(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules amend the Patents Rules 1995 (S.I. 1995/2093). In addition to minor and drafting amendments, these Rules–
(a)extend the hours during which public inspection of the register is permitted, to between 9am and 5pm on business days (rule 7);
(b)revoke the provisions of rule 79 (entries in the Register of European Patents) (rule 9);
(c)extend the hours for certain transaction of business of the Patent Office from 4pm to 5pm (rule 11);
(d)make Tuesday 4th January 2000 an excluded day; that is to say a day on which the Patent Office is closed for the purposes of the transaction by the public of business with that Office (rule 12).
These Rules take effect on 4th May 1999.