XN000022-1979-04-25 — Page 28

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1979

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PATENTS BILL AMENDED

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THE REGISTRATION OF UK PATENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 HAS BEEN AMENDED TO GIVE A BROADER DEFINITION OF

THE SUGGESTION OF THE HON. PETER C. WONG.

INFRINGEMENT+ AT

MR. WONG ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO A PROPOSAL TO INCORPORATE SECTION 64 OF THE PATENTS ACT 1977 IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THIS SECTION GIVES A PERSON THE RIGHT TO CARRY ON DOING WHAT HE HAS DONE OR MADE PREPARATIONS TO DO SO BEFORE THE PRIORITY DATE OF A PATENT.

HOWEVER, SINCE THE ORDINANCE STATES THAT REGISTRATION IN HONG KONG WOULD CONFER ON THE APPLICANT THE PRIVILEGES AND RIGHTS OF THE UK PATENT AND SINCE ADOPTING THE SECTION AT THIS STAGE WOULD REQUIRE VERY CAREFUL THOUGHT AND DRAFTING, MR. WONG AGREED NOT TO PURSUE THE PROPOSAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PRESENT BILL.

EXEMPTION LIMIT OF ESTATE DUTY ON GIFTS

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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO LIFT THE PRESENT EXEMPTION LIMIT OF ESTATE DUTY ON GIFTS INTER VIVOS FROM $5,000 TO $50,000 -- WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ESTATE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED THE PROPOSAL IS TO PROVIDE THAT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSESSING ESTATE DUTY, GIFTS INTER VIVOS MADE BY THE DECEASED WHICH, IN THE CASE OF ANY ONE DONEE, DID NOT EXCEED IN THE AGGREGATE $50,000, WILL BE EXEMPTED.

+ THE AMENDMENT SHALL APPLY TO THE ESTATES OF PERSONS DYING ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 1979, + HE SAID.

+THE COST TO THE REVENUE OF THIS PROPOSAL IS ESTIMATED AT $200,000 A YEAR, HE ADDED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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