Patents Act, 1970
91. Power of Controller to adjourn applications for
compulsory licenses, etc. in certain cases
(1) Where an application under section 84, section 86 or section
89, as the case may be, is made on the ground mentioned in clause (c) of
section 90 and the Controller is satisfied that the time which has elapsed
since the sealing of the patent has for any reason been insufficient to enable
the invention to be worked on a commercial scale to an adequate extent or to enable
the invention to be so worked to the fullest extent that is reasonably
practicable, he may, by order, adjourn the further hearing of the application
for such period not exceeding twelve months in the aggregate as appears to him
to be sufficient for the invention to be so worked:
PROVIDED that in any case where the patentee
establishes that the reason why a patented invention could not be worked as
aforesaid before the date of the application was due to any State or Central
Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder or any order of the government
imposed otherwise than by way of a condition for the working of the invention
in India or for the disposal of the patented articles or of the articles made
by the process or by the use of the patented plant, machinery, or apparatus,
then, the period of adjournment ordered under this sub-section shall be
reckoned from the date on which the period during which the working of the
invention was prevented by such Act, rule or regulation or order of government
as computed from the date of the application, expires.
(2) No adjournment under sub-section (1) shall be ordered unless
the Controller is satisfied that the patentee has taken with promptitude
adequate or reasonable steps to start the working of the invention in India on
a commercial scale and to an adequate extent.