WORLD TRADE IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
16April 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-1357)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS AND REGULATIONS
NOTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 63.2OFTHE AGREEMENT
Sweden
Thepresent document reproduces1thefollowing lawsandregulations, asnotified bySweden
under Article 63.2oftheAgreement (seedocument IP/N/1/SWE/1):
Page
- TheSwedish Patents Act(1967:837) 2
- Act(1994:234) Amending thePatents Act(1967:837) 34
- Act(1994:1511) Amending thePatents Act(1967:837) 36
1InEnglish onlyIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page2
THE SWEDISH PATENTS ACT
Translated intoEnglish
(ActNo.837of1967, asamended byActsNos.149of1978, 433of1983, 937
of1984, 233,1156 of1986, 1330 of1987, 296of1991, 1688 of1992 and1406
of1993)
TABLE OFCONTENTS
Sections
Chapter 1: General Provisions 1to6
Chapter II: TheProcessing ofSwedish Patent Cases 7to27
Chapter III: International Patent Applications 28to38
Chapter IV: TheExtent andTerm ofthePatent 39to40
Chapter V: Annual Fees 41to42
Chapter VI: Licenses, Assignments, etc. 43to50
Chapter VII: Termination ofthePatent, etc. 51to55
Chapter VIII: Obligation toGiveInformation 56
Chapter IX: Liability andObligation toPay
Compensation, etc. 57to70
Chapter X: Special Provisions 71to79
Chapter XI: European Patents 80to93
Provisions ofEntry intoForce andTransitionIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
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Chapter 1:General Provisions
1.Anyone whohasmade aninvention which issusceptible ofindustrial
application, orhissuccessor intitle,isentitled pursuant toChapters ItoXof
thisActtoobtain, upon application, apatent fortheinvention inthiscountry
andthereby acquire anexclusive righttoexploit theinvention commercially.
Provisions concerning European patents aregiven inChapter XI.
Thefollowing shallnever beregarded asaninvention: thatwhich ismerely
(1)adiscovery, scientific theory ormathematical method;
(2)anaesthetic creation;
(3)ascheme, ruleormethod forperforming mental acts,forplaying games
orfordoing business, oraprogram forcomputers;
(4)apresentation ofinformation.
Methods forsurgical ortherapeutic treatment ordiagnostic methods,
practised onhumans oranimals, shallalsonotberegarded asinventions. This
provision doesnot,however, prevent thegranting ofpatents forproducts,
including substances andcompositions ofsubstances, foruseinmethods ofthis
type.
Patents shallnotbegranted for
(1)inventions theuseofwhich would becontrary tomorality orpublic
order;
(2)plant oranimal varieties oressentially biological processes forthe
production ofplants oranimals; patents may, however, begranted for
microbiological processes andproducts resulting from suchprocesses.
2.Patents areonlygranted forinventions which arenewinrelation towhat
wasknown before thefiling dateofthepatent application andwhich alsodiffer
essentially therefrom.
Everything made available tothepublic inwriting, inlectures, bypublic use
orotherwise shallbeconsidered asknown. Alsothecontents ofapatent
application filedinthiscountry before saidfiling dateshallbeconsidered as
known ifthatapplication becomes available tothepublic pursuant toSection 22.
Thecondition inthefirstparagraph thattheinvention must differ essentially
from whatwasknown before thefiling dateofthepatent application doesnot,
however, apply inrespect ofthecontents ofsuchapplication.
Provisions stating that,when applying thesecond paragraph, anapplication
referred toinChapters IIIorXIincertain cases hasthesame effect asapatent
application filedinthiscountry, aretobefound inSections 29,38and87.
Thestipulation inthefirstparagraph thattheinvention shallbenewdoes
notprevent thegranting ofapatent foraknown substance oraknown
composition ofsubstances foruseinamethod referred toinSection 1,third
paragraph, provided ofthesubstance orcomposition isnotknown inmethods
ofthistype.
Apatent maybegranted despite thefactthattheinvention wasmade
available tothepublic within sixmonths prior tothefiling oftheapplication,
(1)inconsequence ofevident abuse inrelation totheapplicant orhis
predecessor intitle,or
(2)because theinvention wasdisplayed bytheapplicant orhispredecessor
intitleatanofficial, orofficially recognized, international exhibition falling
within theterms oftheConvention onInternational Exhibitions signed atParis
onNovember 22,1928.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page4
3.Theexclusive rightconferred byapatent implies, withtheexceptions
stated below, thatnoone,without theproprietor 'sconsent, mayusethe
invention by
(1)making, offering, putting onthemarket orusing aproduct protected by
thepatent orimporting orpossessing suchproduct forthese purposes;
(2)using aprocess which isprotected bythepatent or,knowing, oritbeing
obvious from thecircumstances thattheuseoftheprocess isprohibited without
theconsent oftheproprietor ofthepatent, offering theprocess foruseherein
Sweden;
(3)offering, putting onthemarket, orusing products made byaprocess
protected bythepatent orimporting orpossessing theproduct forthese
purposes.
Theexclusive rightalsoimplies thatnoone,without theconsent ofthe
proprietor ofthepatent, exploit theinvention byoffering orsupplying aperson
whoisnotentitled toexploit theinvention withsuchmeans forcarrying outthe
invention hereinSweden which relates toanessential element oftheinvention,
iftheperson offering orsupplying themeans knows, oritisobvious from the
circumstances, thatsaidmeans aresuited andintended foruseincarrying out
theinvention. Ifthemeans areagenerally available commercial product, this
paragraph onlyapplies iftheperson offering orsupplying themeans attempts
toinduce thereceiver tocommit actsreferred tointhefirstparagraph. In
applying theprovisions ofthisparagraph, persons using theinvention ina
manner specified inparagraph three, points (1),(3)or(4),shallnotbe
considered asentitled toexploit theinvention.
Thefollowing areexcepted from theexclusive right:
(1)usewhich isnotcommercial;
(2)useofaproduct protected bythepatent which isputonthemarket
within theEuropean Economic Area bytheproprietor ofthepatent orwithhis
consent:
(3)useoftheinvention forexperiments which relate totheinvention itself;
(4)preparation inapharmacy ofamedicine inaccordance withaphysi-
cian'sprescription inindividual cases oractswiththemedicine soprepared.
4.Anyone who, atthetimewhen theapplication forapatent wasfiled, was
using theinvention commercially inthiscountry may, notwithstanding the
atent, continue suchusewhile retaining itsgeneral character, provided theuse
didnotconstitute evident abuse inrelation totheapplicant orhispredecessor
intitle. Such rightofuseshallalsobedueoncorresponding conditions to
anyone whohadmade substantial preparations forcommercial useofthe
invention inthiscountry.
Therightaccording tothepreceding paragraph canonlybepassed toothers
together withthebusiness inwhich itoriginated orinwhich theusewas
intended totakeplace.
5.Notwithstanding thegrant ofapatent, aninvention maybeutilized ona
foreign vessel, aircraft, orother foreign means ofcommunication foritsown
needs when temporarily entering thiscountry inregular traffic orotherwise.
TheGovernment maydecree that,notwithstanding thegrant ofapatent,
spare parts andaccessories foraircraft maybeimported intothiscountry and
usedherefortherepair ofaircraft ofaforeign country inwhich corresponding
privileges aregranted toSwedish aircraft.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
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6.Anapplication forapatent foraninvention which wasdisclosed, within
twelve months prior tothefiling date, inanapplication forapatent inthis
country orforapatent, inventor 'scertificate orutility model protection ina
foreign country adhering totheParis Convention fortheProtection ofIndustrial
Property ofMarch 20,1883, shall, when applying Section 2,first, second and
fourth paragraphs, andSection 4,bedeemed tohavebeenfiledsimultaneously
withtheearlier application iftheapplicant sodemands. Such priority mayalso
beenjoyed from anapplication forprotection which doesnotrelate toacountry
adhering totheConvention, ifcorresponding priority from Swedish applications
isgranted where theearlier application wasfiledandiflegislation inforce there
essentially corresponds totheConvention.
TheGovernment or,astheGovernment determines, thePatent Authority,
shallstipulate inwhatorder aclaim topriority shallbepresented andwhat
documents must bepresented insupport ofsuchclaim. Ifthese stipulations are
notobserved, priority shallnotbeenjoyed.
Chapter II:TheProcessing ofSwedish Patent Cases
7.ThePatent Authority inthisActrefers tothePatent Authority inthis
country unless otherwise stated. ThePatent Authority inthiscountry isthe
Patent andRegistration Office.
8.Anapplication forapatent must bemade inwriting andfiledwiththe
Patent Authority or,inthecasereferred toinChapter III,withapatent authority
inaforeign country orwithaninternational organization.
Theapplication shallcontain adescription oftheinvention, alsocomprising
drawings ifsucharenecessary, andadistinct statement ofwhatissought tobe
protected bythepatent (patent claims). Thefactthattheinvention relates toa
chemical compound doesnotimply thataspecified usemust bedisclosed inthe
patent claim. Thedescription shallbesoclear astoenable aperson skilled in
thearttocarry outtheinvention withtheguidance thereof. Aninvention which
relates toamicrobiological process oraproduct ofsuchaprocess shall, inthose
cases specified inSection 8a,beconsidered tobedisclosed withsufficient
clarity onlyiftherequirements insaidsection arealsofulfilled.
Theapplication shallalsocontain anabstract ofthedescription andclaims.
Theabstract shallmerely serve astechnical information anditmaynotbetaken
intoaccount foranyother purpose.
Theinventor 'sname shallbestated intheapplication. Ifapatent isapplied
forbysomeone other thantheinventor, theapplicant shallprove histitletothe
invention.
Theapplicant shallpayaprescribed application fee.Fortheapplication, a
prescribed annual feemust alsobepaidforeachfeeyearbeginning before the
application isfinally decided on.
Afeeyearaccording tothisActspans oneyearandiscounted thefirsttime
from thedaywhen theapplication wasfiledorshallbeconsidered tohavebeen
filed, andthereafter from thecorresponding dayaccording tothecalendar.
8a.Ifinthecarrying outofaninvention amicroorganism istobeused
which isneither available tothepublic norcanbedescribed intheapplication
documents soastoenable aperson skilled inthearttocarry outtheinvention
withtheguidance thereof, aculture oftheorganism shallbedeposited nolaterIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page6
thanthedateoffiling oftheapplication. Theculture shallthereafter be
continuously ondeposit sothathewhoisentitled under thisActtoreceive
samples from theculture, canreceive hissample delivered inSweden. The
Government specifies where deposits maybemade.
Ifadeposited culture ceases tobeviable orifsamples from theculture
cannot besupplied forother reasons, itmaybereplaced byanewculture ofthe
same organism within thetimeperiod andotherwise inthemanner prescribed
bytheGovernment. Ifthishasbeendone, thenewdeposit shallbeconsidered
ashaving beenmade onthedaywhen theearlier deposit wasmade.
9.Iftheapplicant sodemands andpaysthespecial fee,thePatent Autho-
rity,under those conditions determined bytheGovernment, shallallow the
application tobecome subject tosuchnovelty search byanInternational
Searching Authority asreferred toinArticle 15(5) ofthePatent Cooperation
Treaty doneatWashington onJune19,1970.
10.Patents fortwoormore mutually independent inventions maynotbe
applied forinasingle application.
11.Ifapatent issought foraninvention disclosed inapatent application
filedearlier bytheapplicant andnotfinally decided upon, thelaterapplication
shall, onconditions laiddown bytheGovernment, beregarded asfiledatthe
timewhen thedocuments disclosing theinvention were filedwiththePatent
Authority, iftheapplicant sodemands.
