ONLINE CERTIFICATE COURSE ION I

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

THE PATENTS ACT I1970

1. INTRODUCTION OF PATENT

Patent iis ia ibranch iof iIntellectual iProperty iLaw iwhich ideals iwith ideals iwith inew
iinventions. iTraditional patents protect itangible iscientific iinventions, isuch ias icircuit
iboards, icar iengines, iheating icoils, ior izippers ietc. iAccording ito iOxford iLaw
idictionary iPatent imeans i‘the igrant iof iexclusive iright ito iexploit ian iinvention’. iAn
iapplicant iof ipatent imust ishow ithat ithe iinvention iis inew, inot iobvious iand iis icapable
ion iIndustrial iapplication. i

A ipatent iis ian iexclusive iright igranted iby ia icountry ito ithe iowner iof ian iinvention ito
imake, iuse, imanufacture iand imarket ithe iinvention, iprovided ithe iinvention isatisfies
icertain iconditions istipulated iin ithe ilaw. iExclusivity iof iright iimplies ithat ino ione ielse
ican imake, iuse, imanufacture ior imarket ithe iinvention iwithout ithe iconsent iof ithe
ipatent iholder. iThis iright iis iavailable ionly ifor ia ilimited iperiod iof itime. iHowever,
ithe iuse ior iexploitation iof ia ipatent imay ibe iaffected iby iother ilaws iof ithe icountry
iwhich ihas iawarded ithe ipatent. iThese ilaws imay irelate ito ihealth, isafety, ifood,
isecurity ietc. iFurther, iexisting ipatents iin isimilar iarea imay ialso icome iin ithe iway.

A ipatent iin ithe ilaw iis ia iproperty iright iand ihence, ican ibe igifted, iinherited, iassigned,
isold ior ilicensed. iAs ithe iright iis iconferred iby ithe iState, iit ican ibe irevoked iby ithe
iState iunder ivery ispecial icircumstances ieven iif ithe ipatent ihas ibeen isold ior ilicensed
ior imanufactured ior imarketed iin ithe imeantime. iThe ipatent iright iis iterritorial iin

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inature iand iinventors/their iassignees iwill ihave ito ifile iseparate ipatent iapplications iin
icountries iof itheir iinterest, ialong iwith inecessary ifees, ifor iobtaining ipatents iin ithose
icountries. iA ipatent iis ian iofficial idocument igiven ito ian iinventor iby ithe igovernment
iallowing ihim ito iexclude ianyone ielse ifrom icommercially iexploiting ihis iinvention ifor
ia ilimited iperiod iwhich iis i20 iyears iat ipresent. i

India ihas ibecome isignatory ito imany iinternational iarrangements iwith ian iobjective iof
istrengthening iits ipatent ilaw iand icoming iin ileague iwith ithe imodern iera. iOne iof ithe
isignificant isteps itowards iachieving ithis iobjective iwas ibecoming ithe imember iof ithe
iTrade iRelated iIntellectual iProperty iRights i(TRIPS) isystem. iThe iPatents iAct i1970,
ialong iwith ithe iPatents iRules i1972, icame iinto iforce ion i20th April i1972, ireplacing
ithe iIndian iPatents iand iDesigns iAct i1911. iThe iPatents iAct iwas ilargely ibased ion ithe
irecommendations iof ithe iAyyangar iCommittee iReport iheaded iby iJustice iN.
iRajagopala iAyyangar. iOne iof ithe irecommendations iwas ithe iallowance iof ionly
iprocess ipatents iwith iregard ito iinventions irelating ito idrugs, imedicines, ifood iand
ichemicals. iAs iper ithe iSupreme iCourt, ithe iobject iof iPatent iLaw iis ito iencourage
iscientific iresearch, inew itechnology iand iindustrial iprogress. iGrant iof iexclusive
iprivilege ito iown, iuse ior isell ithe imethod ior ithe iproduct ipatented ifor ia ilimited
iperiod, istimulates inew iinventions iof icommercial iutility. i

The iprice iof ithe igrant iof ithe imonopoly iis ithe idisclosure iof ithe iinvention iat ithe
iPatent iOffice, iwhich, iafter ithe iexpiry iof ithe ifixed iperiod iof ithe imonopoly, ipasses
iinto ithe ipublic idomain. iBy igranting ian iexclusive iright, ipatents iprovide iincentives ito
iindividuals, ioffering ithem irecognition ifor itheir icreativity iand imaterial ireward ifor
itheir imarketable iinventions. iIn ireturn ifor ithe iexclusive iright, ithe iinventor ihas ito
iadequately idisclose ithe ipatented iinvention ito ithe ipublic, iso ithat iothers ican igain ithe
inew iknowledge iand ican ifurther idevelop ithe itechnology. iThe idisclosure iof ithe
iinvention iis ithus ian iessential iconsideration iin iany ipatent igranting iprocedure.

