Filing date

(1) The Registrar shall accord as the filing date of an application for a patent, the date of receipt of the application, provided that at the time of its receipt, the following requirements are satisfied– (a) the documents filed contain an express or implied indication that the granting of a patent is sought; (b) the documents filed identify the applicant or (c) the documents filed contain information which, on the face of it, appears to be a description of the invention. (2) Where the application does not comply with the requirements of sub-section (1), the Registrar shall so inform the applicant in writing and shall invite him, subject to section 19, to file the required amendment. (3) The Registrar shall then accord, as the filing date, the date of receipt of the amendment referred to in sub-section (2). (4) Where the applicant fails to make the required amendment, the application shall be treated as if it had not been filed. (5) Where the application refers to drawings which are not included in the application, the Registrar shall invite the applicant to furnish the missing drawings and, if the applicant complies, the Registrar shall accord as the filing date of the application, the date of receipt of the missing drawings. (6) Where the applicant fails to comply with sub-section (5), the Registrar shall accord as the filing date of the application, the date of receipt of the application and shall treat any reference to the said drawings as non-existent. 22