The Patents and Plant Variety Rights (Compulsory Licensing) Regulations 2002 © Crown Copyright 2002 Statutory Instruments printed from this website are printed under the superintendence and authority of the Controller of HMSO being the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament. The legislation contained on this web site is subject to Crown Copyright protection. It may be reproduced free of charge provided that it is reproduced accurately and that the source and copyright status of the material is made evident to users. It should be noted that the right to reproduce the text of Statutory Instruments does not extend to the Queen's Printer imprints which should be removed from any copies of the Statutory Instrument which are issued or made available to the public. This includes reproduction of the Statutory Instrument on the Internet and on intranet sites. The Royal Arms may be reproduced only where they are an integral part of the original document. The text of this Internet version of the Statutory Instrument which is published by the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament has been prepared to reflect the text as it was Made. A print version is also available and is published by The Stationery Office Limited as the The Patents and Plant Variety Rights (Compulsory Licensing) Regulations 2002, ISBN 0 11 039398. The print version may be purchased by clicking here. Braille copies of this Statutory Instrument can also be purchased at the same price as the print edition by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0870 600 5522 or e-mail:customer.services@tso.co.uk. Further information about the publication of legislation on this website can be found by referring to the Frequently Asked Questions. To ensure fast access over slow connections, large documents have been segmented into "chunks". Where you see a "continue" button at the bottom of the page of text, this indicates that there is another chunk of text available.
The Secretary of State, being a Minister designated[1] for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972[2] in relation to measures relating to the legal protection of biotechnological inventions, in exercise of powers conferred on her by the said section 2(2), and after consultation with the Council on Tribunals pursuant to section 8(1) of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992[3], hereby makes the following Regulations[4]: Citation, commencement and extent 1. - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Patents and Plant Variety Rights (Compulsory Licensing) Regulations 2002 and shall come into force on 1st March 2002. (2) These Regulations extend to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Interpretation 2. - (1) In these Regulations -
(b) in Scotland, the Court of Session;
(2) Any reference to a numbered regulation is a reference to the regulation so numbered in these Regulations and any reference to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph so numbered in the regulation in which the reference occurs. Applications 3. - (1) Where a person cannot acquire or exploit plant breeders' rights or a Community plant variety right in a new variety without infringing a prior patent, he may apply in accordance with rules to the Comptroller General of Patents for a licence under the patent and on such application shall pay the prescribed fee. (2) An application under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by particulars which seek to demonstrate that -
(b) the applicant has applied unsuccessfully to the proprietor of the prior patent concerned for a licence to use that patent to acquire or exploit plant breeders' rights or a Community plant variety right, and (c) the new plant variety, in which the applicant wishes to acquire or exploit the plant breeders' rights or Community plant variety right, constitutes significant technical progress of considerable economic interest in relation to the invention protected by the patent.
(3) If and so far as any agreement purports to bind any person not to apply for a licence under paragraph (1), it shall be void.
(b) the applicant has applied unsuccessfully to the proprietor of the patent concerned for a licence to use the prior patent to acquire or exploit plant breeders' rights or a Community plant variety right, and (c) the new plant variety, in which the applicant wishes to acquire or exploit the plant breeders' rights or Community plant variety right, constitutes significant technical progress of considerable economic interest in relation to the invention protected by the patent,
the controllers shall order the grant to the applicant (or, where the applicant is a government department, shall order the grant to any person specified in the application) of a licence to use the invention protected by the prior patent in so far as the licence is necessary for the exploitation of the new plant variety on the conditions set out in regulation 7 and on such other terms as the controllers think fit.
(b) entitle the proprietor of the patent concerned to an appropriate royalty, and (c) entitle the proprietor of the patent concerned to a cross licence on reasonable terms to use the new plant variety.
(2) Where the controllers order the grant of a compulsory patent licence to a person who has been granted plant breeders' rights in the new plant variety, the proprietor of the patent concerned may request, a cross licence on reasonable terms of the plant breeders' rights to use the new plant variety in respect of which the compulsory patent licence has been granted and, on such request, the controllers shall order the grant of such a cross licence to that proprietor (or, where the proprietor of the patent is a government department, to any person specified in the request).
(b) cross licence under regulation 7(2) or 7(3),
and extend, limit or in any other respect vary the licence granted under the order.
