How digitization takes the crease out of patent filing & processing

BANGALORE, INDIA: Online filing has jumped from under 30% to over 80% in just a year, thanks to the digitization initiatives taken up by the government to promote the Intellectual Property(IP) ecosystem in the country.

This was done by easing of access to the IP system, bringing efficiency in processing of IP applications, ensuring uniformity and consistency in the examination of applications, transparency and dissemination of IP information, bilateral cooperation at the international level, and raising the awareness level.

So what brings the change?

Some of the important measures that have been taken to create a strong and vibrant IP regime in India are:

1. Comprehensive online e-filing facilities for patent and trademark applications. An applicant can file an application virtually 24x7 and applications can be filed from the comfort of their workplace/ homes as well.

2. To encourage online filing of the applications, a 10% rebate on online filing of applications and documents has been introduced. 50% fee reduction has been provided for MSMEs as well.

3. The official website provides vast information relating to patents, trademarks, designs and geographical indications.

4. Introduced the complete electronic processing of Patents and Trademarks applications through specialized modules. To cater to the immense flow of the papers filed, a single central server at IPO Delhi is in place.

5. Automatic generation of application numbers as also automatic allotment of the request for examination which is sequential and thus transparent and user-friendly.

6. An innovative tool, showing the stock and flow of patents and trademarks applications at every stage of its processing, has ushered in transparency.

7. The IP Office allowed the e-filers the facility of using debit cards, credit cards and internet banking of over 70 banks for making payment of fees for all forms.

8. The real time status of  with entire file wrappers and e-registers is now open to the public, providing a strong tool to the public that can now be an integral part of the IP system.