2. PRODUCT IAND IPROCESS IPATENTS

The iproduct ipatent iprotects ia iproduct iand iit ioffers ihigh iprotection ito ithe ioriginal
iinventor ito ireduce ithe icompetition ifor ithe isame iproduct. iWhereas, ithe iprocess ipatent
iprotects ithe iprocess ithrough iwhich ione imanufactures ithe iproduct iand inot ithe
iproduct. iSection i5 iof ithe iPatent iAct i1970 iprovided ifor igrant iof ionly iprocess

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ipatents iin icertain icategories iof iinventions. iIt imay ibe ipointed iout ihere ithat iunder ithe
iPatent iAct, i1970, iin iall iother iareas iproduct iand iprocess ipatents icould ibe iissued iand
ihave ibeen iissued. iThe iParis iConvention ihas ileft ithis iissue ito ibe idealt iwith iin ithe
iStates ilegislation iin ia imanner iof iits iown ichoice. i

 Product iPatent

As iper iProduct iPatent, ithe ipatent iis igranted ito ithe ioriginal iinventor iof ithe iproduct.
iThere iare ia icertain icharacteristic ifeatures iof ia iProduct iPatent:

a) The igrant iof ia product ipatent implies ithat ionly ithe iinventor ican imanufacture ithe
isame iproduct iusing ithe isame iprocess ior iany iother iprocess.

b) The iProduct iPatent iprovides ia i‘True iMonopoly’ iright ito ithe iinventor ithat iis ionly
ivested iwith ithe ireal iinventor ionly.

c) The iProduct iPatent iare iconsidered ito ibe ia ihigher ilevel iof iprotection icompared
iprocess ipatents.

 Process iPatent

As iper ithe iProcess iPatent, ithe process ipatent is igranted ionly ito ithe iparticular iprocess
iand inot ito ithe iend iproduct ithat iis ia iresult iof isuch ia iprocess. iThere iare ia icertain
icharacteristic ifeatures iof ia iProcess iPatent:

a) The iprotection iis iseen ias ia ilimited iparent. iSo ithat iany iother imanufacturer ior
iinventor ican icreate ithe isame iproduct iusing ia idifferent iprocess.

b) The iProcess iPatent iprovides ia ilow irage iof iprotection ito ithe iinventor.

c) There ican ibe imultiple iprocess ipatents ifor ia isingle iproduct.

The iTRIPs iAgreement iunder iArticle i27.1 istipulates ithat ipatents ishall ibe iavailable ifor
iany iinventions, iwhether iproducts ior iprocesses iin iall ifields iof itechnology iexcept ifor
ithe iexclusion istipulated iunder iArticle i27.2 iand i27.3. iPursuant ito ithe iTRIPs
iagreement, ithe iPatent iAct, i1970 iwas iamended iin i2002. iSection i5 iof ithe iPatents
iAct, i1970 iprovided ithat, iin ithe icase iof iinventions ibeing iclaimed irelating ito ifood,
imedicine, idrugs ior ichemical isubstances, ionly ipatents irelating ito ithe imethods ior

