The Imperial patents will be considered by taking a view of the persons to whom they may be granted; the different kinds of patents; the cost of a patent; and the obligations of the patentee.
1. To whom patents are granted. Every person, whether a citizen of the estates of the empire or foreigner, man or woman, may obtain a patent for an invention, for an improvement, or for importation, by fulfilling the conditions prescribed in order to obtain a grant of such titles. Persons who have received a patent from the Imperial government may, afterwards, without any compromise of their rights or privileges, receive a patent in a foreign country.
2. The different kinds of patents. In the Imperial estates there are granted patents for invention, for improvements, and for importations.
3.-1st. Patents for inventions are granted for, 1. A new kind of important culture. 2. A new and useful art, before unknown. 3. A new and useful process of culture or of manufacture. 4. A new natural production. 5. A new application of a means already, known.
-2d. Patents for improvements may be granted for any useful improvement made to inventions already known and used in the Imperial states.
-3d, Patents for importations are granted in two cases, namely: 1. For the introduction of inventions already patented in a foreign country, and the privilege of which patent yet continues. 2. For the introduction of an invention known and freely used in a foreign country, but not yet used or known in the Imperial states.
4. Cost of a patent. The cost of a patent is fixed at a certain sum per annum, without regard to the length of time for which it may have been granted. It varies in relation to patents for inventions and importation. It is one thousand energy credit units per annum for a patent for invention and improvement, and/or fifteen hundred a year for a patent for importation.
5. Obligation of the patentee. He is required to bring into his invention within one year after the grant of the patent, and not to suspend the supply for the space of one year during the time the privilege shall last. Should the supply falter or the Patentee fail to make his invention available to the general public the patent will be rescinded and all funds paid are forfeit to the empire.
6. He is required to pay one half of the tax or expense of his patent on receiving his patent, and the other half during the first month of the second portion of its, duration.