The office of Controller General Patents, Designs & Trademarks recently announced the publication of a new “Manual of Patent Office (Practice and Procedure)”. The new manual has been designed to incorporate changes relating to the recent amendments, reengineering of patent procedures and automation in the operational practices and procedures of the Patent Office. The new manual can be accessed at: http://www.ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/Images/pdf/Manual_for_Patent_Office_Practice_and_Procedure_.pdf

WIPR 2019 sub-titled “The Geography of Innovation: Local Hotspots, Global Networks” was recently released. It examines the evolution of innovation and concludes that innovation is becoming increasingly global and interconnected.

A key finding of the report suggests that ten “hotspots” account for most international co-inventions. One such “hotspot” is Bengaluru, India; others being San Jose, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Beijing etc.

Another key finding suggests increase in patenting and scientific publishing activity in India, among other countries.

WIPR 2019 can be accessed at  https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2019/article_0013.html

Draft Designs (Amendment) Rules, 2019 inviting objections from the public have been issued. Proposed amendments include: (i) substitution of existing classification of goods with the International Classification for Industrial Designs (pursuant to India’s accession to Locarno Agreement in June 2019); (ii) recognition of ‘Start-ups’ as a separate category of Applicants (like in Patents); and (iii) adoption of a simpler 2-tier arrangement of official fee wherein natural persons, start-ups as well as small entities are all entitled to 75% concession on all official fee.

Draft Designs Rules, 2019 can be accessed at http://ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/Images/pdf/213355_1__Design.pdf.

Towards amendment of the Patents Rules, 2003, Draft Rules titled ‘Patents (2^nd Amendment) Rules, 2019’ have been published, inviting comments from the public over a 30 day period.

The Draft Rules, amongst other things, propose to extend the (up to 80%) concession in statutory official charges available to natural persons and start-ups, to small entities as well.

The Draft Rules can be accessed at http://ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/Images/pdf/213319_2_Patent.pdf.  

In a recent press release, launch of the website and the mobile application “Learn to Protect, Secure and Maximize Your Innovation” [L2Pro India] was announced. L2Pro India is an e-learning platform which is designed to enable Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, students and startups in India to understand and protect their IP, and to bring their innovations to market promptly. The website and the mobile application have been developed by CIPAM-DPIIT in collaboration with Qualcomm and National Law University, Delhi.