Explanatory note

Upon consolidation, with modifications, of the Patents Rules 1982, (S.I. 1982/717 as amended), by the Patents Rules 1990 (S.I. 1990/2384), (“the 1990 Rules”), these Rules revoke and replace the Patents (Fees) Rules 1990. They come into force on 7 January 1991, the date upon which the 1990 Rules come into force.

With regard to the fees prescribed under the Patents (Fees) Rules 1990 (effective from 10 September 1990), Form 13/77 (payment of additional fee under section 25(4) of the Patents Act 1977) is deleted and its function and associated fee incorporated into Form 12/77. A further fee of £105 is introduced on Form 9/77 for a supplementary search under section 17(8) of the Patents Act 1977, in addition to two new fees (£11 each), which are prescribed in relation to Forms 8A/77 and 8B/77 (samples of micro-organisms) as a result of revisions contained in the 1990 Rules.