The Patents Rules 2007

Translations U.K.

Translations U.K.

113.—(1) Where any document filed at the Patent Office, or sent to the comptroller, is in a language other than English or Welsh it must be accompanied by a translation into English of that document.

(2) But paragraph (1) does not apply to the following documents—

(a) where the documents filed to initiate an application for a patent include something which is or appears to be a description of the invention, the document containing that thing;

(b) a priority application;

(c) a copy of an application provided under section 15(10)(b)(ii);

(d) a copy of a specification of a European patent (UK) filed in connection with an application by the proprietor to amend the specification;

(e) a copy of an application for a European patent (UK) provided under section 81(2)(b)(ii);

(f) an international application for a patent (UK), where a translation of the application or an amendment to it is a necessary translation;

(g) a document referred to in paragraph (5).

(3) Where more than one copy of the document mentioned in paragraph (1) is filed or sent, a corresponding number of translations shall accompany it.

(4) Where a document to which paragraph (1) applies is not accompanied by a translation, the comptroller may, if he thinks fit, take no further action in relation to that document.

(5) In relation to an international application for a patent (UK), where any document which is in a language other than English or Welsh is—

(a) referred to in an International Search Report or International Preliminary Report on Patentability; or

(b) cited in an International Preliminary Examination Report,

and the relevant report is filed at the Patent Office, the comptroller may direct that a translation into English of that document be filed.

(6) Where a direction is given under paragraph (5) a translation of that document must be filed before the end of the period of two months [F1 beginning immediately after] the date on which the direction is given; otherwise the comptroller may, if he thinks fit, take no further action in relation to the application.

(7) Subject to rule 82(1)(b), where a patent application or any document related to such application is filed at the Patent Office or sent to the comptroller in Welsh, and is not accompanied by a translation into English, the comptroller must obtain such a translation.

(8) In this rule a reference to a document includes a reference to a part of a document; and in paragraph (5) “International Preliminary Examination Report”, “International Preliminary Report on Patentability” and “International Search Report” and have the same meaning as in rule 64.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in rule 113(6) substituted (1.10.2011) by The Patents (Amendment) Rules 2011 (S.I. 2011/2052), rules 1, 3, Sch. (with rule 4)

Translations in proceedings in relation to a European patent (UK) U.K.

114.—(1) Where—

(a) proceedings are started before the comptroller in relation to a European patent (UK); and

(b) the specification of that patent was published in French or German,

the person who starts those proceedings shall file at the Patent Office a translation into English of the specification.

(2) But paragraph (1) shall not apply where—

(a) a translation into English of the specification has been filed under section 77(6); or

(b) the comptroller directs that a translation is unnecessary.

(3) Where, in the course of such proceedings, leave is given to amend the specification of the patent, the proprietor shall file at the Patent Office a translation of the amendment into the language in which the specification of the patent was published.

(4) This rule applies to making a request for an opinion under section 74A as it applies to proceedings started before the comptroller.

Establishing the accuracy of translations U.K.

115.  If the comptroller has reasonable doubts about the accuracy of any translation of a document that has been filed at the Patent Office by any person in accordance with the Act or these Rules—

(a) he shall notify that person of the reasons for his doubts; and

(b) he may require that person to furnish evidence to establish that the translation is accurate,

and where that person fails to furnish evidence the comptroller may, if he thinks fit, take no further action in relation to that document.