12.Anapplicant whoisnotdomiciled inthiscountry shallhaveanagent
residing herewhoshallbeentitled torepresent himinallmatters concerning the
application.
13.Theapplication forapatent must notbeamended soastoclaim protec-
tionforsubject matter which didnotappear intheapplication atthetimewhen
itwasfiledorshallbeconsidered tohavebeenfiledpursuant toSection 14.
14.Iftheapplicant amends theapplication within sixmonths from thedate
offiling, theapplication shallbeconsidered tohavebeenfiledatthetimewhen
theamendment wasmade, iftheapplicant sorequests.
Arequest under thefirstparagraph must bemade within twoyears from the
dateoffiling oftheapplication. Such arequest canbemade onlyonceand
cannot bewithdrawn.
15.Iftheapplicant hasnotcomplied withtherequirements regarding the
application, orifthePatent Authority finds other obstacles totheallowance of
theapplication, theapplicant shallbenotified thereof andberequested within
aspecified termtorender astatement ortomake corrections. ThePatent
Authority may, however, without consulting theapplicant, make suchchanges
intheabstract asitdeems necessary.
Iftheapplicant fails, within thestipulated term, torender astatement orto
takemeasures toovercome theobjections raised theapplication shallbe
dismissed. Notice ofthisshallbegiven intheofficial action.
Adismissed application willbereinstated if,within fourmonths from the
expiration ofthespecified term, theapplicant submits astatement ortakes
measures toovercome theobjections and,within thesame term, paystheIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page7
prescribed resuming fee.
Iftheapplicant doesnotpaytheannual feeaccording toSections 8,41and
42,theapplication shallbedismissed without apreceding action. Suchadismissed
application cannot bereinstated.
16.If,aftertheapplicant hassubmitted hisstatement, there arestill
obstacles totheallowance oftheapplication, andtheapplicant hashadan
opportunity tosubmit astatement ontheobstacles, theapplication shallbe
rejected, unless there arefound reasons togivetheapplicant another official
action.
17.Ifanybody claims before thePatent Authority thattheproper titletothe
invention restswithhimandnotwiththeapplicant, andifthecaseisdeemed
uncertain, thePatent Authority maydirect himtobring action before aCourt of
lawwithin acertain timeattheriskoftheclaim being disregarded inthefurther
examination ofthepatent application.
Ifalitigation regarding theproper titletotheinvention ispending before
theCourt, thepatent application maybedeclared inabeyance untilthelitigation
isfinally settled bytheCourt.
18.Ifanybody proves tothesatisfaction ofthePatent Authority thatthe
proper titletotheinvention restswithhimandnotwiththeapplicant, thePatent
Authority shalltransfer theapplication tohim,ifhesorequests. Thetransferee
shallpayanewapplication fee.
Ifarequest fortransfer hasbeenmade, theapplication maynotbedis-
missed, rejected orallowed untiltherequest hasbeenfinally decided upon.
19.Iftheapplication iscomplete andnoobstacles toapatent arefound, the
Patent Authority shallnotify theapplicant thatapatent canbegranted.
Within twomonths ofthedateofnotification, theapplicant shallpaya
fixed grant fee.Indefault ofthis,theapplication shallbedismissed. The
processing ofadismissed application shallberesumed if,within fourmonths
aftertheexpiration ofthetwomonths, theapplicant paysthegrant feeanda
fixed resuming fee.
Ifapatent issought byaninventor whohasconsiderable difficulty in
paying thegrant fee,thePatent Authority mayexempt himfrom thisobligation,
ifhemakes awritten request tothateffect within twomonths ofthedateof
notification. IfthePatent Authority rejects theinventor 'srequest, afeepaid
within twomonths thereafter shallbeconsidered asbeing paidwithin theproper
timelimit.
20.Iftheapplicant hasfulfilled therequirements ofSection 19andthere
isstillnoobstacle toapatent, thePatent Authority shallgrant theapplication.
Thedecision shallbeannounced.
When thedecision togrant thepatent application hasbeenannounced, a
patent hasbeengranted. Agranted patent shallberecorded intheRegister of
Patents keptbythePatent Authority. Apatent letter shallalsobeissued.
After thepatent hasbeengranted, theclaims maynotbeamended sothat
thescope ofpatent protection isbroadened.
21.From thedaywhen thepatent isgranted, apatent specification shallbe
available atthePatent Authority. Thepatent specification shallcontain aIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page8
description, patent claims andanabstract aswellasgiving thepatent proprietor
andtheinventor.
22.From thedaywhen thepatent isgranted, thedocuments inthecaseshall
beavailable toanyone.
When eighteen months havepassed from thefiling dateofthepatent
application, or,ifpriority isclaimed, thedatefrom which priority isclaimed,
thedocuments, iftheyhavenotalready beenmade available pursuant tothefirst
paragraph, shallbemade available toanyone. However, iftheapplication has
beendismissed orrejected, thedocuments shallbemade available onlyifthe
applicant requests thattheapplication beresumed, appeals, ormakes arequest
under Section 72or73.
Attherequest oftheapplicant, thedocuments shallbemade available
earlier thanwhatissetoutinthefirstandsecond paragraphs.
When thedocuments become available pursuant tothesecond orthird
paragraph, thisfactshallbeannounced.
Ifadocument contains abusiness secret anddoesnotconcern theinvention
forwhich apatent issought orhasbeengranted, thePatent Authority, upon
request andifthere arespecial reasons forthis,mayorder thatthedocument
shallnotbemade available. Ifsucharequest hasbeenmade, thedocument shall
notbemade available untiltherequest hasbeenrefused byadecision which has
taken legaleffect.
Ifaculture ofamicroorganism hasbeendeposited according toSection 8a,
anyperson hastherighttoobtain asample from theculture afterthedocuments
havebecome available toanyone inaccordance withthefirst, second orthird
paragraph. Thisdoesnotmean, however, thatsamples shallbeissued toanyone
whoinconsequence ofprovisions inalaworother ordinance maynothandle
thedeposited microorganism. Nordoesthismean thatsamples shallbeissued
toanyone whose handling ofthesample canbeassumed toinvolve anevident
riskinviewoftheharmful properties oftheorganism.
Until thepatent hasbeengranted orthepatent application hasbeenfinally
decided onwithout resulting inapatent, iftheapplicant sorequests, despite the
provisions ofthesixth paragraph, firstsentence, samples from thedeposit may
onlybeissued toaspecial expert. TheGovernment prescribes within whattime
period sucharequest maybemade andwhomaybecalled onasanexpert by
aperson wishing toobtain asample.
Aperson wishing toobtain asample shallmake awritten request therefor
withthePatent Authority andrender acommitment totheeffect prescribed by
theGovernment toprevent themisuse ofthesample. Ifsamples maybeissued
onlytoaspecial expert, thecommitment must instead berendered bysaid
expert.
23.IfthePatent Authority dismisses orrejects anapplication which has
become available toanyone, thisdecision shallbeannounced when ithastaken
legaleffect.
24.Anyone mayfileanopposition toagranted patent. Anopposition shall
bemade inwriting withthePatent Authority within ninemonths from theday
onwhich thepatent wasgranted.
ThePatent Authority shallinform theproprietor ofthepatent ofthe
opposition andgivehimanopportunity tomake astatement. Theprovisions of
Section 12shallalsoapply tothepatent proprietor during theoppositionIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page9
process.
Iftheopposition iswithdrawn, theopposition process maystillbecom-
pleted ifthere areparticular reasons.
25.ThePatent Authority shallrevoke thepatent afteropposition ifit
1.wasgranted despite thefactthattheconditions ofSections 1and2are
notfulfilled,
2.relates toaninvention which isnotsoclearly disclosed thataperson
skilled intheartcancarry itoutwiththeguidance thereof, or
3.encompasses matter which wasnotevident from theapplication asfiled.
ThePatent Authority shallreject theopposition ifthere isnoobstacle
pursuant tothefirstparagraph tothemaintenance ofthepatent.
Ifduring theopposition process theproprietor ofthepatent hasmade such
amendments thatthere isnoobstacle pursuant tothefirstparagraph tothe
maintenance ofthepatent initsamended wording, thePatent Authority shall
declare thepatent tobemaintained initsamended wording.
When thedecision ofthePatent Authority concerning anopposition has
taken legaleffect, itshallbeannounced. Ifthedecision involves amendment of
thepatent, anewpatent specification shallbeavailable atthePatent Authority
andanewpatent letter shallbeissued.
26.Afinaldecision bythePatent Authority concerning anapplication for
apatent maybeappealed bytheapplicant ifthedecision isnotinhisfavour.
Afinaldecision concerning anopposition against apatent isappealable bythe
proprietor ofthepatent andbytheopposer, ifthedecision isadverse tothe
party wishing toappeal. Iftheopposer withdraws hisappeal, itmaystillbe
considered ifthere areparticular reasons.
Adecision whereby arequest forreinstatement under Section 15,third
paragraph, orSection 19,second paragraph, hasbeenrejected orarequest for
transfer under Section 18hasbeengranted maybeappealed bytheapplicant.
Adecision rejecting arequest fortransfer under Section 18maybeappealed by
theparty whomade therequest.
Adecision rejecting arequest foranorder according toSection 22,fifth
paragraph, maybeappealed bytheonewhomade therequest.
Stipulations concerning appeals against decisions pursuant toSection 42,72
or73aregiven inSection 75.
27.Appeals according toSection 26aremade withtheCourt ofPatent
Appeals within twomonths ofthedateofthedecision.
Afinaldecision bytheCourt ofPatent Appeals maybeappealed against to
theSupreme Administrative Court within twomonths from thedateof
decision. Theappeal maynotrelate toanyother patent claims thanthe
considered intheappealed decision. Inother respects, therules inSections 35-
37oftheCode ofAdministrative Procedure (1971:291) concerning appeals
against decisions bytheAdministrative Court ofAppeal shallapply. Decisions
bytheCourt ofPatent Appeals shallstatethatspecial leave isrequired for
consideration ofappeals totheSupreme Administrative Court andthegrounds
onwhich suchleave isgranted.
Theprovisions ofSection 22,fifthparagraph, shallapply todocuments
which aresubmitted totheCourt ofPatent Appeals ortheSupreme Admi-
nistrative Court.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
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Chapter III.International Patent Appeals
28.Aninternational patent application refers toanapplication made
pursuant tothePatent Cooperation Treaty doneatWashington onJune19,1970.
Aninternational patent application shallbefiledwithapatent authority or
international organization which isauthorized according tothePatent Coope-
ration Treaty anditsRegulations toreceive suchapplications (receiving Office).
TheSwedish Patent Authority shallbeareceiving Office inaccordance withthe
stipulations bytheGovernment. Theapplicant shallpaytheprescribed feefor
aninternational patent application which isfiledwiththeSwedish Patent
Authority.
Theprovisions ofSection 29to38apply tointernational patent applications
designating Sweden. If,however, aEuropean patent forSweden isapplied for
bysuchapplication, Chapter XIshallapply.
29.Aninternational patent application which thereceiving Office has
accorded aninternational filing dateshallhavethesame effect inthiscountry
asaSwedish patent application filedonthesame day. Theprovisions ofSection
2,second paragraph, second sentence, however, shallonlyapply toan
application which hasbeenpursued inaccordance withSection 31.
30.Aninternational patent application shallbeconsidered tobewithdrawn
asregards Sweden inthose cases referred toinArticle 24(1)(i) and(ii)ofthe
Patent Cooperation Treaty.
