Singapore legislation
Clause 59
of Patents Bill
Clause 59
Opposition, appeal and arbitration
(1)
The proprietor of a patent or any other person wishing to oppose an application under sections 55 to 58 may, in accordance with the rules, give to the Registrar notice of opposition; and the Registrar shall consider the opposition in deciding whether to grant the application.
(2)
Where an appeal is brought from an order made by the Registrar in pursuance of an application under sections 55 to 58 or from a decision of his to make an entry in the register in pursuance of such an application or from a refusal of his to make such an order or entry, the Attorney-General, or such other counsel as he may appoint, shall be entitled to appear and be heard.
(3)
Where an application under sections 55 to 58 is opposed under subsection (1), and either —
the parties consent; or
the proceedings require a prolonged examination of documents or any scientific or local investigation which cannot in the opinion of the Registrar conveniently be made before him,the Registrar may at any time order the whole proceedings, or any question or issue of fact arising on them, to be referred to an arbitrator agreed on by the parties or, in default of agreement, appointed by the Registrar.
(4)
The arbitrator to whom any reference is made under subsection (3) shall report his findings to the Registrar.
(5)
The expenses of and incidental to a reference to an arbitrator under subsection (3) shall, in default of agreement between the parties, be borne equally by the parties to the reference.