Summary heading
Function and purpose
This series consists of policy and case files relating to
patents. The records relate specifically to the secrecy provisions applicable
to Patents during World War II. These provisions required that patented inventions
useful to the war effort not be disclosed to enemy interests. The records
include correspondence to relevant departments to determine the worth of
patented inventions and whether they should be prohibited from publication, and
any subsequent correspondence lifting an imposed prohibition. The records also
include policy decisions made on the payment of royalties and any legal
opinions that were given as part of the submission. Approval of such royalties
was at the discretion of the Attorney General. Some files include
correspondence related to international patent agreements.
Related legislation
Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Copyright (War Powers) Act
1939
National Security (General) Regulations
Statutory Rules 1939/125 and 1940/82
Using the series
The files within this series use a single number system with
P prefix that can be cross-referenced against their control records in CRS
A478. The records in CRS A478 are arranged alphabetically by company name or
surname of the applicant. The cards typically include the patent application
number (see CRS A627) and whether the card relates to a W prefix (CRS A472) or
to a P prefix (CRS A475) item.
The patent applications themselves use an annual single
number series. There is a loose correlation between the single number system
with P prefix and the annual single number system used to control the patent
applications (ie there is a loose, and sometimes inconsistent, chronological
order to the files).
Physical characteristics
The majority of these files are in good condition.
Typically, the files are thin, housed in brown manila folders, and the paper is
that which was commonly used during the WWII era. The files were reboxed into
archival quality containers by the Agency prior to transfer to NAA custody in
July and August 2006.
System of arrangement and control
This series uses a single number system with P prefix. As
noted above there is a loose correlation between the single number system with
P prefix and the annual single number system used to control the patent
applications (ie there is a loose, and sometimes inconsistent, chronological
order to the files).
Relationships with other records
Finding aids
Series was entered to RecordSearch at item level as part of
the transfer process in August 2006.
Series history
The records within this series were originally transferred
into NAA custody on 16/7/1952.
CRS A475 Items P1000-P2353 were withdrawn for sentencing by
the Agency controlling (CA 8551 – Intellectual Property Australia) on March 6th,
2000.
CRS A475 Items P1000-P2352 were transferred from the Agency
controlling (CA 8551 – Intellectual Property Australia) to the NAA in August
2006. (The whereabouts of P2353 are unknown. The Agency advised that this
record was not known to be within their custody)
Former series descriptive note
“<PRE>This
series consists of policy and case files relating to patents. Many files were
top-numbered into this series from A472 in 1945. Some of the files in this
series were top-numbered into A432. Top-numberings are noted in the
registration and movement book for files in this series, in A474 and A477 (the
subject index and register for A472) and in A478.
</PRE>”
Additional information
Sources