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Patents Act, 1978 (Act No. 57 of 1978)

Chapter VI : Grant, duration and effect of patents

46. Duration of patent

 

 

(1) The duration of a patent shall, unless otherwise provided in this Act, be 20 years from the date of application therefor, subject to payment of the prescribed renewal fees by the patentee concerned or an agent.

[Sub-section (1) substituted by section 41 of Act No. 38 of 1997.]

 

(2) A patent shall lapse at the end of the period prescribed for the payment of any prescribed renewal fee, if it is not paid within that period: Provided that the registrar may upon application and subject to the payment of such additional fee as may be prescribed, extend the period for payment of any such fee for a period not exceeding six months.