"MADE IN GERMANY."
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It is probably the fact that so large a proportion of British-built motor vehicles are fitted with Germanmade magnetos that has promptly. turned the attention of many of us to the possibility of German patent rights' in this country having automatically expired. We consulted our own patent experts, Messrs. Boult, Wade and Tennant, on this matter with promptitude, and ascertained that, as a matter of fact, the declaration of war between the two countries does not in itself nullify respective patent rights therein. Nevertheless, of course, it becomes a matter of urgent national importance that Great Britain, for instance, should not be deprived of supplies of which it has more or less urgent need solely on account of the fact that British manufacturers having facilities to do so cannot manufacture because of such patent restrictions. it is, therefore, we understand, contemplated with little delay to empower the Board of Trade to issue an order which will confer the right for manufa,cturers to produce • any German patented article which in the opinion of the Board it is advisable, from the national point of view, should be produced in this country. -In the meantime, until such regulations are issued, we must advise those who are contemplating the possibility of " starting in on" the manufacture of certain articles for which there is a great demand, and which have hitherto been "made in Germany," to hold their hands for the present. Production of this kind without proper authority, and solely on the supposition that a state of war automatically nullifies international patent rights, will lead to trouble. Relief, in so far as it he necessary from the national point of view, we may feel quite sure will be forthcoming with as little delay as has characterized the other prompt and admirable Government measures which have been taken to deal with the many urgent financial and similar problems of the present crisis.
We have already received considerable correspondence on this subject, and this has our urgent attention. We are in touch with the best advice and shall welcome further communications, in order that we may so far as possible have available as many opinions as we can collect on this subject, which is, of course, of considerable moment. isis)