The Patents Act,1970
Section 76. Officers and employees not to furnish information, etc.
An officer or employee in the patent office shall not, except when required or authorised by this Act or under a direction in writing of the 1[Central Government or Appellate Board] or the Controller or by order of a court
(a) furnish information on a matter which is being, or has been, dealt with under this Act 2[x x x]; or
(b) prepare to assist in the preparation of a document required or permitted by or under this Act 2[x x x] to be lodged in the patent office; or
(c) conduct a search in the records of the patent office.
———————
1. Substituted for “Central Government” by Patents (Amdt.) Act,2002, w.e.f. 20-5-2003 vide S.O. 561 (E), dt. 20-5-2003.
2. Words “or under the Indian Patents and Designs Act,1911” omitted, ibid.