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iprocesses iof imanufacture iof isuch isubstances icould ibe iobtained. iAn iexplanation
iappended ito ithe iSection i5 iprovided ithat i“chemical iprocess” iincludes ibiochemical,
ibiotechnological iand imicrobiological iprocesses. iSubsequently, iSection i5 iof ithe
iPatents iAct, i1970 iwas ideleted iby ithe iPatents i(Amendment) iAct, i2005 ithat icame
iinto iforce ion i01.01.2005, ithereby ipaving ithe iway ifor iproduct ipatents. iThis ideliberate
istrategy iof idenying iproduct ipatent iprotection ito ipharmaceutical iinventions iis
itraceable ito ithe iAyyangar iCommittee iReport, ia ireport ithat iformed ithe ivery ibasis iof
ithe iPatents iAct, i1970. iThe iCommittee ifound ithat iforeigners iheld ibetween ieighty iand
ininety ipercent iof iIndian ipatents iand ithat imore ithan ininety ipercent iof ithese ipatents
iwere inot ieven iworked iin iIndia. iThe iCommittee iconcluded ithat ithe isystem iwas
ibeing iexploited iby imultinationals ito iachieve imonopolistic icontrol iover ithe imarket,
iespecially iin irelation ito ivital iindustries isuch ias ifood, ichemicals iand ipharmaceuticals.
iThe iPatents iAct ihas ibeen iamended ikeeping iin iview ithe idevelopment iof
itechnological icapability iin iIndia, icoupled iwith ithe ineed ifor iintegrating ithe
iintellectual iproperty isystem iwith iinternational ipractices iand iintellectual iproperty
iregimes. iThe iamendments ihave ialso ibeen iaimed iat imaking ithe iAct ia imodern,
iharmonized iand iuser-friendly ilegislation ito iadequately iprotect inational iand ipublic
iinterests iwhile isimultaneously imeeting iIndia’s iinternational iobligations. i

3. DURATION IOF IPATENTS

Section i53 iprovides ithat ithe iterm iof ievery ipatent igranted iafter ithe icommencement iof
ithe iPatents i(Amendment) iAct, i2002 iand ithe iterm iof ievery ipatent iwhich ihas inot
iexpired iand ihas inot iceased ito ihave ieffect, ion ithe idate iof isuch icommencement, ishall
ibe itwenty iyears ifrom ithe idate iof ifiling iof iapplication ifor ithe ipatent. iExplanation ito
iSection i53(1) iclarifies ithat ithe iterm iof ipatent iin icase iof iinternational iapplications
ifiled iunder ithe iPCT idesignating iIndia, ishall ibe itwenty iyears ifrom ithe iinternational
ifiling idate iaccorded iunder ithe iPatent iCooperation iTreaty. i

A ipatent ishall icease ito ihave ieffect ion ithe iexpiration iof ithe iperiod iprescribed ifor ithe
ipayment iof iany irenewal ifee, iif ithat ifee iis inot ipaid iwithin ithe iprescribed iperiod ior
iwithin isuch iextended iperiod ias imay ibe iprescribed. iFurther ion icessation iof ithe
ipatent iright idue ito inon-payment iof irenewal ifee ior ion iexpiry iof ithe iterm iof ipatent,
ithe isubject imatter icovered iby ithe isaid ipatent ishall inot ibe ientitled ito iany iprotection.

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iRule i80 irequires ithat ito ikeep ia ipatent iin iforce, ithe irenewal ifees ispecified iin ithe
iFirst iSchedule ishould ibe ipaid iat ithe iexpiration iof ithe isecond iyear ifrom ithe idate iof
ithe ipatent ior iof iany isucceeding iyear iand ithe isame ishould ibe iremitted ito ithe ipatent
ioffice ibefore ithe iexpiration iof ithe isecond ior ithe isucceeding iyear. iSub-rule i(1A)
iinserted iby iPatents i(Amendment) iRules, i2005 iprovides ithat ithe iperiod ifor ipayment
iof irenewal ifees imay ibe iextended ito isuch iperiod inot ibeing imore ithan isix imonths iif
ithe irequest ifor isuch iextension iof itime iis imade iin iForm i4 iwith ithe ifee ispecified iin
ithe iFirst iSchedule. iThe iannual irenewal ifees ipayable iin irespect iof itwo ior imore
iyears imay ibe ipaid iin iadvance.

