Simplification of Patent and Copyright Registration : Report
A recent report by the Government of India states that simplification of patent and copyright registration is helping to make India an innovation hub.
Recent Initiatives taken by the Government to strengthen the Patent, Design and Trademark ecosystem:
- Simplified and streamlined Intellectual Property (IP) process: The process of registration has been rearranged. Also, a digital system has been adopted to facilitate and promote the filing and receipt of services. For example, end to end online processing of each application and hearing through video conferencing etc.
- Rapid Testing of Patents: Special focus is given on expediting the scrutiny of patents especially for applications filed by Startups, Women Entrepreneurs etc. (this can result in grant of patent within one year).
- Fee reduction: Fees for startups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs have been reduced by up to 80%.
Better access and transparency have been ensured for dissemination of information through real time based positioning of IP applications, Indian Patent Advanced Search System (InPASS), SMS alerts for applicants etc.
Impact of these initiatives:
- Patent and trademark registrations in India have increased four-fold in the last 5
- India has ranked 48th in the year 2020, improving from the 81st position achieved in the year 2015-16 in the Global Innovation Index: GII, which has been released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks:
- The Patents Act, 1970, the Designs Act, 2000 and the Trade Marks Act, 1999, supervise the working of the Act.
- It functions under the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Source – PIB
