The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-02-15
PATENT OFFICE REPORT.
Amendments to the Patent and Trade
Mark Laws Recommended.

The Commissioner Of Patents has sub.
mitted his annual report TO Congress.
The urgent bequest for more space is
again dwclt upon at some length, and rec
ommendation for an increased force of ex-
aminers is made; also, for an annual appro-
priation Of s25 600 to begin the publication
OF digest TO classify the patents.
The report shows that there has been n
great Improvement in the Patent Office un.
der the workings of the classical service
rules, and says that ,he appointment of
Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner
should cease to be Political, their salaries
should he increased. and they should hold
their office ON the tenure Of good behavior.
Regarding the Patent Office exhibit at the
World $ Columbian Exposition the report
says that II will comprise upwards OF $500
models, nearly all of them working ma.
chimes, arranged in chronological order, be-
ginning with The first crude implements and
ending with the latest improvements.
The report recommends legislation con.
cerning international patent matters and
says that in 1887 the United States became
member of the international Union for the
protection OF industrial property but no
statutes have been enacted in this country
to carry out the provisions OF the treaty and
Ut present the United States is open to the
charge of non fulillment OF its treaty obli-
cations Congress is urged to prepare a
way for early legislation TO meet this condi'
tion of affairs.
The report adds that our patent law Is ex-
certionally liberal towarde foreigners and
urges that legislation be enacted that will
place American inventors ON the same foot
ing in the foreign countries
A number of amendments to the patent
and trade mark laws are embodied in the
report.
They are to the effect that no improve.
ment shall be patentable which has been,
for more than two years before application
NfaNV In, aNat.
orprnted publication issued in this country.
That patent shall not expire with the ex-
piration OF u prior foreign patent for the
same invention.
An applicant is compelled TO take action
upon his application at least once every six
months, and patent shall in no case live
for more than 20 years from date of first ap-
plication therefor. Patent licenses are re-
quired to be recorded the same Ms assign
menis or grants. Aliens are to be put upon
the same footing as citizens as TO fling OF
caveats.
Interference contests are to he abolished
in the Patent Office, and they are to be rele-
gated TO the courts.
No damages or profits shall be.recovered in
n suit for infringement except such as ac-
crue within the six years last preceding the
bringing Of suit. An injunction issued
by a court against the transfer of patent
may be registered in the Patent Office.
Courts of equitable jurisdiction are given
power to pass the title to letters patent in a
proper case, without any action on the par,
of the defendant
The net receipts Of the office during the
| last calendar year were 81, ,2S63 33l 81 and
the expenditures 81 ito, 7j9 "a. making the
receipts over expenditures Sl75,592 40.
The amount to the credit of the Office
! in the Treasury, January l,ls92 was Si,0Ol,-
! 3l7 67 and adding to this the years receipts
and deducting expenses for the same period
] l..N. III.
. 81 l79, $40 90.
There were 81 ,i27 patents issued to citi-
Gems of the United States during the past
year I, nd 2,05l to foreigners.