Centenary of the enactment of the United Kingdom’s Patents and Designs Act 1907

The UK Patents and Designs Act 1907 was especially significant in the historical development of the patent system in the UK. The article notes that the Act repealed all previous legislation, except the Statute of Monopolies of 1623. It introduced new provisions for adequacy of disclosure (e.g. the power to require samples in support of chemical patent applications), prior claiming, term extension in cases of proven inadequate remuneration, compulsory licences or revocation in cases of non-working in the UK, innocent infringement, and Crown use. The author provides much information on the passage of the Bill that became this Act, including the politics and personalities associated with the Act and the problems giving rise to the changes.