Definition: The Roman 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 thepatentee.
2. - §1. To whom patents are granted. Every person, whether a citizen of the estates of the pope or foreigner, man or woman, adult or infant, 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 Roman government may, afterwards, without any compromise of their rights or privileges, receive a patent in a foregn country.
3. The different kinds of patents. In the Roman estates there are granted patents for invention, for improvements, and for importations.
4. - 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.
5. - 2d. Patents for improvements may be granted for any useful improvement made to inventions already known and used in the Roman states.
6. - 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 Roman states.
7. - 3. 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 ten Roman crowns per annum for a patent for invention and improvement, and of fifteen crowns a year for a patent for importation.
8. - §4. Obligation of the patentee. He is required to bring into uue 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.
9. He is required to pay one balf 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.
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