4. KINDS IOF IPATENT IAPPLICATIONS

1) Ordinary iApplication: iThe iordinary ipatent iapplication imay ibe ifiled iif ithe
iapplicant idoes inot ihave iany ipriority ito iclaim ior iif ithe iapplication iis inot ifiled
iin ipursuance iof iany ipreceding iconvention iapplication. iAn iOrdinary iApplication
ican ibe ifiled idirectly iin ithe iIndian iPatent iOffice. i

2) Convention iApplication: i iThe iconvention iapplication iallows ithe iapplicant ito

iclaim ipriority iin iall ithe iconvention icountries. iThe iapplicant ican ionly iclaim
ipriority iif ithe isubstantially isimilar iapplication ihas ibeen ifiled iin iany iof ithe
iconvention icountries. iThe itime ilimit ifor iclaiming ipriority iis i12 imonths ifrom ithe
idate iof ithe ifirst iconvention iapplication.

3) Patent iCooperation iTreaty (PCT) Application: iThe iappeal iof ithe iPCT iprocess
iis ithat iit ienables ipatent iapplicants ito ifile ia isingle ipatent iapplication iand ihave
ithat iuniform ipatent iapplication ibe itreated ias ian iinitial iapplication ifor ipatent iin
iany iMember iCountry. This iuniform ipatent iapplication iis iwhat iis ireferred ito ias
ithe iinternational iapplication. iThe idecision ito igrant ipatent iprotection iin ia
iparticular icountry iultimately irests ion ithe Patent iOffice of ithat icountry. iTo ifile ian
iapplication iunder ithe iPCT, ione ican iapply idirectly iwithin ithe i12-month iperiod
iprovided ifor iby ithe iParis iConvention ifrom ithe ifiling idate iof ia ifirst iapplication.

4) Divisional iApplication: iIf ithere iis imore ithan ione iinvention iin ia ipatent
iapplication, ithe iapplicant imay ibe irequired ito idivide ithe iapplication ibased ion ithe
inumber iof iinventions ithe iapplication icontains. iA idivisional iapplication imay ibe

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 ifiled iat iany itime ibefore ithe igrant iof ia ipatent. iThe iapplicant ican ichoose ifrom
iany iof ithe ipreceding imentioned itypes iof iapplications idepending ion ithe
iApplicant’s irequirements. i

5) Patent iof iAddition: iA iPatent iof iAddition iis ian iapplication ithat iis i imade ifor ia
ipatent iin irespect iof iimprovement ior imodification iof ithe iinvention idescribed ior
idisclosed iin ithe imain iapplication ifor iwhich ithe ipatentee ihas ialready iapplied ifor
ior ihas iobtained ia ipatent. i iA ipatent iof iaddition iprotects ithe iimprovement iand
ithere iis ino iseparate irenewal ifee ifor ia ipatent iof iaddition iand iit iexpires iwhen
ithe imain ipatent iexpires.

5. WHERE ITO IAPPLY IFOR IPATENT IAPPLICATIONS

Rule i4 iof ithe iPatents iRules, i2003 i(as iamended iby iPatents i(Amendment) iRules,
i2005), iprovides iapplication ifor ithe ipatent ithat ihas ito ibe ifiled iin ithe irespective
ipatent ioffice ias imentioned ibelow iwhere ithe iterritorial ijurisdiction iis idecided ibased
ion iwhether iany iof ithe ifollowing ioccurrences ifalls iwithin ithe iterritory.

a. Place iof iresidence, idomicile ior ibusiness iof ithe iapplicant i(first imentioned
iapplicant iin ithe icase iof ijoint iapplicants) i i

b. Place ifrom iwhere ithe iinvention iactually ioriginated. i i

c. Address ifor iservice iin iIndia igiven iby ithe iapplicant iwhen ihe ihas ino iplace iof
ibusiness ior idomicile iin iIndia. i(Rule i5) i i

A iforeign iapplicant ishould igive ian iaddress ifor iservice iin iIndia iand ithe ijurisdiction
iwill ibe idecided iupon ithat. iAn iapplicant iwhether iIndian ior iforeigner ican ialso igive
ihis iPatent iAgent’s iaddress ias iaddress ifor iserving idocuments iif ihe/she iwishes iso. i i

 PROCEDURE i i

Filing iof ia iPatent iApplication i i

A ipatent iapplication ishall ibe ifiled ion iForm-1 ialong iwith iProvisional ior iComplete
iSpecification, iwith ithe iprescribed ifee ias igiven iin iFirst iSchedule iat ian iappropriate

