The Secretary of State to
Minister Squiers.
Department of State,
Washington, October 30,
1905.
No. 556.]
Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 1321, of
the 1st ultimo, in regard to the suggestion made by the. President of
Cuba that the United States join in the “Treaty on patents of invention,
industrial drawings, and models and trade-marks,” drafted at the second
Pan-American conference in 1902, I inclose herewith a copy of a letter
from the Secretary of the Interior, by which he informs the department
that the Commissioner of Patents recommends that this country shall not
join in such a treaty and that he concurs in the commissioner’s
conclusion.
I am, etc.,
[Page 496]
[Inclosure.]
The Secretary of the
Interor to the Secretary of
State.
Department of the Interior,
Washington, October 24,
1905.
Sir: Your letter of the 9th ultimo has been
received, inclosing a copy of a dispatch from our minister at Habana
in regard to the suggestion made to him by the President of Cuba
that this country join in the “Treaty on patents of invention,
industrial drawings and models, and trade-marks,” drafted at the
second Pan-American congress in 1902.
In response thereto, I have the honor to advise you that the
Commissioner of Patents, to whom the matter was referred, reports
that the treaty contains many provisions contrary to the
requirements of the laws of this country, and would therefore make
necessary a revision of our laws for the purpose of giving it
effect. He further states that in several respects the amendments
necessary would be contrary to the fundamental principles upon which
the patent system of this country is based.
He adds that for the reasons set forth it would be unwise to make the
changes in the existing law of this country which would be necessary
to give effect to the treaty, and accordingly recommends that this
country shall not join in such treaty. I concur in his
conclusions.
Very respectfully,
