This Act lays down provisions in matter of patents and designs and establishes rules for their registration. The Act is composed of the following Parts: (I) Designation; (II) Definitions; (III) The Office of the Comptroller; (IV) Patentability; (V) Right to apply for and obtain a patent and be mentioned as inventor; (VI) Applications; (VII) Examination and grant of refusal; (VIII) Effects of a patent application and a patent; (IX) Assignment of patents; (X) Contractual licences and licences of right; (XI) Non-voluntary licences and Government explotation; (XII) Amendments, surrender and invalidation; (XIII) Re-establishment of rights; (XIV) Infringements – Civil actions; (XV) Infringements – Criminal actions; (XVI) Right of appeal; (XVII) Miscellaneous; (XVIII) Interpretation; (XIX) Registrability; (XX) Applications; (XXI) Administrative and supplementary provisions; (XXII) Infringement; (XXIII) General provisions; (XXIV) Regulations. To be patentable, inventions must be new, involve an inventive step and be susceptible of industrial application (art. 4). An invention shall be considered novel if it does not form part of the prior art (art. 5). Processes and products for modifying the genetic identity of animals which are likely to cause them suffering without any substantial medical benefits to man or animal shall not be patentable.
Malta · 2000-01-01