureandtheproduct
which couldbemanufactured.Since theinventorhas the advantage ofprotection
period,itisveryessentialandnecessarythatheshouldfirstmaketheapplicationfor
thegrantofpatentandthenonlythinkofpublishingtheinvention.
Provisional specification
Asthenameitselfshowsthattheprovisionalspecificationisaprovisionalintimation
oftheinventiontothecontroller.Theprovisionalspecificationshouldcontainthe
outlineoftheinventionandnotnecessarilybedetailed.Ifshouldindicatetheworking
andutilityoftheinvention.Thereisnoneedtofurnishanyminutedetailsthereof.
Thereshouldbeclearindicationintheprovisionalspecificationwhichcanbetreated
as having a fair reference to The claims to be incorporated in the complete
specification.Provisionalspecificationshouldcommencewithatitlewhichshould
sufficientlyintroducethesubjectmatteroftheinvention.Then,itshouldfollowthe
descriptiveoutlineoftheinvention,itsnovelty,workingandutility.
Complete specification
Aswiththeprovisionalspecification,completespecificationwillalsocommence
withthetitle,andaparagraphmaybedevotedfordefiningandexplainingvarious
termsusedinthespecifications.Thedescriptionoftheinventionwhichfollowsmust
be full and shall give all details. Simple and clear language shall be used and
ambiguityshouldbeavoided.Thedescriptionshallfollowasequenceofeitherevents,
thoughts,experimentsortheprogressionoftheinvention.
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Ground of opposition
Thegroundsonwhichonecanopposethegrantofpatenttothepersonwhoclaims
thepatentare;
Thatthepersonclaimingthepatenthaswronglyobtainedtheinventionortheright
tomaketheapplicationforpatent.
Thattheinventionforwhichpatentclaimedisalreadypublished.
Thatthereisalreadyapriorclaiminthecompletespecificationearlierfiled.
Thattherewaspriorknowledgeoftheclaimmadeinthecompletespecification
fromthedateanteriortothedateofitspriority.
Thattheinventionsuffersfromobviousnessandlacksinventivestep.
Thatthesubjectoftheclaimcannotbetreatedasinventionandisnotpatentable
undertheAct.
Thatthecompletespecificationdoesnotsufficientlyandcleardescribethe
inventionorthemethodbywhichitistobeperformed.
ThattheapplicantforpatentfailedtodiscloseinformationrequiredundertheAct,
orfurnishedinformationwhichinmaterialparticularsisfalsetohisknowledge.
That,theapplicationwhichisaconventionapplicationisfiledbeyondtime.
Thepurposeofoppositionproceedingsistoassurethatthepersonwhoisreally
entitledtothepatentisonlygrantedthepatentandthatarealpatentableinventionis
onlygrantedthepatent.
Grant of Patent
After Controller has rendered his decision and ordered the grant of patent , the
applicanthastomakeanapplicationfortheissueofpatentandforsealingit.Suchan
application can be filed within six months from the date of the decision of the
controllerorwithinsuchextendedtimethecontrollermaygrant.Onreceiptofsuch
request from the applicant, the controller will register the patent in the Register
maintained at the office of the controller of patents and grants the patent with a
number which was originally allotted to it on the date of the acceptance of the
completedspecificationanddatedalsothesamedateonwhichitwasnumbered.The
controllerwillonthedateoftheissueofpatent,sealthepatent.Therefore,thepatent
willbearthenumberanddateonwhichthecompletespecificationisacceptedandthe
sealingdateisthedateonwhichthepatentisregisteredandsealed.
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Thedateofpatentisrelevantforpurposesofcalculatingthetermofthepatent.The
fourteenyeartermofpatentcommencesfromthedateofpatent.Thisalsoisthedate
relevantforpurposesofcalculatingtheamountofrenewalfeeswhichistraded
upwardsforeachsuccessiveyearandtheduedatesforpaymentofrenewalfees.The
dateofsealingisrelevantforpurposesofcalculatingthefiveyearorsevenyearterm
ofthepatentwhichisthegrantedinrelationtotheprocessesofarticlesoffoodand
drugs.Thedateofsealingisrelevantalsoforpurposesofdeterminingthetimeafter
whichcompulsorylicencesofrightcanbegranted
Thefirstobligationisthatthepatentholdermustworkthepatent.Heshouldthus,
fulfilltheprimaryobjectofthegrantofpatent.Heshouldactasmodelforfurther
inventions.Thenextobligationistopayrenewalfeesasprescribedinaccordance
withthescaleonduedateseveryyear.Thethirdobligationofthepatentholderisthat
heshouldreporttothecontrollertheprogressoftheworkingofthepatent.
