Observations by third party on patentability
32.—(1)  Where an application for a patent has been published, any other person may make observations in writing to the Registrar on the question whether the invention is a patentable invention, stating reasons for the observations, and the Registrar must, subject to subsection (2), consider the observations in accordance with the rules.
(2)  The observations must be received by the Registrar before the Registrar sends to the applicant in the application for the patent —
(a)a copy of an examination report under section 29(4);
(b)a copy of a search and examination report under section 29(5); or
(c)a copy of a supplementary examination report under section 29(6).
(3)  A person does not become a party to any proceedings under this Act before the Registrar by reason only that the person makes observations under this section.
[Act 23 of 2019 wef 01/10/2021]