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ioffice. iHowever, ia iprovisional ispecification icannot ibe ifiled iin icase iof ia iConvention
iApplication i(either idirectly ior ithrough iPCT iapplications). iGeneral ifee ishall ibe
iapplicable ifor iapplications icontaining iupto ithirty ipages iin ispecification iand iupto i10
iclaims. iIf ithe ispecification iexceeds ithirty ipages ior iclaims iare imore ithan iten iin
inumber, iadditional ifee ias igiven iin iFirst iSchedule iis ipayable. i[Section i7, iFirst
iSchedule]. i i

Contents iof iPatent iApplication i i

A ipatent iapplication ishould icontain: i

1) Application ifor igrant iof ipatent iin iForm-1. i i

2) Applicant ihas ito iobtain ia iproof iof iright ito ifile ithe iapplication ifrom ithe iinventor.
iThe iProof iof iRight iis ieither ian iendorsement iat ithe iend iof ithe iApplication
iForm-1 ior ia iseparate iassignment. i i

3) Provisional/Complete ispecification iin iForm-2. i i

4) Statement iand iundertaking iunder iSection i8 iin iForm- i3, iif iapplicable. iAn
iapplicant imust ifile iForm i3 ieither ialong iwith ithe iapplication ior iwithin i6 imonths
ifrom ithe idate iof iapplication. i i

5) Declaration ias ito iinventor-ship ishall ibe ifiled iin iForm ifor iApplications
iaccompanying ia iComplete iSpecification ior ia iConvention iApplication ior ia iPCT
iApplication idesignating iIndia. iHowever, ithe iController imay iallow iForm-5 ito ibe
ifiled iwithin ione imonth ifrom ithe idate iof ifiling iof iapplication, iif ia irequest iis
imade ito ithe iController iin iForm-4. i i

6) Power iof iauthority iin iForm-26, iif ifiled ithrough ia iPatent iAgent. iIn icase ia
igeneral ipower iof iauthority ihas ialready ibeen ifiled iin ianother iapplication, ia iself
iattested icopy iof ithe isame imay ibe ifiled iby ithe iAgent. iIn icase ithe ioriginal
igeneral ipower iof iauthority ihas ibeen ifiled iin ianother ijurisdiction, ithat ifact imay
ialso ibe imentioned iin ithe iself iattested icopy i i

7) Priority idocument iis irequired iin ithe ifollowing icases: i i

a) Convention iApplication i(under iParis iConvention). i i

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b) PCT iNational iPhase iApplication iwherein irequirements iof iRule i17.1(a ior ib) iof
iregulations imade iunder ithe iPCT ihave inot ibeen ifulfilled. iThe ipriority idocument
imay ibe ifiled ialong iwith ithe iapplication ior ibefore ithe iexpiry iof ieighteen imonths
ifrom ithe idate iof ipriority, iso ias ito ienable ipublication iof ithe iapplication. iIn icase
iof ia irequest ifor iearly ipublication, ithe ipriority idocument ishall ibe ifiled
ibefore/along iwith isuch irequest. i i

8) Every iapplication ishall ibear ithe iSignature iof ithe iapplicant ior iauthorized iperson i/
iPatent iAgent ialong iwith iname iand idate iin ithe iappropriate ispace iprovided iin ithe
iforms. i i

9) The iSpecification ishall ibe isigned iby ithe iagent/applicant iwith idate ion ithe ilast
ipage iof ithe iSpecification. iThe idrawing isheets ishould ibear ithe isignature iof ian
iapplicant ior ihis iagent iin ithe iright ihand ibottom icorner. i i

10) If ithe iApplication ipertains ito ia ibiological imaterial iobtained ifrom iIndia, ithe
iapplicant iis irequired ito isubmit ithe ipermission ifrom ithe iNational iBiodiversity
iAuthority iany itime ibefore ithe igrant iof ithe ipatent. iHowever, iit iwould ibe
isufficient iif ithe ipermission ifrom ithe iNational iBiodiversity iAuthority iis isubmitted
ibefore ithe igrant iof ithe ipatent. i i

11) The iApplication iform ishall ialso iindicate iclearly ithe isource iof igeographical iorigin
iof iany ibiological imaterial iused iin ithe iSpecification, iwherever iapplicable.
i[Section i7. iRule i8, i12, i13, i135. iAlso iSection i6 iof ithe iBiological iDiversity iAct,
i2002 i& iRule i17.1 iof iRegulations imade iunder ithe iPCT] i i

