^{page no 459 note *} Switzerland, China, and Japan have no patent law.

^{page no 460 note *} On this subject the Commissioners state, in their recent Report, that “They have been pressed with the opinion, that the cost of obtaining letters-patent is still so high as to be an insuperable bar to the poor inventor in obtaining the protection to whichhe is fairly entitled.”—Report, p. v. Lond 1865.

^{page no 462 note *} On this subject the commissioners make the following statement:—

“The evil arising from the multiplicity of monoplies is alleged to be of a twofold nature. In the first place, that of the existence of a number of patents for alleged inventions of a trivial character; in the second place, that of the granting of patents for inventions which are either old or practically useless, and are employed by the patentees only to embarrass rival manufacturers.”—Report, p. v. London, 1865.

These allegations submitted to the commissioners are not supported by specific facts, and are the mere opinions of interested parties. Before giving effect to such allegations, we may demand the following information :—

1st. A list of alleged inventions of a trivial character.

2d. A list of old patents that have embarrassed rival manufacturers.

3d. A list of practically useless patents that have embarrassed rival manufacturers.

4th. A list of the embarrassments occasioned to rival manufacturers by old, trivial, and useless patents; and,

5th. A list of actions for the infringement of patents, with the grounds upon which their validity was challenged.

^{page no 464 note *} In the Report of the recent Commission, it is stated that the Commissioners “find a very general expression of opinion that the price to be paid by inventors in the aggregate, should not be more than sufficient to provide for the expenses of the Patent Office Library and Museum.”—Report p. x. Lond. 1805.