Article 29 Inspection of documents

United Kingdom

(1)

Where a design has been registered under the Act, there shall be open to inspection at the Patent Office on and after the date on which the certificate of registration is granted every document kept at the Patent Office in connection with that design.

(2)

But no document may be inspected—

(a)

before the end of the period of 14 days F1beginning immediately after the day—

(i)

it was filed at the Patent Office; or

(ii)

received by the registrar or the Patent Office;

(b)

where that document was prepared by the registrar or the Patent Office for internal use only;

(c)

where the document includes matter—

(i)

which in the registrar's opinion disparages any person in a way likely to damage him; or

(ii)

the inspection of which would in his opinion be generally expected to encourage offensive, immoral or anti-social behaviour.

(3)

Unless, in a particular case, the registrar otherwise directs, no document may be inspected —

(a)

where—

(i)

the document was prepared by the registrar or the Patent Office other than for internal use; and

(ii)

it contains information which the registrar considers should remain confidential;

(b)

where it is treated as a confidential document (under rule 30).

(4)

In this rule and rule 30 references to a document include part of a document.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in rule 29(2)(a) substituted (31.3.2013) by virtue of The Trade Marks and Registered Designs (Amendment) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/444), rules 1, 7, Sch. 2 (with rule 8)