Patents Act, 1970
18. Powers of Controller in cases of anticipation
(1) Where it appears to the Controller that the invention so far
as claimed in any claim of the complete specification has been anticipated in
the manner referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of
section 13, he may refuse to accept the complete specification unless the
applicant-
(a) shows to the satisfaction of the
Controller that the priority date of the claim of his complete specification is
not later than the date on which the relevant document was published; or
(b) amends his complete specification to the
satisfaction of the Controller.
(2) If it appears to the Controller that the invention is
claimed in a claim of any other complete specification referred to in clause
(b) of sub-section (1) of section 13, he may, subject to the provisions
hereinafter contained, direct that a reference to that other specification
shall be inserted by way of notice to the public in the applicant's complete
specification unless within such time as may be prescribed-
(a) the applicant shows to the satisfaction of
the Controller that the priority date of his claim is not later than the
priority date of the claim of the said other specification; or
(b) the complete specification is amended to
the satisfaction of the Controller;
(3) If it appears to the Controller, as a result of an
investigation under section 13 or otherwise-
(a) that the invention so far as claimed in
any claim of the applicant's complete specification has been claimed in any
other complete specification referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of
section 13; and
(b) that such other complete specification was
published on or after the priority date of the applicant's claim, then, unless
it is shown to the satisfaction of the Controller that the priority date of the
applicant's claim is not later than the priority date of the claim of that
specification, the provisions of sub-section (2) shall apply thereto in the
same manner as they apply to a specification published on or after the date of
filing of the applicant's complete specification.
(4) Any order of the Controller under sub-section (2) or sub-section
(3) directing the insertion of a reference to another complete specification
shall be of no effect unless and until the other patent is granted.