31.Iftheapplicant desires topursue aninternational patent application for
Sweden, heshallwithin 20months from theinternational filing date, orif
priority isclaimed, thedatefrom which priority isclaimed, filewiththePatent
Authority atranslation intoSwedish oftheinternational patent application tothe
extent required bytheGovernment or,iftheapplication iswritten inSwedish,
acopyoftheapplication. Theapplicant shall, within thesame timeperiod, pay
theprescribed feetothePatent Authority.
Iftheapplicant hasdemanded thattheinternational application besubjected
tointernational preliminary examination andifhehas,within 19months from
thedategiven inthefirstparagraph, declared hisintention, inaccordance with
thePatent Cooperation Treaty anditsRegulations, tousetheresult ofthe
international preliminary examination inapplying forapatent forSweden, he
shallfulfill therequirements inthefirstparagraph within 30months from said
date.
Iftheapplicant haspaidtheprescribed feewithin thetimelimitstipulated
inthefirstorsecond paragraph, therequired translation orcopymaybefiled
within anadditional timelimitoftwomonths, provided thataprescribed
additional feeispaidwithin thelatter timelimit.
Iftheapplicant doesnotobserve therequirements inthissection, the
application shallbeconsidered tobewithdrawn asregards Sweden.
32.Iftheapplicant withdraws thedemand forinternational preliminary
examination orthedeclaration ofhisintention tousetheresult ofsuch
examination inapplying forapatent forSweden, theinternational patent
application shallbeconsidered withdrawn asregards Sweden, unless the
withdrawal ismade before theendofthetimelimitstipulated inSection 31,
firstparagraph, andtheapplicant alsopursues theapplication within thetimeIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
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limitstipulated inSection 31,firstorthirdparagraph.
33.Ifaninternational patent application hasbeenpursued inaccordance
withSection 31,thenChapter IIapplies inrespect oftheapplication andits
processing unless otherwise specified inthisSection orinSections 34to37.
Only attherequest oftheapplicant, however, maytheapplication betaken up
forexamination before theendofthetimelimitapplicable according toSection
31,firstorsecond paragraph.
Theobligation according toSection 12tohaveanagent residing hereshall
firstapply when theapplication maybetaken upforexamination.
Theprovisions ofSection 22,second andthirdparagraphs, become appli-
cable evenbefore theapplication hasbeenpursued, assoonastheapplicant has
complied withtheobligation under Section 31tofileatranslation ofthe
application or,iftheapplication iswritten inSwedish, assoonastheapplicant
hasfiledacopyoftheapplication withthePatent Authority.
Forinternational patent applications, inapplying Sections 48,56and60,the
statements therein thatthedocuments intheapplication filehavebecome
available according toSection 22shallinstead mean thatthedocuments have
become available according toSection 22,thirdparagraph.
Ifthepatent application fulfills therequirements concerning form and
content prescribed inthePatent Cooperation Treaty anditsRegulations, itshall
beaccepted inthese respects.
34.Foraninternational patent application, thePatent Authority maynot
grant apatent ormake adecision toreject before theendofthetimelimit
stipulated bytheGovernment, unless theapplicant agrees toanearlier ruling on
theapplication.
35.Foraninternational application, thePatent Authority maynot,without
theconsent oftheapplicant, grant apatent ormake theapplication publicly
available before ithasbeenpublished bytheInternational Bureau oftheWorld
Intellectual Property Organization ortwenty months havepassed from the
international filing dateor,ifpriority isclaimed, thedatefrom which priority
isclaimed.
36.Ifapartofaninternational patent application wasnotsubjected to
international search orinternational preliminary examination because the
application wasfound toencompass mutually independent inventions and
because theapplicant didnotpay,within theprescribed timelimit, theadditional
feeaccording tothePatent Cooperation Treaty, thePatent Authority shall
determine whether saidfinding wascorrect. IfthePatent Authority determines
thatthefinding wascorrect, thatpartoftheapplication which wasnotsubjected
tosuchsearch orexamination shallbeconsidered withdrawn from thePatent
Authority iftheapplicant doesnotpaytheprescribed feetothePatent Authority
within twomonths from when thePatent Authority mailed tohimnotification
ofitsdecision. IfthePatent Authority determines thatthefinding wasnot
correct, thePatent Authority shallproceed withtheexamination ofthe
application initsentirety.
Adecision pursuant tothefirstparagraph, whereby thePatent Authority has
determined thatthepatent application encompasses mutually independent
inventions, maybeappealed bytheapplicant. Theprovisions ofSection 27,first
andsecond paragraphs apply.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page12
IftheCourt finds thedecision ofthePatent Authority tobecorrect, thetime
limitforpayment ofsuchfeeasreferred tointhefirstparagraph, second
sentence, shallbecomputed from thedatewhen thePatent Authority mailed to
theapplicant notification ofthefinaldecision oftheCourt.
37.Ifapartofaninternational patent application hasnotbeensubjected to
international preliminary examination because theapplicant restricted theclaims
afterbeing invited bytheauthority forsuchexamination toeither restrict the
claims orpayadditional fees,thatpartoftheapplication which hasnotbeen
examined shallbeconsidered withdrawn atthePatent Authority iftheapplicant
doesnotpaytheprescribed feewithin twomonths afterthePatent Authority
mailed tohimanotification tothateffect.
38.Ifthereceiving Office hasrefused toaccord aninternational patent
application aninternational filing dateorhasdeclared thattheapplication shall
beconsidered withdrawn orthattherequest thattheapplication shalldesignate
Sweden shallbeconsidered withdrawn, thePatent Authority shall, attherequest
oftheapplicant, review saiddecision. Thesame shallapply inrespect ofa
decision bytheInternational Bureau thattheapplication shallbeconsidered
withdrawn.
Apetition forreview pursuant tothefirstparagraph shallbefiledwiththe
International Bureau within thetimelimitstipulated bytheGovernment. Within
thesame timelimit, theapplicant shallfilewiththePatent Authority a
translation oftheapplication totheextent stipulated bytheGovernment andpay
theprescribed application fee.
IfthePatent Authority finds thatthedecision ofthereceiving Office or
International Bureau wasincorrect, thePatent Authority shallprocess the
application according toChapter II.Ifaninternational filing datehasnotbeen
accorded bythereceiving Office, theapplication shallbeconsidered tohave
beenfiledonthedatewhich thePatent Authority deems should havebeen
accorded astheinternational filing date. Iftheapplication fulfills therequire-
ments astoform andcontent prescribed inthePatent Cooperation Treaty and
itsRegulations, itshallbeaccepted inthese respects.
Theprescription inSection 2,second paragraph, second sentence, shall
apply toanapplication which hasbeentaken upforprocessing pursuant tothe
thirdparagraph iftheapplication becomes generally available pursuant to
Section 22.
Chapter IV:TheExtent andTerm ofthePatent
39.Theextent ofpatent protection shallbedetermined bythepatent claims.
Inconstruing thepatent claims guidance maybetaken from thedescription.
40.Agranted patent maybekeptinforce untiltwenty years havepassed
from thedaywhen thepatent application wasfiled.
Forpatents, aprescribed annual feeshallbepaidforeachfeeyear
beginning afterthegrant. Ifthepatent hasbeengranted before annual feesfor
thepatent application havebegun tobecome dueunder Section 41,the
proprietor ofthepatent shallinanycase, when theannual feeforthepatent
becomes dueforpayment forthefirsttime, payaswelltheannual feesforfee
years beginning prior togrant ofthepatent.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page13
Theprovisions concerning supplementary protection formedicinal products
aretobefound inChapter XIII.
Chapter V:Payment ofAnnual Fees
41.Theannual feeshallbedueforpayment onthelastdayofthecalendar
month during which thefeeyearbegins. Theannual feesforthefirsttwofee
years, however, shallnotbedueuntilthefeeforthethirdfeeyearisdue.
Annual feesmaynotbepaidearlier thansixmonths before becoming duefor
payment.
Forsuchalaterapplication asisreferred toinSection 11,theannual fees
forfeeyears which havebegun before thedateonwhich thelaterapplication
wasfiledorwhich begin within twomonths from saiddate, shallinnocasebe
duebefore twomonths havepassed from saiddate. Foraninternational patent
application, theannual feesforfeeyears which havebegun before thedate
when theapplication waspursued inaccordance withSection 31orwastaken
upforprocessing pursuant toSection 38orwhich begin within twomonths
from saiddate, shallnotinanycasebeduebefore twomonths havepassed
from thedatewhen theapplication wasprosecuted orwastaken upfor
processing.
Anannual fee,together withtheprescribed increase, maybepaidwithin six
months aftertheduedate.
42.Iftheinventor istheapplicant orproprietor ofthepatent andifhehas
considerable difficulty inpaying theannual fees,thePatent Authority maygive
himarespite forpayment ifhemakes arequest tothateffect notlaterthan
when theannual feesbecome dueforthefirsttime. Respites maybegiven for
uptothree years atatime, butatmost untilthree years havepassed from the
grant ofthepatent. Arequest forextended respite must bemade before the
given respite hasexpired.
Ifarequest forrespite orextended respite isrefused, afeepaidwithin two
months thereafter shallbeconsidered tohavebeenpaidontime.
Annual fees,forthepayment ofwhich respite hasbeengiven under thefirst
paragraph, maybepaidtogether withthesame increase asreferred toinSection
41,thirdparagraph, within sixmonths afterthetimeuntilwhich respite hasbeen
obtained.
Chapter VI:Licenses, Assignments, etc.
43.Iftheproprietor ofapatent hasgranted another party therighttoexploit
aninvention commercially (license), thelicensee mayassign hisrighttoothers
onlyifanagreement hasbeenmade tothateffect.
44.Ifapatent hasbeentransferred toanother party oralicense hasbeen
granted, thisshall, upon request, berecorded intheRegister ofPatents.
Ifitisproved thatalicense recorded intheRegister hasceased tobevalid,
therecords ofthelicense shallbecancelled from theRegister.
Theprovisions ofthefirstandsecond paragraphs shallapply correspon-
dingly tocompulsory licenses andrights referred toinSection 53,second
paragraph.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page14
Inlawsuits orother legalcases concerning apatent, thatparty shallbe
regarded astheproprietor ofthepatent whowaslastentered intheRegister of
Patents insuchcapacity.
45.Ifthree years havepassed since thepatent wasgranted and,inaddition,
fouryears havepassed since thepatent application wasfiledandtheinvention
isnotworked inthiscountry toareasonable extent, anyone whodesires towork
theinvention inthiscountry mayobtain acompulsory license tothateffect if
acceptable excuses forthefailure towork theinvention arelacking.
Oncondition ofreciprocity, theGovernment maydecree thatinapplying the
firstparagraph, working inaforeign country shallbeconsidered equivalent to
working inthiscountry.
46.Theproprietor ofapatent foraninvention, theexploitation ofwhich is
prevented byapatent owned byanother party, mayobtain acompulsory license
toexploit theinvention protected thereby ifthisisreasonable inviewofthe
importance ofthefirst-named invention orforother particular reasons.
Theproprietor ofapatent forwhich acompulsory license hasbeengranted
according tothefirstparagraph mayobtain acompulsory license toexploit the
other invention, unless there areparticular reasons tothecontrary.
47.When required bypublic interests ofextreme importance anyone who
desires tomake commercial useofaninvention forwhich another party holds
apatent mayobtain acompulsory license tothateffect.
