Types of Patent Application in India
In India, the following types of patent applications can be filed for patent registration process
- Ordinary Application: This is the most common type of application and is filed by the applicant directly with the patent office
- Convention Application: It is filed by an applicant who has already filed a patent application in a convention country
- PCT International Application: This application is filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and is recognised in all member countries.
Validity Period of the Registered Patent Registration:
The validity period of a registered patent is 20 years from the date of filing
Steps: Patent Registration Process
The process of patent registration in India involves the following steps:
- Step 1: File the patent registration application with all the needed documents
- Step 2: After the application is filed, it is published in the official journal, which is available to the public
- Step 3: Submit a request for the patent application’s evaluation. The patent office will review the application after receiving the request for examination and issue a report on the invention’s patentability
- Step 4: If the patent office is satisfied with the patentability of the invention, it will grant the patent to the applicant.
Documents for Filing Patent Registration Application
The following documents are to be submitted along with a patent registration application:
- A complete specification of the invention, including the details of how it works and its applications
- A provisional application for the patent
- A declaration of inventorship and ownership of the invention
- Drawings and diagrams of the invention, if applicable
- Details of the applicant or owner of the invention.
What Are the Recent/Last Amendments in the Patent Act, 1970?
The most recent amendments to The Patent Act, 1970 were made in 2019. These amendments introduced several changes, such as:
- Software and business procedures are now included in the definition of an invention that qualifies for patent protection
- The term for the grant of a patent for pharmaceutical products was increased from 20 years to 20 years plus an additional 5 years
- The procedure for the expedited examination of patent applications was introduced.