New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-13
TO PROTECT INDUSTRIAL PROPEhff'
REPORT OF TIE AMERICAN DELEGATES TO THE
BRUSSELS CONFERENCE.

! REPORT OF TIE AMERICAN DELEGATES TO THE
BRUSSELS CONFERENCE.
Washington. March l,-Thc full report Of the con-
ference OF the Union for the Protection OF In
dustrlal Property which met at Brussels In De-
cembcr last has been received from the dele
gates representing the United States-behamy
Storer United States Minister TO Belgium, ana
Francis Forbcs-and Is OF marked interest. Iherc
were present nj the conference not only delegates
from, nrtcen Of the States Of the Union. but also
from seven countries which have not yet adhered
70 IT, among them Germany and Japan. Inc prop
ositions for amendment OF the convention submitted
by the United States looking toward RECIPROCITY IN
the matter OF fees the requirements OF wofklns
and Inventions belonging 10 certain classes which
arc p.,ontoblc in the United States but not In
certain other countries held by the conference
10 be contrary 10 the general spirit OF the con-
ventiou but several solutions of the difficulties COM
planned Of were suggested which would not oe
obnoxious TO 1t.
The United States delegates took an active in
tercst In the discussion OF changes proposed
IN the agreement respecting the international regis
traton Of trade marks, though this country Is not
al presen, a party IT. The purpose OF TINS agree
mert is 10 make the International bureau, a'
Berrc the centre Of a cheap registration "hic"
shall be efficient over the territory OF the adherng
S.a,ce This registration is regarded as extremely
dcsra Bile and is practically necessity II Ameri-
can manufacturers are to be protected IN their
foreign trade. unless their tradc-marks are
registered In each OF the countries with wnich
they have or wish to have an extensi"c Uade 'hey
are likely to find their goods stopped at the Gus.
tom house or seized as being an ihlrnscincne
OF the rights Of some citizen OF the cp'n.ls -, "m J
has knowingly appropriated their TRADE ihark anu
had IL registered This has. In fact ,ireqEE"n.y
happened especially in Germany nited , S,a,es
manufacturing firm whose trnde-InhrN Is hnoW MIN,
from one end Of the country 10 the o'her le.,n,E
complained 10 the Patent ONCE that the uaue,
mark had been copied and registered ny " 'i ~
manufacturer. who was able, by virtue Oh III. .,ts
registration 10 stop its trade in that country! ne
same thing IS said 10 have happened 10 an r''E,
sh manufacturer whose trade marx is known an
over The world VINO had. however laiIc1 10 resiste,
{, himself In Germany Tire fec for this internationai
registration reduced TO 100 FRANCS ior the nist
deposited for registration at the same time D!
the same owner. -. .a
Annexed to the report are number CT phpers
Of great interest. Among these Is n statencnt
the extension OF the delay Of priority TO one year
instead Of months, and abolition OF lorieIue
OF patents for non-wortng. They SEEM 10 maxi
amendment as to those TWO points the conditoh
OF their adhesion 10 the convention rom U! .HVoc
arc favored by the United States delegates ms
he in tho interest Of American inventors
Among the other papers Is statement OF tne
inventions excluded from protection IN nuHu"I
or foreign countries. and MISC one showing inc re-
ouircments TO working the nNcn'lon iihut III, ~
the invention In the country within one year m
validates a patent granted on that inTention' ~,
othcrs two or even three. years are allowed anu
,mnortation OF goods made under the parent IS
prohibited. This means that the manurac,u ,, OF
an American invention must establish factories
in oach of these countries or give UP patent pro
lection IN those counties. and s an onc'ous re-
Quircment.