48.Anyperson whointhiscountry wascommercially exploiting an
invention which isthesubject ofapatent application, when theapplication
documents weremade available inaccordance withSection 22,shallbeentitled,
iftheapplication matures intoapatent, toobtain acompulsory license forthe
saiduseifveryspecial reasons speak initsfavour andifhehadnoknowledge
oftheapplication andhadnotreasonably beenabletoobtain suchknowledge.
Under corresponding conditions suchrightshallalsobegranted toanyone who
hasmade substantial preparations forcommercial exploitation oftheinvention
inthiscountry. Such compulsory license mayalsoapply inrespect ofaperiod
oftimebefore thepatent wasgranted.
49.Acompulsory license maybegranted onlytoaparty whomaybe
presumed tohaveresources toutilize theinvention inanacceptable manner and
inaccordance withthelicense.
Acompulsory license shallnotprevent theproprietor ofthepatent himself
fromutilizing theinvention orfromgranting licenses. Acompulsory license can
onlybetransferred toothers together withthebusiness inwhich itisutilized or
isintended tobeutilized.
50.Compulsory licenses shallbegranted bythecourt, which shallalso
decide towhatextent theinvention maybeutilized andshallestablish the
remuneration andother terms ofthelicense. When substantially changed
circumstances callforit,theCourt may, onrequest, revoke thelicense orlay
down newterms therefor.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page15
Chapter VII:Termination ofthePatent, etc.
51.Ifanannual feeforapatent isnotpaidpursuant totheprovisions of
Sections 40,41and42,thepatent shalllapse asofthebeginning ofthefeeyear
forwhich thefeehasnotbeenpaid.
52.Ifanaction isbrought tothateffect, theCourt shalldeclare thepatent
invalid, if
1)thepatent wasgranted inspiteofthefactthattheconditions ofSections
1and2arenotfulfilled.
2)thepatent relates toaninvention thedescription ofwhich isnotsuffici-
ently clear toenable aperson skilled inthearttocarry outtheinvention with
theguidance thereof,
3)thepatent comprises subject matter notappearing intheapplication as
filed, or
4)thescope ofpatent protection hasbeenextended afterthegrant ofthe
patent.
Apatent shallnotbedeclared invalid onthegrounds thattheonewhohas
obtained thepatent wasonlyentitled toacertain share thereof.
Except asprovided forinthefourth paragraph, court action maybebrought
byanyone whosuffers damage from thepatent and,ifcalled forbythepublic
interest, bythepublic authority designated bytheGovernment.
Anaction brought onthegrounds thatapatent hasbeengranted toaparty
other thantheonewhoisentitled toobtain thepatent under Section 1canonly
bebrought bytheonewhoclaims tobesoentitled. Anaction shallbebrought
within oneyearafterobtaining knowledge ofthegrant ofthepatent andofother
factsonwhich theaction isbased. Iftheproprietor ofthepatent wasingood
faithwhen thepatent wasgranted orwhen itwasassigned tohim,theaction
cannot bebrought laterthanthree years afterthegrant ofthepatent.
53.Ifapatent hasbeengranted toaparty other thantheonewhoisentitled
tothepatent according toSection 1,theCourt, upon anaction brought bythe
onewhoisentitled tothepatent, shalltransfer thepatent tohim. With respect
tothetimewithin which theaction shallbebrought, theregulations inSection
52,fourth paragraph, shallapply.
Iftheparty whoisdeprived ofthepatent hasingood faithbegun tousethe
invention commercially inthiscountry ormade substantial preparations therefor,
heshallbeentitled, against areasonable remuneration andonother reasonable
terms, tocontinue theusealready begun ortoimplement theprepared usewhile
retaining itsgeneral character. Under corresponding conditions suchrights shall
alsobeduetoholders oflicenses recorded intheRegister ofPatents.
Rights under thesecond paragraph canonlybetransferred toothers together
withthebusiness inwhich theywere usedorinwhich wasintended touse
them.
54.Iftheproprietor ofapatent renounces thepatent inwriting tothePatent
Authority, theAuthority shalldeclare thepatent terminated.
Ifthepatent isseized fordebtorifthere isalitigation pending forthe
transfer ofthepatent, thepatent maynotbedeclared terminated aslongasthe
seizure iseffective oruntilthelitigation hasbeenfinally settled.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page16
55.When apatent haslapsed orbeendeclared terminated, orbeendeclared
invalid ortransferred byajudgment which hastaken legaleffect, thePatent
Authority shallannounce this.
Chapter VIII: Obligation toGiveInformation
56.Ifapatent applicant citestheapplication against another party before
thedocuments intheapplication filehavebecome available according toSection
22,heshallbeobliged, upon request, toconsent togivesaidparty access tothe
documents. Ifthepatent application includes adeposit ofaculture ofa
microorganism asreferred toinSection 8a,theconsent shallalsoencompass the
righttoobtain asample oftheculture. Theprovisions ofSection 22,sixth
paragraph, second andthirdsentences, aswellastheseventh andeighth
paragraphs, apply when someone desires toobtain asample onthebasis ofsuch
consent.
Anyone whoindicates, either byaddressing himself directly toanother, or
inadvertisements, orbyinscription onthegoods ortheirpackaging, orinany
other way, thatapatent hasbeenapplied fororgranted, without atthesame
timegiving theserial number oftheapplication orthepatent, shallbeobliged,
upon request, toprovide saidnumber without delay. Ifitisnotstated expressly
thatapatent hasbeenapplied fororgranted, butcircumstances areliable to
create theimpression thatthisisthecase, thenupon request, information asto
whether apatent hasbeenapplied fororgranted shallbegiven without delay.
Chapter IX:Liability andObligation toPayCompensation, etc.
57.Ifanyone infringes theexclusive rightconveyed byapatent (patent
infringement), andiftheinfringement iscommitted deliberately, heshallbe
sentenced toafineorimprisonment foramaximum period ofsixmonths.
Anyone whohasviolated aprohibition under Section 57amaynotbesentenced
topunishment forinfringement encompassed bytheprohibition. Theindictment
forthisoffense maybebrought bythePublic Prosecutor onlyattheinstance of
theaggrieved party andiftheindictment isforparticular reasons required inthe
public interest.
57a. Attheinstance ofthepatent proprietor orofonehaving therightunder
license tousetheinvention, theCourt mayprohibit under penalty ofafinea
patent infringer from continued infringement.
Iftheplaintiff shows probable cause thatthere isinfringement, andifthere
isgood reason tobelieve thatthedefendant, bycontinued infringement, will
depreciate thevalue oftheexclusive rightprovided bythepatent, theCourt may
issue aprohibition under penalty ofafinefortheperiod untilthecasehasbeen
finally decided oranother ruling hasbeenmade. Before suchaprohibition is
issued, thedefendant shallhavebeengiven anopportunity torespond, ifthere
isnoriskindelay.
Aprohibition pursuant tothesecond paragraph mayonlybegranted ifthe
plaintiff provides security withtheCourt fordamage which maybecaused to
thedefendant. Iftheplaintiff lacks themeans toprovide suchsecurity, theCourt
mayrelease himfrom thisobligation. Concerning thenature ofthesecurity,
Chapter 2,Section 25oftheDebtRecovery Actshallapply. Thesecurity shallIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page17
beexamined bytheCourt ifithasnotbeenaccepted bythedefendant.
When thecaseisdecided, theCourt shallconsider whether aprohibition
issued pursuant tothesecond paragraph shallstillremain inforce.
Asregards appeals against decisions made pursuant tothesecond orthird
paragraph andasregards consideration byhigher courts, theprovisions ofthe
Code ofJudicial Procedure concerning appeals against decisions under Chapter
15oftheCode ofJudicial Procedure shallapply.
Therequest forimposition ofafinemust bemade bytheparty whoapplied
fortheprohibition. Together withsucharequest, anapplication foranew
prohibition under penalty ofafinemaybemade.
58.Anyone whocommits patent infringement deliberately orthrough
negligence shallpayareasonable compensation fortheuseoftheinvention as
wellascompensation forfurther damage which theinfringement hascaused.
When determining thesizeofthecompensation, consideration shallalsobe
taken ofthepatent proprietor 'sinterest innothaving thepatent beinfringed and
ofother circumstances ofother thanpurely economic importance.
Ifanyone commits patent infringement thatisnotdeliberate ordueto
negligence, heshallpaycompensation fortheuseoftheinvention insofar asthis
isfound reasonable.
Anaction forcompensation forpatent infringement mayonlycover damage
during thelastfiveyears before theaction wasbrought. Fordamage suffered
during thetimebefore that,therighttocompensation shallbelost.
59.Onamotion bytheparty suffering patent infringement, theCourt may
order, totheextent thisisfound reasonable inorder toprevent further
infringement, thatpatented products manufactured without theconsent ofthe
proprietor ofthepatent, orobjects useofwhich would imply patent infringe-
ment, shallbealtered inaspecific manner, orbeimpounded fortheremainder
ofthepatent term, orbedestroyed or,inthecasethepatented products, be
surrendered against payment fortheirvalue totheparty whosuffered thein-
fringement. Theabove stipulation shallnotapply toaparty whohasacquired
theproperty oraspecial rightthereto ingood faithandwhohasnothimself
committed patent infringement.
Theproperty dealtwithinthefirstparagraph maybeseized iftheoffense
mentioned inSection 57canreasonably beassumed tohavebeencommitted.
Inthatcasethegeneral rules onseizure incriminal cases shallapply.
Without prejudice totheprovisions ofthefirstparagraph, theCourt, ifthere
areveryspecial reasons, mayorder onamotion tothateffect thatthepossessor
ofproperty contemplated inthefirstparagraph shallhavetherightofdisposition
overtheproperty during theremainder ofthepatent termorpartthereof against
reasonable compensation andonother reasonable conditions.
60.Ifaninvention forwhich apatent issought isusedcommercially after
thedocuments intheapplication filehavebecome available according toSection
22,thestipulations onpatent infringement shallapply totheextent thatthe
application results inapatent. Fortheperiod before thepatent wasgranted
under Section 20,however, thepatent protection shallonlyextend tothat
revealed inboththeclaims asworded when theapplication became publicly
available andtheclaims according tothepatent. Punishment shallnotbe
imposed, anddamages inconsequence ofusebefore thepatent wasgranted may
onlybeadjudged under Section 58,second paragraph.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page18
Theprovisions ofSection 58,thirdparagraph, shallnotapply iftheaction
forcompensation isbrought nolaterthanoneyearafterthetermforopposition
hasexpired or,ifopposition hasbeenmade, nolaterthanoneyearafterthe
Patent Authority ruled thatthepatent wastobemaintained.
61.Ifapatent hasbeenrevoked orhasbeendeclared invalid byajudgment
thathastaken legaleffect, theCourt maynot,under Sections 57to60,sentence
topunishment, issue aprohibition under penalty ofafine,order payment ofa
fineorcompensation ororder precautionary measures tobetaken.
Ifcourt action concerning patent infringement isbrought andiftheparty
against whom theaction isbrought claims thatthepatent isinvalid, thequestion
ofinvalidity mayonlybeconsidered aftercourt action tothiseffect hasbeen
brought. TheCourt shallorder theparty asserting thatthepatent isinvalid to
bring suchaction within acertain period oftime.
Ifpatent infringement action andpatent invalidity action arebrought inthe
same court proceedings andifitissuitable withregard totheinquiry todecide
independently thequestion ofwhether there ispatent infringement, aseparate
judgment mayberendered inthisquestion attherequest ofoneoftheparties.
Ifaseparate judgment isrendered, theCourt maydecide thatthecase
concerning invalidity shallbeheldinabeyance untilthejudgment hastaken
legaleffect.
