The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) issued a Public Notice (dated October 3, 2021) taking cognizance of the Supreme Court’s order of September 23, 2021 which states that in computing the period of limitation the period from March 15, 2020 till October 2, 2021 shall stand excluded. As per CDPDTM’s notice , the period of limitation under all IP statutes shall be computed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order.

Source: http://ipindia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/News/759_1_Public_Notice_03-10-2021.pdf 

The Supreme Court has vide its Order dated September 23, 2021 effectively recalled its suo moto order dated April 27, 2021, by which it had further extended indefinitely the limitation period in India.  It is noted that in computing the period of limitation the period from March 15, 2020 till October 2, 2021 shall stand excluded. The order is effective from October 3, 2021 and a period of 90 days grace will be provided.

The detailed order is available at: https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2021/10651/10651_2021_31_301_30354_Order_23-Sep-2021.pdf

The Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021 have been notified on September 21, 2021 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the ministry of commerce and industry. One of the major changes brought is that the educational institutions are now eligible for significant reduction in various fees payable to the Indian Patent Office.

Source: https://dpiit.gov.in/sites/default/files/Patents_Amendment_Rules_22September2021.pdf

It has been reported that with effect October 1, 2021, the Supreme Court will be recalling its suo moto order dated April 27, 2021, by which it had further extended the limitation period for filing of cases in light of the second Covid wave in India. The Court also indicated a 90-day buffer period would be given. The detailed Court Order setting out the terms and conditions is awaited.

Source: https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-recalls-suo-motu-limitation-extension-october-1-182251

The Delhi High Court recently announced (vide an office order) possibility of resumption of physical hearings in a restricted manner from August 16, on an experimental basis, subject to the pandemic situation. Further, virtual hearings are to continue for all urgent matters until August 13, 2021. All other pending routine/non-urgent matters listed before this Court between July 26, 2021 – August 13, 2021 stand adjourned en bloc, as per the schedule in the order.

The order be accessed here.