“REPORT

OR MR. LEWIS S. WARE, DELEGATE OF THE INSTITUTE TO THE MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF INVENTORS IN PARIS, DECEMBER 11, 1902.

To the President and Members of the Franklin Institute.

GENTLEMEN:–in Compliance with your wished I acted as delegate of the Franklin Institute at a meeting held at the Arts et Metiers, Paris, on December 11, 1902, to present a memorial medal to M. Millerand, ex-Minister of Commerce, for services he rendered to inventors of all countries who have occasion to examine French patents,

The question at issue was fully explained, by Maitre Claude Couhin, the President of the Association of Inventors and Industrial Arts.  Comparison was made between the exceptional facility offered in the united States, England and Germany fro detailed examination of patents and all documents relating thereto, on the other hand, there are numerous formalities to be contended with.

The expired patents were deposited in the Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers, while the others were in the building of the Ministry of Commerce.  The demands for patents were made in another section of the city, and the money installments for patent applications was a formality that was carried out elsewhere.  Through the exertions of M. Millerand the whole subject has been much simplified, and all patents, whether old or new, all demands, consultations, etc., may now be made at the Conservatorie des Arts et Metiers, Paris.  The questions relating to the issuing of patents is at present entirely different from what it formerly was, for then several years would elapse before a new patent could be consulted in its printed and official form; only a certain number of these were ever issued in extenso. At present, all patents are to be published in full; their price is to be 1 franc, regardless of size.  The Government appropriation for the printing was $60,000 per annum; but of the 13,000 patents granted only 6,500 were hitherto printed.  At present the Imprimerie Nationale undertakes the printing of all the patents for the sum mentioned; this consequently means an annual savings to the French Government of  $60,000.  Another reform that has been instituted by the ex-Minister of Commerce is the question of annual dues on patents.  Since 1844 it has been the custom to consider as canceled any patent upon which the inventor had not promptly paid a given sum at a specified date; but now a delay of three months is allowed and a nominal fine is demanded.  There is yet another reform that was the outcome of M. Millerand’s exceptional energy; this relate to the industrial arts.  The hitherto existing laws were very contradictory; no one knew whether it was the rulings of 1793 or those of 1806 which were in vogue.  The difficulty has been overcome through the law of 1902, by which creators of artistic models and design are protected under the clauses readily understood.

Very truly,

LEWIS S. WARE”

Reference Data:

Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. 155, by Franklin Institute (Philadelphia PA) 1907, pages 394-5