62.Anyone whoomits deliberately orbynegligence which isnotofaminor
nature tocarry outwhatisrequired ofhimpursuant toSection 56shallbe
sentenced toafine.
Such penalty shallalsobeimposed onaparty whodeliberately orby
negligence which isnotofaminor nature gives falseinformation ininstances
covered bytheabovementioned Section, unless punishment forsuchactsis
provided forinthePenal Code.
Anyone whoomits deliberately orbynegligence tocarry outwhatis
required ofhimpursuant toSection 56orgives falseinformation ininstances
contemplated inthatSection shallpayproper damages. Ifthere isonlyminor
negligence, thecompensation maybeadjusted accordingly.
Indictments fortheoffenses contemplated inthefirstandsecond paragraphs
maybebrought bythePublic Prosecutor onlyattheinstance oftheaggrieved
party andiftheindictment isforparticular reasons required inthepublic
interest.
63.Aproprietor ofapatent orapartwhoisauthorized tousethein-
vention under alicense isentitled tobring anaction foradeclaratory judgment
toestablish whether heenjoys protection against another party onthebasis of
thepatent, ifthere isuncertainty inthisrespect andthisisprejudicial tohim.
Aparty whocarries onorintends tocarry onanactivity maybring an
action against theproprietor ofthepatent onthesame conditions inorder to
establish whether aspecific patent constitutes anobstacle tothesaidactivity.
Ifitisalleged inthecases mentioned inthefirstparagraph thatthepatent
isinvalid, theprovisions ofSection 61,second paragraph, shallapply
correspondingly.
64.Anyone whodesires tobring action forinvalidating apatent, orfor
transfer ofapatent orforthegrant ofacompulsory license shallreport thisto
thePatent Authority andshallalsonotify everyone whoholds, according totheIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page19
Register ofPatents, alicense under orapledge ofthepatent. Ifalicensee
desires tobring action forpatent infringement orforestablishment under Section
63,firstparagraph, heshallnotify theproprietor ofthepatent ofthisfact. The
same applies ifapledgeholder desires tobring action because ofpatent
infringement.
Information stipulated inthefirstparagraph shallbeconsidered tohave
beengiven when theinformation hasbeensentinaprepaid registered letter to
theaddresses entered intheRegister ofPatents.
Ifitisnotshown when theaction isbrought thatreport ornotification has
beenmade pursuant totheprovisions ofthefirstparagraph, theplaintiff shall
begiven arespite todoso.Ifhedoesnotavailhimself ofthisrespite, hisaction
shallnotbetaken upforconsideration.
65.TheCityCourt ofStockholm shallbetheproper court forlitigation
which concerns
(1)theproper titletoaninvention forwhich apatent issought,
(2)theinvalidation ortransfer ofapatent,
(3)thegrant ofcompulsory licenses, thelaying down ofnewconditions for,
ortherevocation ofsuchlicenses, orrights which arereferred toinSection 53,
second paragraph,
(4)patent infringements,
(5)establishments under Section 63,or
(6)theadjudication ofcompensation under Section 76.
66.Incases referred toinSection 65,theCityCourt iscompetent toact
withfourmembers, ofwhom twoshallbeproficient inlawandtwohave
technological qualifications. More thanthree members proficient inlawand
three members withtechnological qualifications maynotsitontheCourt. One
ofthemembers proficient inlawshallbethePresident oftheCourt.
Indeciding cases without amain session, aswellasinproceedings which
donottakeplace atamain session oratinspections onsite,theCityCourt is,
however, competent withonemember proficient inlaw. Insuchcases nomore
thanonemember proficient inlawandonetechnologically qualified member
maysitontheCourt. Inthiscasethemember proficient inlawisthePresident
oftheCourt.
67.Incases, inthedecisions ofwhich atechnologically qualified member
oftheCityCourt hastaken part,theCourt ofAppeal shallbecompetent with
three members proficient inlawandtwotechnologically qualified members. If
three members proficient inlawhaveparticipated inthedecision oftheCity
Court, however, atleastfourmembers proficient inlawshallparticipate inthe
decision oftheCourt ofAppeal. More thanfivemembers proficient inlawand
three technologically qualified members maynotsitontheCourt.
IftheCourt ofAppeal finds thattheparticipation oftechnologically
qualified members isevidently unnecessary, thentheCourt ofAppeal is
competent without suchmembers.
68.TheGovernment oranauthority appointed bytheGovernment shall
appoint atleast25persons forthree years atatimetoserve astechnologically
qualified members oftheCityCourt andtheCourt ofAppeal. During athree
yearperiod theGovernment may, where necessary, appoint additional persons
forsuchservice fortheremainder oftheperiod.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page20
ThePresident oftheCourt shallselect, foreachparticular case, the
members tositontheCourt from among thepersons thusappointed, according
tothedesired technological qualifications andother requirements. Atechnologi-
callyqualified member whoretires from office shallbeobliged toserve forthe
remainder ofacaseinwhich heparticipated earlier.
69.Incases under Section 65,theCourt shallobtain astatement ofopinion
from theCourt ofPatent Appeals ifthisisdeemed necessary.
70.Atranscript ofthejudgment orfinaldecision incases referred toin
Section 65shallbesenttothePatent Authority.
Chapter X:Special Provisions
71.Aproprietor ofapatent whoisnotdomiciled inthiscountry shallhave
anagent residing herewhoisentitled toreceive forhimservice ofwrits of
summons, notifications andother documents inlegalcases andmatters
concerning thepatent, withtheexception ofwrits orsummons incriminal cases
andorders fortheparty toappear personally before theCourt. Theagent shall
becommunicated totheRegister ofPatents andshallberecorded therein.
Iftheproprietor ofapatent hasnotreported anagent assetoutinthefirst
paragraph, theservice mayinstead beeffected bysending thedocument tobe
served onhimbymailinaprepaid letter tohisaddress appearing onthe
Register ofPatents. Ifthere isnocomplete address entered intheRegister, the
service maybeeffected bymaking thedocument available atthePatent
Authority andbyannouncing saidservice andtheessential contents ofthe
document insuchpublication asisdetermined bytheGovernment. Theservice
shallbeconsidered tohavebeeneffected when thesteps mentioned above have
beentaken.
Oncondition ofreciprocity theGovernment maydecree thattheprovisions
ofthefirstandsecond paragraphs shallnotapply inrespect ofaproprietor of
apatent whoisdomiciled inaspecified foreign country orwhohasanagent
residing inthatcountry provided theagent isrecorded intheRegister ofPatents
ofthiscountry andisempowered inthemanner prescribed inthefirst
paragraph.
72.Ifapatent applicant oraproprietor ofapatent, despite having observed
allduecarerequired bythecircumstances, inacaseother thanthatreferred to
inthesecond paragraph, hassuffered lossofrights because heomitted to
perform anactatthePatent Authority within atimelimitprescribed inthisAct
orunder theregulations ofthisAct,andifhecompletes theactwithin two
months from theremoval ofthecause ofnoncompliance withthetimelimit, but
atthelatest within oneyearfollowing theexpiry ofthetimelimit, thePatent
Authority shalldeclare thattheactshallbedeemed tohavebeencompleted
within theproper timelimit. Iftheapplicant orthepatent proprietor desires to
obtain suchadeclaration, heshall, within thetimelimitstated above fortheact,
make awritten petition tothateffect tothePatent Authority andpaya
prescribed fee.
Ifanapplicant ortheproprietor ofapatent hasnotpaidtheannual fee
within thetimelimitprescribed inSection 41,thirdparagraph, orSection 42,
thirdparagraph, theprovisions inthefirstparagraph shallapply withtheIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page21
exception thattheannual feemust bepaidandthepetition made nolaterthan
sixmonths following theexpiry ofsaidtimelimit.
Thefirstparagraph doesnotapply tothetimelimitreferred toinSection 6,
firstparagraph.
Asregards aninternational patent application which hasbeenpursued in
Sweden inaccordance withSection 31,thefirstparagraph shallalsoapply ifthe
patent applicant hassuffered lossofrights because hehasnotobserved atime
limitwithregard tothereceiving Office, theInternational Searching Authority,
theInternational Preliminary Examining Authority ortheInternational Bureau.
Theactwhich hasnotbeenperformed within thetimelimitshallinthose cases
referred toherebeperformed atthePatent Authority. Theprovisions ofthis
paragraph donotapply tothetimelimitwithin which aninternational patent
application must befiledtoenjoy priority from anearlier application.
73.If,incases referred toinSection 31or38,adocument orfeewhich has
beensentbymailhasnotarrived atthePatent Authority within theprescribed
timelimit, butiftheactintended bythemailing iscompleted within two
months from when theapplicant realized orshould haverealized thatthetime
limithadbeenexceeded, butinnocaselaterthanoneyearaftertheexpiration
ofthetimelimit, thePatent Authority shalldeclare thattheactshallbe
considered ashaving beencompleted within theproper timelimit, provided
(1)interruption ofthepostal service occurred onanyofthetendays
preceding theexpiration ofthetimelimitonaccount ofwar,revolution, civil
disorder, strike, natural catastrophe, orother likereason inthelocality where the
sender isstaying orhashisplace ofbusiness, andthedocument orfeewas
mailed tothePatent Authority within fivedaysfrom theresumption ofpostal
service, or
(2)thedocument orfeewasmailed tothePatent Authority byregistered
mailnolaterthanfivedaysbefore theexpiration ofthetimelimit, butonlyif
themailing wassentbyairmail where thiswaspossible orthesender hadreason
toassume thatthemailing bysurface mailshould havearrived atthePatent
Authority within twodaysofmailing.
Iftheapplicant wishes toobtain suchdeclaration pursuant tothefirst
paragraph, heshallmake apetition inwriting tothateffect withthePatent
Authority within thetimelimitprescribed inthefirstparagraph fortheact.
74.Ifapetition according toSection 72or73hasbeengranted andasa
result thereof processing ofapatent application which hasbeendismissed or
rejected afterbecoming available pursuant toSection 22isresumed orapatent
which haslapsed isconsidered maintained, anannouncement tothateffect shall
bemade.
Ifanyone, aftertheexpiration ofthetimelimitforrestoration ofthe
dismissed application oraftertherejection decision hasbecome finalorthe
patent haslapsed butbefore saidannouncement hasbeenmade, hasbegun in
good faithtousetheinvention commercially inthiscountry, hemay, not-
withstanding thepatent, continue suchuse,retaining itsgeneral character. Such
righttouseshallalsobegranted oncorresponding conditions toanyone whohas
made substantial preparations forcommercial useoftheinvention inthis
country.
Therightaccording tothepreceding paragraph canonlybetransferred to
others together withthebusiness inwhich itoriginated orinwhich theusewas
intended totakeplace.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page22
75.Final decisions ofthePatent Authority, other thanthose toreferred to
inSection 26,anddecisions under Sections 42,72or73,maybeappealed
against totheCourt ofPatent Appeals within twomonths from thedateofthe
decision.
Afinaldecision oftheCourt ofPatent Appeals maybeappealed against to
theSupreme Administrative Court within twomonths from thedateofthe
decision. Inthiscase, therules inSections 35-37 oftheCode ofAdministrative
Procedure (1971:291) concerning appeals against decisions bytheAdministrative
Court ofAppeal shallapply. Decisions bytheCourt ofPatent Appeals shall
statethatspecial leave isrequired forconsideration bytheSupreme Administra-
tiveCourt andthegrounds onwhich suchleave isgranted.
76.Feesunder thisActshallbefixed bytheGovernment. TheGovernment
maydecree withrespect toannual feesthatoneormore ofthefirstfeeyears
shallbeexempt from fees.