(b) cross licence under regulation 7(2) or 7(3),
if the circumstances which led to the order for grant have ceased to exist or are unlikely to recur.
(b) cross licence under regulation 7(2) or 7(3),
have ceased to exist or are unlikely to recur, the controllers may revoke the order and terminate the licence granted under the order, subject to such terms and conditions as they think necessary for the protection of the legitimate interests of the holder of the compulsory patent licence or the cross licence ordered to be granted under regulation 7(2) or 7(3). Applications 11. - (1) Where a proprietor of a patent for a biotechnological invention cannot exploit a biotechnological invention protected by the patent without infringing prior plant breeders' rights, he may apply in accordance with Breeders' regulations to the Controller of Plant Variety Rights for a licence and on such application shall pay the plant breeders' fee. (2) An application under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by particulars which seek to demonstrate that -
(b) the proprietor of the patent has unsuccessfully applied to the holder of the prior plant breeders' rights for a licence, and (c) the biotechnological invention protected by the patent constitutes significant technical progress of considerable economic interest in relation to the plant variety protected by the prior plant breeders' rights.
(3) If and so far as any agreement purports to bind any person not to apply for a licence under paragraph (1), it shall be void.
(b) the proprietor of the patent has unsuccessfully applied to the holder of the prior plant breeders' rights for a licence, and (c) the biotechnological invention protected by the patent constitutes significant technical progress of considerable economic interest in relation to the plant variety protected by the prior plant breeders' rights,
the controllers shall grant to the proprietor of the patent for the biotechnological invention (or, where the proprietor is a government department, to any person specified in the application) a licence to use the plant variety protected by prior plant breeders rights on the conditions set out in regulation 14 and on such other terms as the controllers see fit.
(b) entitle the holder of the plant breeders' rights concerned to an appropriate royalty, and (c) entitle the holder of the plant breeders' rights concerned to a cross licence on reasonable terms to use the biotechnological invention protected by the patent.
(2) Where the controllers grant a compulsory plant variety licence to a proprietor of a patent for a biotechnological invention, the holder of the plant breeders' rights concerned may request the grant of a cross licence on reasonable terms to use the biotechnological invention protected by the patent and, on such request, the controllers shall grant such cross licence to the holder of plant breeders' rights (or, where the holder is a government department, to any person specified in the request).
(b) under Article 29 of Council Regulation,
a compulsory exploitation right in respect of a Community plant variety right to a proprietor of a biotechnological invention protected by a patent, who could not otherwise exploit in the UK the biotechnological invention protected by the patent without infringing a Community plant variety right, the holder of the Community plant variety right concerned may, in accordance with rules, apply to the Comptroller General of Patents for a cross licence of the biotechnological invention protected by the patent and on such application shall pay the prescribed fee.
(b) the Community Plant Variety Office has granted, under Article 29 of Council Regulation, a compulsory exploitation right in respect of it which allows a proprietor of a patent for a biotechnological invention to exploit in the UK the biotechnological invention protected by the patent,
the Comptroller General of Patents shall order the grant of a cross licence on reasonable terms to the holder of the Community plant variety right concerned (or, where the holder is a government department, to any person specified in the application) to use in the UK the biotechnological invention protected by the patent. Appeals 17. - (1) An appeal lies from a decision of the controllers or Comptroller General of Patents under these Regulations. (2) Where a decision of the controllers relates to a compulsory patent licence or cross licence ordered to be granted under regulation 7(2) or 7(3), or where a decision of the Comptroller General of Patents relates to a cross licence ordered to be granted under regulation 15(3), an appeal may be brought to the court. (3) Where a decision of the controllers relates to a compulsory plant variety licence or cross licence of a patent for a biotechnological invention granted under regulation 14(2), an appeal may be brought to the Tribunal as if the decision of the controllers were one made by the Controller of Plant Variety Rights under section 17, and referred to in section 26(1)(c), of the 1997 Act and section 45 of the 1997 Act shall apply accordingly. 18. The Secretary of State shall draw up and from time to time revise a panel of persons who have specialised knowledge of biotechnological inventions. 19. - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), appeals to the Tribunal under regulation 17(3) shall be governed by the provisions of Part II of the 1997 Act and Breeders' regulations. (2) The provisions of Schedule 3 to the 1997 Act shall apply to appeals under regulation 17(3) with the following modifications -
(b) the panels referred to in paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 3 to the 1997 Act shall be treated as including the panel constituted under regulation 18.