Renewalfeesisnotpayablefortheperiodduringwhichadirectiongivenbythe
controllertokeepthepatentsecretinviewofthesecurityrequirements,remainsin
force.Ifthedirectionisrevokedinanyyearirrespectiveofthetimeatwhichtheorder
ofrevocationwasissued,renewalfeesshallhavetobepaidforthefullyear.Ifinany
yearthepatentholderfailstopaytherenewalfeesintimehemaygetextensionupto
sixmonthsandpaytherenewalfeesaccordingly.Iftherenewalfeesisnotpaideven
aftertheperiodisextended,thepatentceasestohaveeffectfromthedatewhenthe
renewalfeefirstfelldueandnotonthedatewhentheextendedperiodexpires.
Register of patent
ThepatentofficeatCalcuttawillmaintainaRegisterofpatent.Itcontainsallrelevant
particularsaboutthepatentasandwhentheyareregistered.Alltheadditionalentries
relevanttotheregistrationandallchangesandamendmentswillbedulyenteredso
thattheregisterreflectsthepositionuptodate.Thefollowingparticularsarenotedfor
eachofthepatentregistered.
The name, address for service, nationality of the patent holder, the title of the
inventionincludingthecategorytowhichitbelongs,thedateofpatent,andthedate
ofsealing.
All particulars and notifications about the assignments, transmissions, licences,
amendments,extensions,andrevocationsareallrecordedintheregister.
Particularsofthepaymentoffeesandrenewalscanbeseenintheregister.Ifthere
are any changes in the address of the patent holder or holders, the same will be
recordedintheregister.
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TheregisterofpatentismaintainedattheHeadOffice,Calcuttaandthecopyofthe
sameisavailablewithalltheBranchOffices.Theyareavailableforinspectionon
paymentoffees.
Types of patents
Thetypesofpatentgrantedbythecontrollerofpatentsare
1)Ordinarypatent
a)productpatentandprocesspatentand
b)patentofadditionforimprovementandmodification
2) combination patent
3) selection patent
4) convention patent and
5) Pipeline patent or sealed box patent
Allotherexceptordinaryarecalledpatentunderspecialcategories.
(a)productpatentandprocesspatent
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ThepatentlawinIndiamakesdistinctionbetweentheproductpatentandprocess
patent. Where the invention relates to the manufacture of machine, article or
substancewhichisnew,novelandusefulandthepatentaskedforisfortheproduct,
suchpatentiscalledproductpatentwherebyanew,novelandusefulprocessanew
bettercheapermultiactivearticleorsubstanceismadeavailablethepatentaskedfor
isfortheprocess,suchpatentiscalledprocesspatent.
Whileboththeprocessandproductpatentsareavailableinallareasofmanufacture,
process patent only and not product patent are granted in India respect of the
followingsubstances.
(b)patentofaddition
Patentofadditionisgrantedtotheapplicantwhowasgrantedalreadyapatentor
whoseapplicationforpatentispending.Suchpatentmaybeforimprovementoverthe
originalpatentormaybeamodificationoftheinvention.Thepatentofadditioncan
notbesealedunlesstheoriginalpatentissealed.
Thetermofthepatentofadditionissameasthatoftheoriginalpatentanditruns
simultaneouslywiththatoftheoriginalpatentandexpiresattheSametimeasthe
originalpatentexpires.Thereisnoneedtopayseparaterenewalfeesforpatentof
addition.Ifforanyreasontheoriginalpatentisrevoked,thepatentofadditionmaybe
keptaliveifsoorderedbythecontroller.Thepatentofadditionkeptalivetillthe
expiryoftheunexpiredperiodoftherevokedoriginalpatentshallbesubjecttothe
paymentofrenewalfees.
2)Combinationpatent
Itisacceptedasasoundpropositionthatmereplacingsidebysideoftheknown
integersofapatent,eachperformingitsownproperfunctioninspiteofcombination,
isnotapatentablecombination.Whenknownintegersplacedtogetherbyaninventive
stepintoaworkinginterrelationshipproducinganewarticleorabetterorcheaper
article,thenthereisapatentablesubjectmatter.Merecollectionofmorethanone
integernotinvolvinganyinventivestepisnotpatentable.
Evenwherethechangeisveryslightbuttheresultofcombinationissignificantor
significantimprovementthenthereexistsapatentablesubstancetobeconsideredasa
combinationpatent.