77.More detailed regulations concerning patent applications, announcements
regarding patent matters, printing oftheapplication documents, theRegister of
Patents andthekeeping thereof aswellasthePatent Authority shallbeissued
bytheGovernment, ortotheextent laiddown bytheGovernment, bythePatent
Authority. Chronological records keptbythePatent Authority shallbeavailable
tothepublic totheextent laiddown bytheGovernment.
TheGovernment maydecree thatdocuments inmatters regarding an
application forapatent maybedelivered toanauthority inanother country.
TheGovernment mayalsodecree thattheexamination ofpatent applica-
tions, onrequest bythePatent Authority, maybecarried outatanauthority in
another country orataninternational institution, andthataparty whoapplies
forapatent foraninvention forwhich heapplied forapatent inanother country
shallbeobliged toreport whatthepatent authority intheother country
communicated tohimwithrespect totheexamination ofthepatentability ofthe
invention. Suchobligation toreport shallnotbedecreed, however, inrespect of
anapplication referred toinChapter III,ifithasbeenthesubject ofan
international preliminary examination andthereport concerning saidexamination
hasbeenfiledwiththePatent Authority.
78.Ifthecountry isatwarorindanger ofwar,theGovernment, when
called forinthepublic interest, maydecree thattherighttoaspecific invention
shallbesurrendered totheState ortoanother party designated bythe
Government. Areasonable compensation shallbepaidfortherighttothe
invention thussurrendered. Ifnoagreement onthecompensation canbemade
withtheparty entitled tocompensation, theCourt shallfixthecompensation.
Ifaparty other thantheState hasavailed itself oftherighttoaninvention
pursuant tothefirstparagraph, andifthesaidparty doesnotfulfill its
obligations withregard tocompensation, theState shallbeobliged topaythe
saidcompensation assoonasthisisrequested bytheparty entitled to
compensation.
79.Special regulations apply toinventions ofimportance forthedefence of
thecountry.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page23
Chapter XI:European Patents
80.AEuropean patent isapatent which hasbeengranted bytheEuropean
Patent Office under theEuropean Patent Convention doneatMunich onOctober
5,1973. AEuropean patent application isapatent application filedunder said
Convention.
Anapplication foraEuropean patent shallbefiledwiththeEuropean Patent
Office. Such application mayalsobefiledatthePatent Authority tobe
transmitted bythePatent Authority totheEuropean Patent Office. However,
applications referred toinArticle 76ofsaidConvention (European divisional
applications) shallalways befiledattheEuropean Patent Office.
Theprovisions ofSections 81to93apply toEuropean patents forSweden
andEuropean patent applications designating Sweden.
81.AEuropean patent isgranted when theEuropean Patent Office has
announced itsdecision toallow thepatent application. TheEuropean patent has
thesame legaleffect asapatent granted inthiscountry andisalsootherwise
subject tothesame conditions assuchpatent, unless otherwise provided inthis
Chapter.
82.AEuropean patent haseffect inthiscountry onlyiftheapplicant has
supplied, within theperiod determined bytheGovernment, tothePatent
Authority atranslation intoSwedish ofthetextinwhich thepatent isintended
tobegranted according tothenotification totheapplicant from theEuropean
Patent Office, andwithin thesame period haspaidtheprescribed feefor
printing thetranslation. IftheEuropean Patent Office rules thataEuropean
patent shallbemaintained withamended wording thisshallalsoapply with
respect totheamended text.
Thetranslation shallbeavailable toanyone. IftheEuropean patent appli-
cation hasnotbeenpublished bytheEuropean Patent Office when the
translation isreceived, however, thetranslation shallnotbemade available
before suchpublication hastaken place.
Ifatranslation hasbeensupplied andthefeepaidwithin theprescribed
period andiftheEuropean Patent Office hasannounced itsdecision toallow the
patent application orhasdecided thattheEuropean patent shallbemaintained
withamended wording, thePatent Authority shallissue anannouncement tothat
effect. Assoonaspossible, printed copies ofthetranslation shallbeobtainable
from thePatent Authority.
83.Iftheproprietor ofapatent hasnotcompleted theactreferred toin
Section 82,firstparagraph, within theprescribed timelimit, theprovisions of
Section 72,firstparagraph, concerning patent applicants shallbecorrespondingly
applicable. Ifitisdeclared under Section 72thatsuchactshallbedeemed to
havebeencompleted within theproper timelimit, thePatent Authority shall
make anannouncement tothateffect.
Ifanyone, afterthetimelimitforcompleting theactsaccording toSection
82,firstparagraph, hasexpired butbefore theabove announcement hasbeen
made, hasbegun ingood faithtousetheinvention commercially inthiscountry
orhasmade substantial preparations therefor, heshallenjoy therightprovided
inSection 74,second andthirdparagraphs.
84.(Deleted)IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page24
85.IftheEuropean Patent Office hasrevoked aEuropean patent inits
entirety orinpart,thisrevocation shallhaveeffect asifthepatent inthis
country weredeclared invalid tothecorresponding extent. ThePatent Authority
shallannounce therevocation.
86.Annual feesforEuropean patents shallbepaidtothePatent Authority
foreachfeeyearbeginning aftertheyearinwhich theEuropean Patent Office
announced itsdecision toallow thepatent application.
Ifanannual feeforaEuropean patent isnotpaidaccording tothestipula-
tions inthefirstparagraph andinSections 41and42,Section 51shallbe
correspondingly applicable. Thefirstannual feeforaEuropean patent isnot,
however, dueforpayment, before twomonths havepassed from thedateon
which thepatent wasgranted.
87.AEuropean patent application which hasbeenaccorded afiling dateby
theEuropean Patent Office shallhavethesame effect inthiscountry asa
Swedish patent application filedonsaiddate. Iftheapplication under the
European Patent Convention enjoys priority from anearlier datethanthefiling
date, suchpriority shallbetaken intoconsideration.
Inapplying Section 2,second paragraph, second sentence, thepublication
ofaEuropean patent application pursuant toArticle 93oftheEuropean Patent
Convention shallbeequivalent totheapplication becoming available tothe
public pursuant toSection 22.Thisshallalsoapply topublication referred toin
Article 158(1) oftheConvention ifsaidpublication isruled bytheEuropean
Patent Office tobeequivalent topublication pursuant toArticle 93.
88.IfaEuropean patent application hasbeenpublished under theEuropean
Patent Convention andatranslation intoSwedish ofthepatent claims asworded
when published hasbeenfiledwiththePatent Authority, thePatent Authority
shallmake anannouncement tothiseffect andmake thetranslation available to
anyone.
Ifanyone usesaninvention commercially forwhich patent protection is
sought byaEuropean patent application aftertheannouncement pursuant tothe
firstparagraph hasbeenmade, theprovisions concerning patent infringement
shallapply correspondingly iftheapplication results inapatent forSweden. In
suchcase, however, thepatent protection shallonlyextend tothatrevealed in
boththepatent claims asworded when published andtheclaims according to
thepatent. Punishment shallnotbeimposed anddamages mayonlybe
determined pursuant toSection 58,second paragraph.
Theprovisions ofSection 58,thirdparagraph, shallnotapply iftheaction
forcompensation isbrought within oneyearaftertheperiod foropposition
against theEuropean patent hasexpired or,ifopposition hasbeenfiled, within
oneyearafterthedecision bytheEuropean Patent Office tomaintain thepatent.
89.IfaEuropean patent application orrequest thatsuchapplication shall
designate Sweden hasbeenwithdrawn orifunder theEuropean Patent
Convention suchwithdrawal shallbeconsidered tohavebeenmade, andif
processing oftheapplication hasnotbeenresumed pursuant toArticle 121of
theConvention, thisshallhavethesame effect aswithdrawal ofapatent
application withthePatent Authority.
IfaEuropean patent application hasbeenrejected, thisshallhavethesame
effect asarejection ofapatent application inthiscountry.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page25
90.Ifthetranslation ofadocument referred toinSection 82or88doesnot
agree withthewording ofthedocument inthelanguage oftheproceedings
before theEuropean Patent Office, thepatent protection shallonlyextend tothat
which isevident from bothtexts.
Inrevocation litigation thetextinthelanguage oftheproceedings shallbe
thesoleauthentic text.
91.Iftheapplicant ortheproprietor ofapatent fileswiththePatent
Authority acorrection ofthetranslation referred toinSection 82andpaysthe
prescribed feeforprinting thecorrected translation, thecorrected translation
shallapply inplace oftheearlier translation. Acorrected translation shallbe
made available toanyone iftheoriginal translation wasavailable. Ifthe
correction hasbeenfiledandthefeepaid, andiftheoriginal translation is
available toanyone, theauthority shallalsoannounce saidcorrection. Assoon
aspossible, printed copies ofthecorrected translation shallbeobtainable from
thePatent Authority.
Iftheapplicant filesacorrection ofthetranslation referred toinSection 88
andpaystheprescribed fee,thePatent Authority shallmake anannouncement
tothiseffect andmake thecorrected translation available toanyone. After the
announcement hasbeenmade, thecorrected translation shallapply inplace of
theearlier translation.
Ifanyone, before thecorrected translation became valid, has,ingood faith,
begun tousetheinvention commercially inthiscountry inamanner which
according totheearlier translation didnotconstitute infringement oftheright
oftheapplicant orproprietor ofthepatent, orhasmade substantial preparations
therefor, heshallenjoy therightspecified inSection 74,second andthird
paragraphs.
92.IftheEuropean Patent Office hasdecided torevoke aEuropean patent
partially orinitsentirety, orifthecircumstances haveoccurred asreferred to
inSection 89regarding aEuropean patent application, andiftheEuropean
Patent Office declares, nevertheless, under theEuropean Patent Convention that
theproprietor ofthepatent ortheapplicant shallbegranted restitutio in
integrum ,thisshallalsoapply inthiscountry.
Ifanyone, afterthedecision wasrendered orthecircumstances occurred but
prior totheannouncement bytheEuropean Patent Office ofthedeclaration
referred tointhefirstparagraph, began ingood faithtousetheinvention
commercially inthiscountry ormade substantial preparations therefor, heshall
enjoy therightspecified inSection 74,second andthirdparagraphs.
93.IfaEuropean patent application which hasbeenfiledwithanational
patent authority isdeemed tobewithdrawn because theEuropean Patent Office
didnotreceive itwithin theprescribed timelimit, attherequest oftheapplicant,
thePatent Authority shalltakeuptheapplication asconverted toanapplication
foraSwedish patent provided
(1)thattherequest isfiledwiththenational authority which received the
patent application within three months from when theapplicant wasnotified that
theapplication wasdeemed withdrawn and,furthermore, isreceived bythe
Patent Authority within twenty months from thedateoffiling oftheapplication
or,ifpriority isclaimed, thedayfrom which priority isclaimed, and
(2)theapplicant pays, within theperiod determined bytheGovernment, the
prescribed application feeandfilesatranslation intoSwedish ofthepatentIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page26
application.
Ifthepatent application fulfills therequirements regarding theform ofthe
application stipulated intheEuropean Patent Convention anditsImplementing
Regulations, itshallbeaccepted inthisrespect.
Chapter XIIPledging
94.Patents which havebeengranted orwhich haveeffect inthiscountry
canbepledged pursuant tothestipulations inthisChapter.
