SEARCH FOR A SPECIFIC TOPIC
Tags Indian Patent Office

Tag: Indian Patent Office

January 21, 2025
|

Essentially Biological Processes for Production of Plan...

Indian law excludes from patentability ‘essentially biological processes’ under Section 3(j) of the Patents Act, but does not explain what degree of human intervention can shift an invention away from being deemed ‘essentially biological’. A recent decision of the Madras High Court attempts an interpretation of this provision, highlighting also the importance of well reasoned orders from the patent office. ......
January 16, 2025
|

In Perfect Time: When to file divisional applications

Divisional applications must be filed before the parent patent application is granted or rejected, but getting the timing right can be tricky, especially when it is not known as to when the grant or rejection will actually take place. A recent case from the Madras High Court offers insights as to when divisional applications must be filed in different scenarios. ......
May 24, 2024
|

Patent non-disclosures turn out costly for Google in In...

False or incomplete disclosures can be costly - this follows from a recent decision of the Delhi High Court, where the global technology giant Google had to not just forgo its patent application for not meeting conditions of patentability, but also pay a fine for not providing complete and correct information of corresponding foreign filings in connection with the application. ......
February 15, 2024
|

Patentability of Diagnostic Methods in India

Among the many exclusions to patentability, the Indian Patents Act, 1970 (“the Act”) also excludes “diagnostic methods” under Section 3(i). But the term itself has been applied inconsistently by the Indian Patent Office (“IPO”). This note discusses a recent decision of the Madras High Court on the interpretation of this term and its implications on related patent applications. ......
October 13, 2022
|

Shrinking Space: Are Narrowed Patent Claims Valid Amend...

Much emphasis is placed in patent law on the importance of filing for protection as early as possible in the inventive process, in order to obtain necessary rights and benefits. But these applications are by no means set in stone. There is room to amend patent applications, and in India, amendments can be done both while an application is pending, and after a patent has been granted, subject to appropriate permissions from the Controller. ......
September 29, 2022
|

Getting to Grant: Patent Prosecution in India

Patent prosecution is the centerpiece of the process of obtaining a patent. The proceedings during prosecution serve as important legal guidance on the patentability of the invention, and successful prosecution is key to ensuring that patent rights are protected. ......
August 29, 2022
|

Fast Tracking through the Patent Prosecution Highway in...

Patents, like other forms of intellectual property, are jurisdiction specific. In other words, you obtain protection only in those jurisdictions where you have sought protection. The application process is long, and can stretch for months, or even years on end. While the end result, if successful, can be immensely satisfying and rewarding, the prospect of having to repeat this process in other countries can be quite overwhelming. ......
August 10, 2022
|

Extraordinary exceptions to deadlines at the Indian Pat...

When hardcoded statutory deadlines are violated, can delays be condoned? This was the central question answered by the Delhi High Court in The European Union Represented by the European Commission vs. Union of India. The court allowed for an extension of a non-extendable statutory deadline in a patent matter because of the exceptional circumstances of the case. ......
August 2, 2022
|

Do scientific publications exempt patent applications f...

One of the three universal requirements for the grant of a patent is that the patent must be for a new invention. The Indian Patents Act, 1970 (the Act) defines a ‘new invention’ in Section 2(l) as ‘any invention or technology which has not been anticipated by publication in any document or used in the country or elsewhere in the world before the date of filing of patent application with complete specification. ......

Removal of fetters on the Arbitration process: Arbitration is not foreclosed due to pendin...

The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 was enacted to facilitate expeditious and affordable resolution of disputes pertaining to in-personam rights arising out of contractual disputes between private parties.

Timing it Right: Delhi High Court on Pre-Grant Oppositions in India

What happens when a pre-grant opposition is filed after the Controller signs a patent application to grant? This knotty question was answered by the Delhi High Court in a recent case.

Navigating Share Transfer Restrictions in Shareholders’ Agreements Part 2

In our previous Article, we explored the foundational aspects of share transfer restrictions in shareholder agreements ("SHAs"), with a focus on concepts such as tag-along rights, drag-along rights, permitted and automatic transfers, amongst others and the interplay with the Companies Act, 2013 (the "Act").

Collection of Children’s Data under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act: Not Ch...

The protection of children's personal data has and continues to present regulatory and practical challenges for lawmakers, businesses, organisations, institutions and establishments that deal with personal data ("Data Fiduciary").

When “Ok” Becomes “Not Ok”: A cautionary tale of miscommunication from the Indian Patent O...

An important step during patent prosecution in India is the hearing. As the Indian Patent Office (IPO) tends to issue only a single examination report, hearings before the Controller are common.

Navigating Share Transfer Restrictions in Shareholders’ Agreements

Transfer restrictions in shareholder agreements ("SHA(s)") have come to play a critical role in shaping deal dynamics. With India reporting a steady growth in mergers and acquisitions ("M&A"), questions of control, transfer restrictions, ownership flexibility and exit options have become crucial for investors and companies alike.

The Infringer’s Burden in Process Patent Suits in India

Indian patent law contains a unique provision that shifts the burden of proof onto the accused / infringer in process patent suits. But this applies only if certain conditions are met.

NCLT’s Jurisdiction for Fraud in Oppression and Mismanagement Petitions: The Supreme...

The role of the National Company Law Tribunal ("NCLT") as a specialised forum under company law has often led to questions around the exact scope of its jurisdiction.

Can a Trade Mark be opposed in India before it is Advertised for Opposition?

In India, the law provides for formal opposition to a trademark application only after it is advertised, but can a third party intervene even during the pre-advertisement stage?

Essential Clauses in a Contract – Force Majeure in light of Regulatory Shifts and Co...

In August 2025, Dream11, an Indian fantasy sports platform, terminated its Rs. 358 Crore sponsorship agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India ("BCCI").