Patent Act Section 51 — Government use of a patent

A ministry, bureau or department may exercise a patent right itself or through another for public utilities, national defence, conserving or acquiring natural resources or the environment, preventing or relieving a serious shortage of food, medicine or consumer goods, or other public interest, without being bound by the conditions in Sections 46, 47 and 47 bis. It must apply to the Director-General, offering remuneration and conditions. Under Section 52, in war or an emergency the Prime Minister with Cabinet approval may order use of any patent for national defence and security, with fair remuneration and written notice to the patentee, who may appeal to the court within sixty days of notice.