Pledges canalsoapply to:
1.aSwedish patent application,
2.aninternational patent application which hasbeenpursued under Section
31orwhich hasbeentaken upforprocessing inaccordance withSection 33,
thirdparagraph orSection 38,or
3.aEuropean patent application forwhich atranslation inaccordance with
Section 88hasbeenreceived bythePatent Authority orwhich hasbeen
converted under Section 93.
Apledge ofapatent application alsoencompasses aportion ofthe
application which becomes thesubject ofdivision orbreaking out.
95.Apledge ofapatent orpatent application arises byregistration ofa
written contract pledging theproperty. Theapplication forregistration ismade
withthePatent Authority.
Ifaregistered pledge hasbeentransferred toanother, thisshallberecorded
upon request intheRegister ofPatents ortheRegister ofPatent Applications.
Ifapledge hasbeengiven totwoormore individually, priority isgiven that
pledge forwhich anapplication forregistration wasreceived firstbythePatent
Authority, unless otherwise agreed.
Ifmore thanoneapplication forregistration ofpledging contracts ismade
onthesame day,precedence shallbegiven between them inaccordance with
thechronological order inwhich theyweremade, unless otherwise agreed. Ifthe
contracts were simultaneous oritcannot bedetermined inwhatchronological
order theywere made, thentheyhavethesame right.
96.Anapplication forregistration inaccordance withSection 95ismade
byonehaving therighttothepatent orpatent application orbyonetowhom
apledge hasbeengiven. Theapplicant shallconfirm thepledgor 'srighttothe
patent orpatent application.
Thepatent proprietor asrecorded intheRegister ofPatents shallbe
considered tohavetherighttothepatent unless thecasereveals otherwise. If
theapplication forregistration relates toapledge ofapatent application, the
inventor orhisassignee asregistered withthePatent Authority shallbe
considered tohavetherighttothepatent application, unless thecaseshows
otherwise.
If,when theapplication forregistration ismade, thepledgor doesnothave
thepledged property athisdisposal duetodistraint, bankruptcy, legal
incapacity, securing ofpayment, sequestration orforsome other reason, the
application cannot begranted.
97.Acontract inwhich apatent ispledged canberegistered when the
patent hasbeengranted or,ifthecontract relates toaEuropean patent, when itIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page27
hascome intoeffect inthiscountry pursuant toSection 82.
Acontract inwhich apatent application ispledged canberegistered when
thepatent application hasbeenregistered intheRegister ofPatent Applications
atthePatent Authority or,ifthecontract relates toaEuropean patent applica-
tion,when anannouncement under Section 88hasbeenmade.
Ifapledged patent application results inthegranting ofapatent, thepatent
willthereafter bethepledged property.
98.Even though registration hasbeeneffected, therighttothepledged
property onlyapplies ifthecontract wasentered intobyaproper owner ofthe
property, entitled todispose thereof, andifthecontract isnotinvalid forsome
other reason.
99.Thepledge haslapsed ifthepatent orpatent application hasbeen
transferred toanother party orisotherwise nolonger valid duetotheprovisions
ofthislaw.
100. Theregistration shallbestricken ifthepledge, through afinal
judgement, hasbeendeclared voidorifthepledge haslapsed orotherwise
ceased tobevalid.
101. Thepledging ofapatent orpatent application isineffect from thedate
ofapplication forregistration under Section 95against anyone subsequently
acquiring ownership oforother righttotheproperty.
Alicensing agreement isvalid against thepledgee iftheagreement was
concluded prior totheapplication forregistration ofthepledge contract.
102. Theprovisions ofanother lawconcerning pledges upon distraint or
bankruptcy alsoapply topledges ofpatents orpatent applications. Thereceipt
bythePatent Authority ofanapplication forregistration under Section 95has
thesame legaleffects aswhen apledgee takes achose inpossession.
Ifapledged patent orpatent application issoldupon distraint orbankruptcy,
suchlicensing agreements asarereferred toinSection 101,second paragraph,
shallremain inforce.
103. Thepledgee maysellthepledge andtakehisclaim from theproceeds
onlyifhehaspreviously informed thedebtor andother known parties, ofthe
saleandtheyhavebeenafforded sufficient opportunity tolookaftertheir
interests.
After salepursuant tothissection, suchlicensing agreements asarereferred
toinSection 101,second paragraph, shallremain inforce.
104. Anyone applying forregistration under thischapter shallpayafee.The
Government shalldetermine thesizeofthefee.
Chapter XIII. Supplementary Protection forMedicinal Products
105. According totheprovisions ofthischapter, supplementary protection
foranactive ingredient oracombination ofactive ingredients inamedicinal
product maybeapplied forandgranted.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page28
106. Supplementary protection shallbegranted where
1.theactive ingredient orthecombination ofactive ingredients isprotected
byapatent which isinforce inSweden,
2.theactive ingredient orthecombination ofactive ingredients isincluded
inamedicinal product which isauthorized forsaleinaccordance withSection
5oftheMedicinal Products Act(1992:859),
3.theauthorization isthefirstwhich incorporates theactive ingredient or
thecombination ofactive ingredients, and
4.supplementary protection hasnotpreviously beengranted fortheactive
ingredient orthecombination ofactive ingredients.
107. Apetition forsupplementary protection shallbemade inwriting tothe
Patent Office.
Thepetition shallbelodged within sixmonths ofthedateonwhich the
medicinal product isauthorized. Ifauthorization wasgranted before thepatent
wasgranted, thepetition shallbelodged within sixmonths ofthedateonwhich
thepatent wasgranted.
Thepetition shallcontain astatement ofthenumber ofthepatent andthe
titleoftheinvention. Thepetition shallalsocontain anidentification ofthe
active ingredient orthecombination ofactive ingredients andsubstantiation of
thedecision ofthefirstauthorization ofthemedicinal product.
Thepetitioner shallpayafixed petition fee.
Thepetition shallbeannounced bythePatent Office.
108. Where theconditions forsupplementary protection according to
Sections 106and107arefulfilled, thePatent Office shallapprove thepetition.
Thedecision shallbepublished.
When thedecision toapprove thepetition hasbeenofficially announced,
supplementary protection hasbeengranted. Granted supplementary protection
shallberecorded inthePatent Register.
109. Thesupplementary protection shalltakeeffect attheendofthelawful
termofthepatent.
Thesupplementary protection canbemaintained foraperiod equal tothe
period which elapsed between thedateonwhich theapplication forapatent was
filedandthedateofthefirstauthorization ofthemedicinal product, reduced by
aperiod offiveyears. Theduration ofthesupplementary protection maynot,
however, exceed fiveyears.
110. Within thelimits ofprotection conferred bythepatent, thesupple-
mentary protection extends totheactive ingredient orcombination ofactive
ingredients which isincluded intheauthorized medicinal product andforany
useoftheactive ingredient orthecombination ofactive ingredients inthe
medicinal product thathasbeenauthorized before theexpiry oftheprotection
period.
Thesupplementary protection determined inaccordance withthefirstpara-
graph shallconfer thesame legaleffects asthepatent had.
111. Annual feesaredueforthesupplementary protection. Thefeeyearis
calculated from thedayonwhich thesupplementary protection came intoeffect
andthereafter from corresponding days.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page29
112. Where anannual feeisnotpaidinaccordance withthatprescribed, the
supplementary protection shalllapse witheffect from thedayofcommencement
ofthefeeyearforwhich thefeehasnotbeenpaid.
Thesupplementary protection shallalsolapse iftheauthorization ofthe
medicinal product ceases tobevalid.
113. Thesupplementary protection shallbeinvalid if
1.thesupplementary protection wasgranted contrary totheprovisions of
Section 106,
2.thepatent haslapsed before itslawful termaccording toSection 40,first
paragraph, hasexpired, or
3.thepatent isdeclared invalid totheextent thattheactive ingredient orthe
combination ofactive ingredients forwhich supplementary protection was
granted isnolonger protected bytheclaims ofthepatent or,afterthepatent has
expired, grounds existwhich would havejustified suchadeclaration.
114. Intheabsence ofprovisions inthischapter, theprovisions applicable
under Chapters II,V-XandXIIshallapply toapetition forsupplementary
protection andtogranted supplementary protection. Opposition maynot,
however, befiledagainst agranted supplementary protection.
Adecision relating tosupplementary protection maybeappealed against in
accordance tothecorresponding provisions forappeals relating topatents.
_________________________________
Provisions ofEntry intoForce andTransition
(fortheAmendments (1978) totheSwedish Patents Actof1967)
1.ThisActshallenter intoforce onthedaydetermined bytheGovernment
(1June1978).
2.Patent applications which havebeenallowed forlaying opentopublic
inspection before theentry intoforce, andapplications forpatents ofaddition
filedprior totheentry intoforce, shallbeprocessed anddecided onaccording
totheolder textoftheAct.
3.Asregards other applications filedbefore theentry intoforce thanthose
mentioned under point 2,thefollowing shallapply.
TheoldtextofSection 9shallbeapplied instead ofthenewtextof
Section 8.
TheoldtextofSection 20shallbeapplied.
Iftheinvention relates tofoodstuffs ormedicines, apatent maynotbe
granted ontheproduct itself.
4.Thenewprovisions shallalsoapply topatents which havebeengranted
before theentry intoforce orwhich aregranted onapplications filedbefore the
entry intoforce unless otherwise stipulated inthefollowing.
Thetermofpatents granted onapplications filedmore thantwelve years
before theentry intoforce, shallbedetermined according totheoldtextof
Section 40.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page30
If,before theentry intoforce, apatent haslapsed pursuant toSection 51,
firstparagraph, thenSection 51,second andthirdparagraphs andSection 55,
second sentence, shallstillapply.
Forpatents granted onapplications filedbefore theentry intoforce, theold
textofSection 60shallstillapply.
Oldprovisions concerning patents ofaddition shallstillapply inrespect of
patents ofaddition granted before theentry intoforce orwhich willbegranted
according topoint 2.
Matters ofrevoking apatent which hasbeengranted orisgranted according
totheoldtextoftheAct,shallbedecided according tothattextoftheAct.
5.IfaEuropean patent application designating Sweden isdeemed tobe
withdrawn pursuant toArticle 162(4) intheEuropean Patent Convention, the
Patent Authority shall, attherequest oftheapplicant, takeuptheapplication as
converted toanapplication foraSwedish patent provided, firstly, thatthe
request isfiledwiththeEuropean Patent Office within three months afterthe
applicant wasnotified thatthepatent application wasdeemed tobewithdrawn,
and,secondly, thattheapplicant, within thetimelimitdetermined bythe
Government, paystheprescribed application feeandfilesatranslation into
Swedish oftheoriginal textoftheapplication andoftheamendments made
during processing attheEuropean Patent Office andwhich theapplicant wishes
tocite. Regarding theform ofthepatent application, Section 93,second
paragraph, shallapply mutatis mutandis.
6.Ifapatent application forwhich conversion hasbeenrequested according
topoint 5hasbeenpublished pursuant toArticle 93intheEuropean Patent
Convention andifitisdeclared under Section 72thatatranslation orfeewhich
wasreceived toolateshallbeconsidered tohavebeenreceived within the
proper timelimit, thePatent Authority shallmake anannouncement tothis
effect. Thesame shallalsoapply topatent applications forwhich conversion is
requested which havebeenpublished under Article 21ofthePatent Cooperation
Treaty, ifthispublication isdeemed bytheEuropean Patent Office tobe
equivalent topublication under Article 93.
Ifanyone, aftertheexpiration ofthetimelimitforfiling thetranslation or
paying thefee,butbefore theabove announcement wasmade, hasbegun in
good faithtousetheinvention commercially inthiscountry orhasmade
substantial preparations therefor, heshallenjoy therightprovided inSection 74,
second andthirdparagraphs.
