A.-5

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : That is really the point. Mr. DEAKIN : I have not any material at hand here to explain the details in which I thought that was possible. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : What I find is that there are legal difficulties, and I think they are set forth here in the memorandum which I will put in; I will not trouble the Conference by reading it. Mr. DEAKIN : We have not seen that, have we ? Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : No. Yeu will find the difficulties are all set out there. We do not mind inquiring into the whole question if you can put it into the form rather of an inquiry as to whether something can be done to assimilate the laws. Mr. DEAKIN : I will do that. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Would you mind putting your resolution in that form ? CHAIRMAN : And then it can be taken up at a subsidiary Conference. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Would something of this sort suit you ? " That greater uniformity of the patent laws throughout the Empire is " desirable so far as local circumstances permit." Mr. DEAKIN : Certainly, but would not you go further ? That is a general affirmation that greater unity is desirable so far as local circumstances permit, but could not some action be taken, perhaps preferably on your initiative, if we were to furnish you, if you do not possess a complete statement of our patent laws and methods to be collated by you. Then you might be prepared to suggest to each of us any amendments you would commend if we should see our way to make them. This would be a means of bringing us into line in whatever directions it is possible to obtain uniformity. If you added to your general assertion something of that sort it would be a most useful thing. Sir WILLIAM ROBSON : There can be no harm in any expression as to what is desirable, but I think before any constituent member of the Conference commits himself to this resolution or anything like it they would require a very great deal of further consideration. Mr. DEAKIN : Are you speaking of the resolution that the President of the Board of Trade has just read ? Sir WILLIAM ROBSON : No, but the addendum that you are suggesting should be made to it—" That patents granted in Great Britain or in any " Colony possessing a patent office of a standard to be specified should be " valid throughout the Empire." I think that is Mr. Deakin's aim, rather.

Thirteenth Day. 8 May 1907.

Uniformity of Patent Laws.

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