(1)In any proceedings before the court or the comptroller in which the validity of a patent [F1may be ] put in issue the court or, as the case may be, the comptroller may, subject to section 76 below, allow the proprietor of the patent to amend the specification of the patent in such manner, and subject to such terms as to advertising the proposed amendment and as to costs, expenses or otherwise, as the court or comptroller thinks fit.
(2)A person may give notice to the court or the comptroller of his opposition to an amendment proposed by the proprietor of the patent under this section, and if he does so the court or the comptroller shall notify the proprietor and consider the opposition in deciding whether the amendment or any amendment should be allowed.
(3)An amendment of a specification of a patent under this section shall have effect and be deemed always to have had effect from the grant of the patent.
(4)Where an application for an order under this section is made to the court, the applicant shall notify the comptroller, who shall be entitled to appear and be heard and shall appear if so directed by the court.
[F2(5)In considering whether or not to allow an amendment proposed under this section, the court or the comptroller shall have regard to any relevant principles applicable under the European Patent Convention.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 75(1) substituted (1.1.2005) by Patents Act 2004 (c. 16), s. 17(1), Sch. 2 para. 19; S.I. 2004/3205, art. 2(k) (with art. 9)
F2S. 75(5) inserted (13.12.2007) by Patents Act 2004 (c. 16), ss. 2(5), 17(1); S.I. 2007/3396, art. 2(d)