__________________________________
Provisions ofEntry intoForce andTransition
(foramendments, (1983) totheSwedish Patents Actof1967)
1.ThisActshallenter intoforce onthedaydetermined bytheGovernment
(1October 1983).
2.Theprovisions concerning deposits ofcultures ofmicroorganisms inthe
newtextsofSections 8,22and56andinSection 8ashallnotbeapplied to
patent applications filedprior toentry intoforce. Forsuchapplications, the
provisions intheoldtextsofSections 8,22and56shallbeapplied instead.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page31
3.Adeposit which hasbeenmade under older provisions maybereplaced
withanewdeposit ofaculture ofthesame organism inthemanner prescribed
bytheGovernment (replacement deposit). Ifthereplacement deposit hasbeen
made intheprescribed manner, itshallbeconsidered ashaving beenmade on
thedatewhen theolder deposit wasmade. With regard toreplacement deposits,
Section 8a,second paragraph, andthenewtextsofSections 22and56shall
apply asthough thereplacement deposit hadbeenadeposit under Section 8a.
Section 22,seventh paragraph, shallnot,however, apply tosuchadeposit.
4.Thequestion ofdeclaring apatent tobeinvalid which hasbeengranted
orisgranted according totheoldtextoftheActshallbedecided according to
thattextoftheAct. Theprovision under point 3concerning replacement
deposits shallbeobserved inthiscase.
5.Iftheapplicant atentry intoforce hascompleted thatwhich isrequired
topursue aninternational patent application according tothenewtextofSection
31andiftheperiod forthepursuit hadthennotyetexpired, theapplication
shallbeconsidered pursued onthedateofentry intoforce.
6.Theprovisions concerning annual feesforpatent applications donot
apply toapplications filedprior toentry intoforce. Forpatents which havebeen
granted oraregranted onthebasis ofsuchapplications, theoldprovisions
concerning annual feesforpatents shallapply instead ofthenewprovisions
concerning annual fees.
Even iftheoldprovisions concerning annual feesshallapply, annual fees,
which become dueonthefirstdayofapatent yearaccording totheold
provisions, shallinstead become dueonthelastdayofthecalendar month
during which thepatent yearbegins.
Asregards patent applications filedprior toentry intosucharequest asis
referred toinSection 14,notwithstanding thenewtextofsaidsection, maybe
made untiltwoyears havepassed from entry intoforce.
______________________________
Amended wordings ofSections 31and72(No.937of1984)
entered intoforce on1January 1985
_______________________________
Provisions ofEntry intoForce andTransition
(foramendments (No.233of1986) totheSwedish Patents Actof1967)
1.ThisActenters intoforce on1July1986.
2.Asregards theconstitution oftheCityCourt, theolder provisions shall
stillapply atmain proceedings begun prior toentry intoforce andatdelibe-
rations andvoting inconnection withsuchmain proceedings.
3.Asregards theconstitution oftheCourt ofAppeal, theolder provisions
shallstillapply incases where thefinalproceedings havebegun prior toentryIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page32
intoforce.
4.Asregards appeals against decisions rendered bytheCourt ofPatent
Appeals prior toentry intoforce, theolder provisions shallstillapply.
__________________________________
Theamendments toSection 64andthenewChapter XII(No.1330 of1987)
entered intoforce on1April 1988.
__________________________________
Amended wordings ofSections 57and62(No.296of1991)
entered intoforce on1January 1992
__________________________________
Provisions ofEntry intoForce andTransition
(fortheamendments (No.1688 of1992) toSection 3ofthePatents Act)
1.Thislawshallenter intoforce onthedatedetermined bytheGovernment.
2.Until thedatespecified bytheGovernment, when applying thenew
provision ofSection 3,paragraph 2),thefactthatfoodormedicine wasputon
themarket inFinland orthatmedicine wasputonthemarket inIceland shall
notbeconsidered tomean thattheproduct inquestion wasputonthemarket
within theEuropean Economic Area. Thisapplies however onlytoproducts
which enjoy patent protection inSweden onanother basis thanthattheyare
products manufactured inaccordance withaprocess protected byapatent.
___________________________________
Provisions ofEntry intoForce andTransition forAmendments toSections 72
and75andChapter XIII, Supplementary Protection forMedicinal Products
(No.1406 of1993)
1.Thislawenters intoforce on1January 1994.
2.Ifanapplication forapatent hasbeenallowed forlaying opentopublic
inspection prior totheentry intoforce, theprevious provisions shallapply with
theexception ofthatstipulated inpoint 3.
3.Theprovision inSection 72shallapply alsotoapatent which hasbeen
granted andtoanapplication processed according totheprevious provisions.
4.Where apetition forsupplementary protection relates toingredients ina
medicinal product which wasauthorized after1January 1985 though before
entry intoforce ofthisAct,apetition maybelodged bynolaterthan30JuneIP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page33
1994, contrary tothatwhich isstated inSection 107,second paragraph, first
sentence.
5.Where apetition forsupplementary protection relates toingredients which
were protected byapatent on1January 1993, though thelawful termofthe
patent expired before theentry intoforce ofthisAct,apetition maybelodged
bynolaterthan30June1994, contrary tothatwhich isstated inSection 106,
point 1.
Supplementary protection which hasbeengranted according tothefirst
paragraph begins totakeeffect when itisgranted.
After expiry ofthelawful termofthepatent, though before thepetition for
supplementary protection according tothefirstparagraph hasbeenlodged, any
person whoingood faithbegan tocommercially exploit theinvention inthis
country maycontinue, theexploitation within itsinitial scope without impedi-
ment from thesupplementary protection. Under corresponding conditions, he
whohastaken substantial steps tocommercially exploit theinvention within this
country enjoys suchrighttoexploitation.
Therightaccording tothethirdparagraph maybetransferred toanother person
onlyinconnection withthebusiness inwhich itarose ortheexploitation was
intended tobemade.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page34
THE MINISTRY OFJUSTICE
Stockholm
ACT
AMENDING THE PATENTS ACT (1967:837)
(Act1994:234, ofApril 14,1994)
Inaccordance withthedecision bytheParliament, itisprescribed thatArticles 57,57aand59of
thePatents Act(1967:837) shallreadasfollows.
Article 57.Anyone whoinfringes theexclusive rightconveyed byapatent (patent infringement) shall,
where theinfringement incommitted wilfully orwithgross negligence, besentenced tofines or
imprisonment fornotmore thantwoyears. Aperson whohasviolated aprohibition under penalty
ofafineordered under Article 57amaynotbeadjudicated tocriminal liability fortheinfringement
covered bytheinjunction.
Attempts tocommit actsmentioned inthefirstparagraph, andthepreparation ofsuchacts,shallbe
punishable according totheprovisions ofChapter 23oftheCriminal Code.
Apublic prosecutor mayinstitute acriminal action inrespect ofactsmentioned inthefirstorsecond
paragraphs onlywhere there isacomplaint from theinjured party andsuchanaction is,forspecial
reasons, called forinthepublic interest.
Article 57a.Attherequest bytheowner ofapatent orbyaperson who, onthebasis ofalicense,
hastherighttoexploit theinvention, theCourt mayorder aprohibition, under penalty ofafine,for
aperson whocommits apatent infringement tocontinue thatinfringement.
Iftheplaintiff shows aprobable casethataninfringement takesplace anditcanreasonably beassumed
thatthedefendant, through thecontinuation oftheact,diminishes thevalue oftheexclusive rightin
thepatent, theCourt mayorder aprohibition, under penalty ofafine,forthetimeuntilthecasehas
beenfinallyadjudicatedorotherwiseisdecided.Nosuchprohibitionmaybeorderedbeforethedefendant
hasbeengiven anopportunity torespond, unless adelay would entail ariskofinjury.
Aninjunction asmentioned inthesecond paragraph maybeissued onlyiftheplaintiff deposits asecurity
withtheCourt fortheinjury which maybecaused tothedefendant. Iftheplaintiff isnotcapable of
depositing suchasecurity, theCourt mayliberate himfrom making adeposit. Asregards thetype
ofsecurity, theprovisions ofChapter 2,Article 25,oftheEnforcement Code shallapply. Thesecurity
shallbeexamined bytheCourt unless thedefendant hasaccepted it.
When thecaseisadjudicated, theCourt shalldecide whether aprohibition under thesecond paragraph
shallcontinue toapply.
Theprovisions onappeal against decisions inChapter 15oftheCode onJudicial Procedure shallapply
asregards appeals against decisions under thesecond andthirdparagraphs andasregards proceedings
inhigher Courts.
Arequest fortheimposition ofafinemaybemade bytheperson whohasrequested theprohibition.
Inconnection withsuchanimposition, arequest maybemade foranewprohibition totheordered
under penalty ofafine.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page35
Asregards thecontents ofwireless broadcasts andbroadcasts bywire, theprovisions oftheRadio
Act(1966:755) shallapply.
Article 59.Attherequest ofaperson whohassuffered injury fromapatent infringement, theCourt
may,totheextent considered reasonable inorder toprevent thecontinuation oftheinfringement, decide
thataanobject protected byapatent which hasbeenmanufactured without theauthorization ofthe
patent owner, oranobject theuseofwhich would constitute apatent infringement, shallbealtered
inacertain manner ortaken intocustody fortheremainder ofthetimeofthevalidity ofthepatent,
orbedestroyed, or,asregards anobject protected byapatent, besurrendered, against compensation,
totheperson whosuffered theinjury. These provisions donotapply inrespect ofaperson whohas
ingoodfaithacquired theproperty oraspecific rightinitandwhohasnothimself committed apatent
infringement.
Property asreferred tointhefirstparagraph maybeseized, where ititcanreasonably beassumed
thataviolation under Article 57hasbeencommitted. Asregards suchseizure, theprovisions onseizure
incriminal cases ingeneral shallapply.
Without prejudice totheprovisions ofthefirstparagraph theCourt may,where thereareextraordinary
reasons, uponrequest, decide thattheowner ofaproperty referred tointhefirstparagraph mayhave
therighttousetheproperty fortheremainder ofthetimeofthevalidity ofthepatent, orpartofthat
time, against thepayment ofanequitable compensation andsubject toother reasonable conditions.
Theprovisions ofthefirsttothirdparagraphs apply alsoinrelation toactsofattempts orofpreparation
referred toinArticle 57,second paragraph.
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ThisActenters intoforce onJuly1,1994.IP/N/1/SWE/P/1
Page36
THE MINISTRY OFJUSTICE
Stockholm
ACT
AMENDING THE PATENTS ACT (1967:837)
(Act1994:1511 ofDecember 16,1994)
Inaccordance withthedecision bytheParliament itis,asregards thePatents Act(1967:837), prescribed
thatArticles 107to114shallnolonger apply, and
thatArticles 105and106shallreadasfollows.
Article 105.Anyone whoapplies foradditional protection ofapharmaceutical product under the
European Community Regulation (EEG) No1768/92 ofJune18,1992, onadditional protection for
pharmaceutical products shallpaytheprescribed application fee.
Alsotheannual feeshallbepaidinrespect ofsuchadditional protection. Theyearforwhich thefee
shallbepaidshallbecalculated fromthedateonwhich theprotection commenced andthereafter from
thecorresponding date.
Article 106.Theprovisions ofChapter 9onliability shallapply alsototheadditional protection.
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1.ThisActenters intoforce onthesame dateastheActconcerning theaccession ofSweden tothe
European Union.
2.Theprovisions earlier inforce apply asregards anyadditional protection granted before theentry
intoforce.