Extension of powers to make rules and regulations
(b) applications under regulations 8 and 16(4) for variation and under regulations 9 and 16(5) for revocation of compulsory patent licences and cross licences, (c) proceedings before the controllers or the Comptroller General of Patents as the case may be in relation to applications in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), (d) fees, and (e) other matters related to or arising under these Regulations,
and section 124 of the 1977 Act shall apply accordingly.
(b) applications under regulation 16(1) for variation and under regulation 16(2) for revocation of compulsory plant variety licences and cross licences, (c) proceedings before the controllers in relation to applications in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), (d) appeals from the decisions of the controllers in relation to such applications, (e) fees, and (f) other matters related to or arising under these Regulations,
and section 48(2) to (5) of the 1997 Act shall apply accordingly.
(b) proceedings before the Comptroller General of Patents in relation to -
(ii) the revocation of compulsory licences granted under section 48(1) of the 1977 Act, and
(c) other matters provided for in the Patents Rules related to applications and proceedings in respect of such compulsory licences,
shall, subject to paragraph (2), extend and apply to and be taken to make corresponding provision in respect of applications for the grant of licences under regulation 3(1), proceedings before the controllers in relation to the grant of such applications, the variation or revocation of compulsory patent licences and cross licences under regulations 7(2), 7(3) and 15(3), and other matters related to or arising under these Regulations.
(b) proceedings before the Controller of Plant Variety Rights in relation to -
(ii) the variation or revocation of compulsory licences granted under section 17(1) of the 1997 Act,
(c) appeals to the Tribunal, and
shall, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), extend and apply to and be taken to make corresponding provision in respect of applications under regulation 11(1), proceedings before the controllers in relation to such applications, the variation or revocation of compulsory plant variety licences and cross licences granted under regulation 14(2), appeals to the Tribunal and other matters related to or arising under these Regulations.
(b) giving a notice of opposition to an application made under section 48,
shall extend and apply to and be taken to make corresponding provision in respect of an application for a licence under regulation 3(1) or 15(1), and giving a notice of opposition under regulation 5(1).
(b) applications to extend, limit, vary or revoke such licences, (c) making representations in writing to the Controller, and (d) attending to be heard by the Controller,
shall extend and apply to and be taken to make corresponding provision in respect of an application for a licence under regulation 11(1), applications to extend, limit, vary or revoke compulsory plant variety licences and cross licences granted under regulation 14(2), and proceedings before the controllers referred to in regulation 12.
(b) decisions of the Comptroller General of Patents including orders for grant of compulsory licences, (c) legal proceedings in respect of appeals from the Comptroller General of Patents, and (d) other matters,
as and to the extent they relate to compulsory licences under section 48(1), shall extend and apply to and be taken to make corresponding provision in the UK in respect of proceedings before the controllers, decisions of the controllers including orders for the grant, variation and revocation, of compulsory patent licences and cross licences ordered to be granted under regulations 7(2), 7(3) and 15(3), legal proceedings in respect of appeals from the controllers and other matters related to compulsory patent licences and cross licences ordered to be granted under regulations 7(2), 7(3) and 15(3) arising under these Regulations.
