Context: The central government introduced Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021 which reduced the fee for patent filing and prosecution for educational institutions by 80 percent.
Background

• The high patenting fee was a hindrance for educational institutions in getting newer research and technologies patented. 
• While applying for patents, innovators had to apply for these in the name of institutions that were required to pay exorbitant patenting fees. 
• However, now the official fees payable by them in reference to the Patents Rules, 2003, have been reduced through the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021.

Key Points

• The move has been taken to strengthen innovation and creativity in the knowledge economy.
• This can be achieved by facilitating commercialization of research undertaken in educational institutions.

Other Amendments

• In addition to that the government amended the patent rules in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 to remove procedural inconsistencies and unnecessary steps in the processing of patent applications thereby. 
• These have helped expedite the grant, registration and final disposal process, and make these more efficient, user-friendly, and compatible for e-transactions.

Key Initiatives in this direction include:-

• augmentation of manpower by recruiting new examiners; 
• making the patenting process completely online; 
• hearing of patenting cases through video-conferencing for speedy and contact-less proceedings; 
• dynamic redesigning of the website and real-time based hassle-free dissemination of IP information to stakeholders.

Further to strengthen the mechanism of lodging feedback and complaints Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in collaboration with the office of Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) is regularly engaged in the dissemination of information to IP stakeholders through awareness activities in IPR which are conducted for schools, universities, industries, legal and enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.
Extension of Expedited Examination System

• The fastest granted patent is the one which was granted in 41 days after filing of such request. This facility of Expedited Examination system was initially provided for patent applications filed by Startups.

It has been now extended to 8 more categories of Patent Applicants

• SME (Small and Medium Enterprises), Female applicants, Government Departments, Institutions established by a Central, Provincial or State Act, Government Company, an Institution wholly or substantially financed by the Government and applicants under Patents Prosecution Highway.
• The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is a set of initiatives for providing accelerated patent prosecution procedures by sharing information between some patent offices.

By: Shubham Tiwari