Section 17B

An application for a certificate for a utility innovation may be converted into an application for a patent.

A request to convert an application for a patent into an application for a certificate for a utility innovation or to convert an application for a certificate for a utility innovation into an application for a patent shall be filed by the applicant and shall comply with regulations made under this Act.

A request for conversion under this section shall be filed with the Registrar within the prescribed period.

Without prejudice to the power of the Registrar to allow conversion, the prescribed period referred to in subsection (4) shall not be extended under section 82.

A request for conversion under this section shall not be entertained unless the prescribed fee has been paid to the Registrar.

An application which has been converted shall be deemed to have been filed at the time the initial application was filed.

Patent and certificate for a utility innovation cannot both be granted for the same invention