 OPPOSITION iTO iTHE iPATENT i i

Section i25 iof ithe iAct ideals iwith iopposition ito igrant iof ipatent iand iprovides ithat
iwhere ian iapplication ifor ia ipatent ihas ibeen ipublished ibut ia ipatent ihas inot ibeen
igranted, iany iperson imay, iin iwriting, irepresent iby iway iof iopposition ito ithe
iController iagainst ithe igrant iof ipatent ion ithe ifollowing igrounds iand ithe iController
ion irequest iof isuch iperson ishall ihear ihim iand idispose iof ithe irepresentation iin ithe
iprescribed imanner iand ispecified itime. iThe igrounds iof ithe iopposition iare: i i

a) that ithe iapplicant ifor ithe ipatent ior ithe iperson iunder ior ithrough iwhom ihe

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 iclaims, iwrongfully iobtained ithe iinvention ior iany ipart ithereof ifrom ihim ior ifrom
ia iperson iunder ior ithrough iwhom ihe iclaims; i i

b) that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification
ihas ibeen ipublished ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithe iclaim i– i

i. in iany ispecification ifiled iin ipursuance iof ian iapplication ifor ia ipatent imade iin
iIndia ion ior iafter ithe i1st iday iof iJanuary, i1912; ior i i

ii. in iIndia ior ielsewhere, iin iany iother idocument i: iProvided ithat ithe iground
ispecified iin isubclause i(ii) ishall inot ibe iavailable iwhere isuch ipublication idoes inot
iconstitute ian ianticipation iof ithe iinvention iby ivirtue iof isub-section i(2) ior isub-
section i(3) iof isection i29; i i

c) that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification iis
iclaimed iin ia iclaim iof ia icomplete ispecification ipublished ion ior iafter ithe ipriority
idate iof ithe iapplicant’s iclaim iand ifiled iin ipursuance iof ian iapplication ifor ia
ipatent iin iIndia, ibeing ia iclaim iof iwhich ithe ipriority idate iis iearlier ithan ithat iof
ithe iapplicant’s iclaim; i i

d) that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification
iwas ipublicly iknown ior ipublicly iused iin iIndia ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithat
iclaim. iExplanation i— iFor ithe ipurposes iof ithis iclause, ian iinvention irelating ito ia
iprocess ifor iwhich ia ipatent iis iclaimed ishall ibe ideemed ito ihave ibeen ipublicly
iknown ior ipublicly iused iin iIndia ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithe iclaim iif ia
iproduct imade iby ithat iprocess ihad ialready ibeen iimported iinto iIndia ibefore ithat
idate iexcept iwhere isuch iimportation ihas ibeen ifor ithe ipurpose iof ireasonable itrial
ior iexperiment ionly; i i

e) that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification iis
iobvious iand iclearly idoes inot iinvolve iany iinventive istep, ihaving iregard ito ithe
imatter ipublished ias imentioned iin iclause i(b) ior ihaving iregard ito iwhat iwas iused
iin iIndia ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithe iapplicant’s iclaim; i i

f) that ithe isubject iof iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification iis inot ian iinvention
iwithin ithe imeaning iof ithis iAct, ior iis inot ipatentable iunder ithis iAct; i i

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g) that ithe icomplete ispecification idoes inot isufficiently iand iclearly idescribe ithe
iinvention ior ithe imethod iby iwhich iit iis ito ibe iperformed; i i

h) that ithe iapplicant ihas ifailed ito idisclose ito ithe iController ithe iinformation irequired
iby isection i8 ior ihas ifurnished ithe iinformation iwhich iin iany imaterial iparticular
iwas ifalse ito ihis iknowledge; i i

i) that iin ithe icase iof iconvention iapplication, ithe iapplication iwas inot imade iwithin
itwelve imonths ifrom ithe idate iof ithe ifirst iapplication ifor iprotection ifor ithe
iinvention imade iin ia iconvention icountry iby ithe iapplicant ior ia iperson ifrom
iwhom ihe iderives ititle; i i

j) that ithe icomplete ispecification idoes inot idisclose ior iwrongly imentions ithe isource
iof igeographical iorigin iof ibiological imaterial iused ifor ithe iinvention; i i

k) that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification iis
ianticipated ihaving iregard ito ithe iknowledge, ioral ior iotherwise, iavailable iwithin
iany ilocal ior iindigenous icommunity iin iIndia ior ielsewhere. i i