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3)SelectionPatent
Whentheselectedmemberschosenoutofpatentedsubstanceandtheyareselected
fortheirspecialcharacteristicandtheinventivestepresultsinanewsubstance,the
patentthatwillbegrantedisselectionpatent.Therearethreecharacteristicswhich
determinewhetherthepatentaskedforisaselectionpatentoracombinationpatent,
theyare:
Selectionfrommembersofthesubstancealreadypatentedmustbebasedonsome
substantialadvantage.Thewhole
ofselectedmembersmustpossestheadvantage.Theselectedmembersmusthave
qualityofspecialcharacterwhichmaybepeculiartotheselectedgroup.
Theinventivestepinselectionpatentconsistsintheexerciseofintellectualfaculty
inchoosingsomeoftheadvantagesofthepatentedsubstancesandbringingouta
substancewhichisnewandhavingspecialadvantage.
Theprinciplesinvolvedincombinationpatentandselectionpatentareapplicableto
mechanicalpatentsalso.
4)Conventionpatent
Withaviewtofulfillthetreatyobligationincurredwiththeconventioncountries,the
GovernmentbyanotificationspecifiesthenamesofcountrieswhichgivetoIndian
citizenthesamefacilitiesinrelationtopatentsastheygivetoothernationalsand
offerstothenationalsofthoseconventioncountriesfacilitiesinrelationtopatents.
SuchnotificationmaycoverthewholefieldoccupiedbytheIndianpatentActorso
muchonlyofitisasiscommensuratewiththefacilitiesgrantedbythoseconvention
countriestotheIndiancitizens.
Theapplicationmadeinaccordancewiththesaidnotificationbyanynationalofa
conventioncountryinIndiaforpatentorforalicenceforanIndianpatenteitherby
himselforinassociationwithIndiancitizens,iscalledconventionapplication.
6)SealedBoxPatent
TheexpressionsealedboxpatentdoesnotoccurintheIndianPatentsAct.Itisa
name popularly adopted to indicate the manner in which the application for the
productpatentformedicinesanddrugsinIndiaistreatedduringtheperiodoften
yearsfromJanuary,1995to2005.Here,theapplicationforpatentisreceivedandis
notsenttotheExaminerofpatentsinthemannerinwhichitwassosentinallother
cases.Itiskeptas thoughinasealedboxwithoutanyfurtheraction.Butinthe
meanwhile,iftheapplicantmakesarequesttogranthim
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Infringement
Rightsofthepatentholderaretherightsofmonopolyexclusivetohiminthepatent.
Hewhobreachesthemonopoly,issaidtoinfringetherightsofthepatentholder.The
rights ofmonopolygrantedtothepatentholderconsistsinhisexclusiveright,to
make,use,exercise,sellordistributethearticlesmanufacturedinaccordancewiththe
patentormanufacturedinaccordancewiththepatentprocess.Nobodyelsecanuse
patentedinventionorpatentedprocessformanufacturingthearticlesorsubstances.
Apersonwhousesthepatentedinventionorapatentedprocessorthepersonwho
produces the articles and substances, for which there exists a patent, commits
infringement.Apersonorinstitutionwhichusesthepatentedinventionforresearch
purposesdoesnotcommitanyinfringement.InfringementofpatentIsnotacriminal
offence.Theinfringerisnotliabletobeprosecutedinanycriminalcourt.
Relief
Thepatentholdercanssuretheinfringerforpermanentinjunction.Hecanalsoaskfor
exparteinteriminjunctiononthedateoffilingthesuitwhichifgrantedwillbein
forceinitiallyforaperiodofonemonthandthereaftercontinuedorwithdrawnin
accordancewiththeordersthatmaybemadebythecourt.Thepatentholdercanask
fordamagesorforadirectiontorenderanaccountforprofits.Asamatteroffactthe
suitisonlyoneinwhichallthereliefcanbeaskedforincludingdeliveryofand
destructionofinfringedarticles.
Theactdoesnotrequirethatanypreviousnoticeisnecessarybeforeactionistaken
againsttheinfringer.Iftherearecircumstances whichwarranttheissueofnotice
hopefullywithaviewthatthedefendantmaysettlethematteroutofcourt,anotice
maybeissued.Whereinjunctionisanimmediatenecessitythereshouldnotbeany
delayinfillingthesuit.
Thefirstprinciplethecourthasnofollowingrantinginjunctionisthatifthereisa
clearbreachofright,itispermissibleforthecourttoinvokeanyequitablebarto
refuseinjunction.Thepatentholdermustfirstprimafacieestablishthelegaltitleto
thepatent,hisrighttoapplytothecourt,thebalanceofconveniencewherebyhe
should show that the losses he will suffer are immeasurable and cannot be
compensatedandthedamages,lossofbusinessandmarketreputationhewillsuffer
will be irreparable. Unless these essentials are satisfied the court will not issue
injunctionagainsttheinfringer.
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