Section 51:
Power of Controller to give directions to co-owners.
(1)Where two or more persons are
registered as grantee or proprietor of a patent, the Controller may, upon application made to him in the
prescribed manner by any of those persons, give such directions in accordance with the application as to
the sale or lease of the patent or any interest therein, the grant of licences under the patent, or the exercise
of any right under section 50 in relation thereto, as he thinks fit.
(2) If any person registered as grantee or proprietor of a patent fails to execute any instrument or to do
any other thing required for the carrying out of any direction given under this section within fourteen days
after being requested in writing so to do by any of the other persons so registered, the Controller may,
upon application made to him in the prescribed manner by any such other person, give directions
empowering any person to execute that instrument or to do that thing in the name and on behalf of the
person in default.
(3) Before giving any directions in pursuance of an application under this section, the Controller shall
give an opportunity to be heard--
(a) in the case of an application under sub-section (1), to the other person or persons registered as
grantee or proprietor of the patent;
(b) in the case of an application under sub-section (2), to the person in default.
(4) No direction shall be given under this section so as to affect the mutual rights or obligation of
trustees or of the legal representatives of a deceased person or of their rights or obligations as such, or
which is inconsistent with the terms of any agreement between persons registered as grantee or proprietor
of the patent.