Atomic Energy Act, 1962
20. Special provisions as to inventions
(1) As from the
commencement of this Act, no patents shall be granted for inventions which in the
opinion of the Central Government are useful for or relate to the production,
control, use or disposal of atomic energy or the prospecting, mining,
extraction, production, physical and chemical treatment, fabrication,
enrichment, canning or use of any prescribed substance or radioactive substance
or the ensuring of safety in atomic energy operations.
(2) The prohibition
under sub-section (1) shall also apply to any invention of the nature specified
in that sub-section in respect of which an application for the grant of a
patent has been made to the Controller of Patents and Designs appointed under
the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911, before the commencement of this Act
and is pending with him at such commencement.
(3) The Central
Government shall have the power to inspect at any time any pending patent
application and specification before its acceptance and if it considers that
the invention relates to atomic energy, to issue directions to the Controller
of Patents and Designs to refuse the application on that ground.
(4) Any person, who
has made an invention which he has reason to believe relates to atomic energy,
shall communicate to the Central Government the nature and description of the
invention.
(5) Any person
desiring to apply for a patent abroad for an invention relating to or which he
has reason to believe relates to atomic energy shall obtain prior permission
from the Central Government before making the application abroad or
communicating the invention to any person abroad, unless three months have
elapsed since his request for permission was made to the Central Government and
no reply was received by him.
(6) The Controller of
Patents and Designs shall have the power to refer any application to the
Central Government for direction as to whether the invention is one relating to
atomic energy and the direction given. by the Central Government shall be
final.
(7) Any invention in
the field of atomic energy conceived whether in establishments controlled by
the Central Government or under any contract, sub-contract, arrangement or
other relationship with the Central Government shall be deemed to have been
made or conceived by the Central Government, irrespective of whether such
contract, sub-contract, arrangement or other relationship involves financial
participation of or assistance from the Central Government.
(8) Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911, the decision of
the Central Government on points connected with or arising out of this section
shall be final.