This benefit was earlier available to all recognized educational institutions owned by the government
The government on Thursday said that the patent fee for all educational institutions has been reduced by 80%, with an aim to promote innovation and development of new technologies.
This benefit was earlier available to all recognized educational institutions owned by the government.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that these institutes engage in several research activities, where professors/teachers and students generate many new technologies, which need to be patented to facilitate its commercialisation.
The high patent fee presents a restrictive element to patenting these technologies and thus acts as a deterrent to the development of new technologies.
“In another significant push towards Mission Atmanirbhar Bharat, the benefits related to 80% lower fee for patent filing and prosecution have also been extended to educational institutions. The Center has notified amendments to the patent rules in this regard,” Said it.
According to a notification, Educational Institution means a University established or incorporated by or under Central, Provincial or State laws and includes any other educational institution recognized by an authority designated by the Central, State or Union Territories.
The ministry said that while applying for patents, innovators have to apply these patents in the name of institutions, which have to pay fees for large applicants, which are “too high and thus seen as disruptive”. work in”.
In this regard and to encourage greater participation of educational institutions which play a vital role in the innovation of the country, the official fee payable by them in respect of various Acts under the Patents Rules, 2003 has been reduced through Patent (Amendment) has gone. ) Rules, 2021, which came into force on 21st September.
Further, it said that the ministry has taken several steps, due to which the time taken for verification of patents has come down from an average of 72 months in 2015 to 12-30 months at present, depending on the technology sectors.
“It is expected that the time for final disposal of patent applications, which has come down from a few years ago to an average of 48 months at present, will be reduced to an average of 24-30 months by the end of 2021,” it added.
An accelerated examination system has been introduced wherein an application for grant of patent is being decided within one year of filing of such request.
It said, “The fastest granted patent is the one which was granted in 41 days after the filing of such request. This facility of rapid examination system was initially provided for patent applications filed by startups.”
This facility has now been extended to eight more categories of patent applicants with effect from 17 September 2019 by making necessary amendments in the Patent Manual.
These categories include SMEs, women applicants, government departments, institutions established by a central, provincial or state act, owned or controlled by the government, and government companies.
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