THE LAW OF PATENTS. 291 



improvements relating to mechanical and chemical science have very greatly 

 conduced to the civilization of mankind, the progress of commerce, and the 

 wealth of nations. 



"2. That the ingenuity of Englishmen especially has effected many valu- 

 able inventions and improvements in almost every department of science and 

 manufactures, whereby the commerce, wealth, and power of the British 

 dominions have been promoted to an extent unparalleled in the annals of 

 any other nation. 



"3. That in order to develope to the fullest extent the inventive talents of 

 our countrymen, every encouragement and security should be given to in- 

 ventors consistent with the public welfare. 



" 4. That the present very heavy expenses, loss of time, and other incon- 

 veniences, occasioned by the intricate routine or operation of passing through 

 a great number of useless forms to which the inventor is subjected in obtain- 

 ing letters patent, exhibit a tendency not calculated to encourage, but abso- 

 lutely to baffle and paralyze the efforts of a class so essential in maintaining 

 the commercial pre-eminence of this kingdom. 



"5. That for many of the most valuable discoveries and inventions, this 

 country js indebted to the expansive minds of operatives and individuals in 

 humble life, who are prevented from securing to themselves the advantages 

 of their inventions on account of the present expensive process of obtaining 

 protection by royal letters patent. 



" 6. That inventors should not, in obtaining patent right for their inven- 

 tions, be burdened with any more expenses than such as may be absolutely 

 necessary for the establishment and maintenance of one government office 

 and for publishing full particulars of all patents granted. 



" 7. That for want of an official record of patents easy of access to the 

 public, many patents are taken out for the same invention, to the serious loss 

 and discouragement of patentees and manufacturers. 



" 8. That the practice of allowing six months to specify the particulars of 

 inventions, for which letters patent have been granted, operates very injuri- 

 ously both to patentees and the public, is a source of constant annoyance to 

 persons contemplating patents for inventions, and gives rise to much useless, 

 frivolous, and expensive litigation. 



" 9. That the present state of the law involves an expensive, dilatory, in- 

 convenient and uncertain mode of obtaining redress in cases of infringement 

 of patent right ; that the Judges of the land have been frequently at variance 

 in their decisions, and that juries are seldom found qualified to understand 

 the matters in dispute. 



" 10. That Commissioners be substituted for the law officers of the Crown, 

 to consist of one person eminently conversant with mechanics, and one con- 

 versant with chemistry ; the third, in order to form a quorum, to be a bar- 

 rister, or, if necessary, one of the law officers. 



"11. That the juries to try patent cases shall be scientific men, conversant 

 with the subject in dispute. 



" It will be seen from the above extracts that some of the suggestions were 

 embodied in the Patent Law Amendment Act of 1852, viz. a very great re- 

 duction in the cost of obtaining letters patent, a simplification of the process 

 of application, and the publication of all specifications recorded, forming one 

 of the most complete libraries of invention and scientific progress extant; 

 but still this Committee is well aware that further improvements are neces- 

 sary ; and, in considering such further improvements, the interests of the 

 public and the inventor must be taken jointly, and not separately." 



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