893.542/39: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
129. Department’s 393, November 27, 5 p.m.; and Legation’s mail despatch No. 2459 [2457], of December 4th.75
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has replied in a note, dated February 6th, quoting a statement of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Labor which reads as follows:
“The provisional regulations for the encouragement of industrial products were especially fixed for the encouragement of native industrial talent and are only of a temporary nature. They are by no means patent laws and regulations. In this connection it may be pointed out that article 20 of the said regulations specifies that after the promulgation of patent laws the regulations will be abolished. Furthermore, paragraph 2 of article No. 15 of the said regulations provides that no one who in selling and shipping foreign goods falsely represents them to be of his own manufacture can obtain sole rights in connection therewith; hence there is nothing in these regulations to injure foreign products.”
While I do not consider that this reply gives in any sense the assurances desired I am doubtful of the value of making any further representations at this time; and I shall accordingly refrain from so doing unless otherwise directed by the Department.