(b) decisions of the Controller of Plant Variety Rights in relation to compulsory licences, (c) appeals from the Controller of Plant Variety Rights to the Tribunal, (d) appeals from the Tribunal, and (e) other matters,
as and to the extent they relate to compulsory licences under section 17(1), shall extend and apply to and be taken to make corresponding provision in respect of proceedings before the controllers, decisions of the controllers including the grant, variation and revocation of compulsory plant variety licences and cross licences granted under regulation 14(2), appeals from the controllers and other matters related to compulsory plant variety licences and cross licences granted under regulation 14(2) arising under these Regulations. (This note does not form part of the Regulations) These Regulations implement Article 12 of Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions (OJ No. L 213, 30.7.98, p. 13). Articles 1 to 11 of that Directive have been implemented by the Patents Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2037) and Articles 13 and 14 by the Patents (Amendment) Rules 2001 (S.I. 2001/1412). These Regulations enable the Comptroller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks and the Controller of Plant Variety Rights, acting jointly, to grant non-exclusive compulsory licences and cross licences where the exploitation of a patent would infringe a plant variety right and vice versa (regulations 6 and 13). In these circumstances an applicant for a compulsory patent or plant variety licence must show that he has applied unsuccessfully to the respective patent or plant variety right holder to obtain a licence (regulations 3(2)(b) and 11(2)(b)). In the case of an application for a compulsory patent licence, the applicant must also show that the new plant variety, in which he wishes to acquire or exploit the plant breeders' rights or a Community plant variety right, constitutes significant technical progress of considerable economic interest in relation to the invention protected by a prior patent (regulation 3(2)(c)). In the case of an application for a compulsory plant variety licence, the proprietor of a patent for a biotechnological invention must also show that his invention constitutes significant technical progress of considerable economic interest in relation to the existing plant variety protected by prior plant breeders' rights (regulation 11(2)(c)). Where a compulsory licence has been granted, the holder of plant breeders' rights or proprietor of a patent for a biotechnological invention, in respect of whose rights the compulsory licence has been granted, is entitled to payment of an appropriate royalty and the grant of a cross licence on reasonable terms (regulations 7 and 14). Where the Community Plant Variety Office has granted a compulsory exploitation right in respect of a Community plant variety right to a proprietor of a patent for a biotechnological invention who could not otherwise exploit his invention in the UK without infringing the prior Community plant variety right, the holder of the Community plant variety right concerned may apply to the Comptroller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks for a cross licence to use the biotechnological invention protected by the patent (regulation 15). Part IV of these Regulations makes provisions for appeals (regulations 17 to 19). The route of appeal depends upon the nature of the main compulsory licence which forms the subject matter of the controllers' decision appealed from. If the decision appealed from relates to the grant of a compulsory patent licence, the appeal is to the Patents Court of the High Court. An appeal lies also to the Patents Court of the High Court in respect of a cross licence granted under regulation 7(2) or 7(3) as a condition of the grant of the compulsory patent licence. If the decision appealed from relates to the grant of a compulsory plant variety licence or cross licence of a patent for a biotechnological invention (granted under regulation 14(2) as a result of the grant of the compulsory plant variety licence), the appeal is to the Plant Variety and Seeds Tribunal (regulations 17 to 19) and subsequently, on points of law only, to the High Court. The respective powers of the Secretary of State and Ministers to make rules and regulations under the relevant primary legislation have been extended so as to permit them to make rules and regulations governing applications and proceedings under these Regulations (regulations 20 and 21). Subject to the exercise of extended powers, existing procedures and fees for applications and proceedings in the relevant primary and subordinate legislation relating to compulsory licences apply to applications for compulsory licences under these Regulations as if these applications were made under section 48(1) of the Patents Act 1977 and section 17(1) of the Plant Varieties Act 1997 respectively (regulations 22 to 25). The provisions of primary legislation extend and apply to matters provided for in these Regulations with any necessary modifications (regulations 26 and 27). A regulatory impact assessment and transposition note are available, copies of which have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies of the assessment and transposition note are also available from the Intellectual Property Policy Directorate of the Patent Office, Room 3B38, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport NP10 8QQ. Notes: [1] S.I. 2000/738.back [4] In accordance with section 88(2) of the Scotland Act 1998, the Secretary of State has consulted the Scottish Ministers.back [7] 1907 c. 29 and see section 130 of the Patents Act 1977.back [8] OJ No. L 227, 1.9.1994, p. 1.back [9] OJ No. L 258, 28.10.95, p. 3.back [10] S.I. 1998/1778 as amended by S.I. 1999/1093.back [11] S.I. 1995/2093 as amended by S.I. 1999/1092, S.I. 1999/1899, S.I. 1999/3197 and S.I. 2001/1412.back [12] S.I. 1998/1021 as amended by S.I. 1998/1089 and S.I. 2001/3630.back [14] Schedule A2 was inserted by the Patents Regulations 2000, S.I. 2000/2037.back [15] OJ No. L 213, 30.7.98, p. 13.back
ISBN 0 11 039398
|
|
| ||
| We welcome your comments on this site | © Crown copyright 2002 | Prepared 1 March 2002 |