Patents Act, 1978 (Act No. 57 of 1978)Chapter XV : Offences and penalties83. Prohibition of trafficking in patents by officers or employees in patent office |
| (1) | Any officer or employee of the patent office who buys, sells, acquires or traffics in any invention or patent or any right under a patent, shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine not exceeding R500. |
| (2) | Every purchase, sale or acquisition, and every assignment of any invention or patent, by or to any such officer or employee shall be null and void. |
| (3) | Nothing in this section contained shall apply to the inventor or to any acquisition by bequest or devolution by operation of law. |