84 STAT. ]
PUBLIC LAW 91-577-DEC. 24, 1970
by nationals of the United States, shall have the same effect as the same application would have if filed in the United States on the date on which the ai^plication for plant variety protection for the same variety was first filed in snch foreign country, if the application in this country is filed within twelve months from the earliest date on which such foreign application was filed. No application shall be entitled to a right of priority under this section, unless the applicant designates the foreign application in his application or by amendment thereto and, if required by the Secretary, furnishes such copy, translation or both, as the Secretary may specify. (b) An application for a certificate of plant variety protection for the same variety as was the subject of an application previously filed in the United States by or on behalf of the same person, or by his predecessor in title, shall have the same effect as to such variety as though filed on the date of the prior application if filed before the issuance of the certificate or other termination of proceedings on the first application or on an application similarly entitled to the benefit of the filing date of the first application and if it contains or is amended to contain a specific reference to the earlier filed application. (c) A later application shall not by itself establish that a characteristic newly described was in the variety at the time of the earlier application. Sec. 56. Confidential Status of Application. Applications for plant variety protection and their contents shall be kept in confidence by the Plant Variety Protection Office, by the Board, and by the offices in the Department of Agriculture to which access may be given under regulations. No information concerning the same shall be given without the authority of the owner, unless necessary under special circumstances as may be determined by the Secretary, except that the Secretary may publish the variety names designated m applications, stating the kind to which each applies. Sec. 57. Publication. The Secretary may establish regulations for the publication of any pending application when publication is requested by the owner. Chapter 6.—EXAMINATION, RESPONSE APPEALS
TIME, INITIAL
Sec. 61. Examination of Application. The Secretary shall cause an examination to be made of the application and if on such examination it is determined that the applicant is entitled to plant variety protection under the law, the Secretary shall issue a notice of allowance of plant variety protection therefor as hereinafter provided. Sec. 62. Notice of Refusal; Reconsideration. (a) Whenever an application is refused, or any objection or requirement made by the examiner, the Secretary shall notify the applicant thereof, stating the reasons therefor, together with such information and references as may be useful in judging the propriety of continuing the prosecution of the application; and if after receiving such notice the applicant requests reconsideration, with or without amendment, the application shall be reconsidered. (b) For taking appropriate action after the mailing to him of an action other than allowance, an applicant shall be allowed six months, or such other time as the Secretary in exceptional circumstances shall set in the refusal, or such time as he may allow as an extension. Without such extension, action may be taken up to three months lat^ by paying an additional fee to be prescribed by the Secretary.
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