Section i25(2) ientitles iany iinterested iperson ito igive inotice iof iopposition, ito ithe
iController iin ithe iprescribed imanner iat iany itime iafter ithe igrant iof ipatent ibut ibefore
ithe iexpiry iof ia iperiod iof ione iyear ifrom ithe idate iof ipublication iof igrant iof ia
ipatent, ion iany iof ithe ifollowing igrounds ionly i:- i i

a. that ithe ipatentee ior ithe iperson iunder ior ithrough iwhom ihe iclaims, iwrongfully
iobtained ithe iinvention ior iany ipart ithereof ifrom ihim ior ifrom ia iperson iunder ior
ithrough iwhom ihe iclaims; i i

b. that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification
ihas ibeen ipublished ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithe iclaim iin iany ispecification
ifiled iin ipursuance iof ian iapplication ifor ia ipatent imade iin iIndia ion ior iafter ithe
i1st iday iof iJanuary, i1912; ior iin iIndia ior ielsewhere, iin iany iother idocument.
iHowever, ithe iground ithat ithe iinvention iso ifar iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof icomplete
ispecification ihas ibeen ipublished ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithe iclaim iin iIndia ior
ielsewhere iin iany iother idocument ishall inot ibe iavailable iwhere isuch ipublication
idoes inot iconstitute ian ianticipation iof ithe iinvention iby ivirtue iof isection i29(2); i i

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c. that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification iis
iclaimed iin ia iclaim iof ia icomplete ispecification ipublished ion ior iafter ithe ipriority
idate iof ithe iclaim iof ithe ipatentee iand ifiled iin ipursuance iof ian iapplication ifor ia
ipatent iin iIndia, ibeing ia iclaim iof iwhich ithe ipriority idate iis iearlier ithan ithat iof
ithe iclaim iof ithe ipatentee; i i

d. that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification
iwas ipublicly iknown ior ipublicly iused iin iIndia ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithat
iclaim. iExplanation ito iclause i(d) iof iSection i25(3) iclarifies ithat ian iinvention
irelating ito ia iprocess ifor iwhich ia ipatent iis igranted ishall ibe ideemed ito ihave
ibeen ipublicly iknown ior ipublicly iused iin iIndia ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithe
iclaim iif ia iproduct imade iby ithat iprocess ihad ialready ibeen iimported iinto iIndia
ibefore ithat idate iexcept iwhere isuch iimportation ihas ibeen ifor ithe ipurpose iof
ireasonable itrial ior iexperiment ionly. i i

e. that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification iis
iobvious iand iclearly idoes inot iinvolve iany iinventive istep, ihaving iregard ito ithe
imatter ipublished ias imentioned iin iclause i(b) ior ihaving iregard ito iwhat iwas iused
iin iIndia ibefore ithe ipriority idate iof ithe iclaim; i i

f. that ithe isubject iof iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification iis inot ian iinvention
iwithin ithe imeaning iof ithis iAct, ior iis inot ipatentable iunder ithis iAct; i i

g. that ithe icomplete ispecification idoes inot isufficiently iand iclearly idescribe ithe
iinvention ior ithe imethod iby iwhich iit iis ito ibe iperformed; i i

h. that ithe ipatentee ihas ifailed ito idisclose ito ithe iController ithe iinformation irequired
iby isection i8 ior ihas ifurnished ithe iinformation iwhich iin iany imaterial iparticular
iwas ifalse ito ihis iknowledge; i i

i. that iin ithe icase iof ia ipatent igranted ion iconvention iapplication, ithe iapplication ifor
ipatent iwas inot imade iwithin itwelve imonths ifrom ithe idate iof ithe ifirst iapplication
ifor iprotection ifor ithe iinvention imade iin ia iconvention icountry ior iin iIndia iby ithe
ipatentee ior ia iperson ifrom iwhom ihe iderives ititle; i I

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j. that ithe icomplete ispecification idoes inot idisclose ior iwrongly imentions ithe isource
iand igeographical iorigin iof ibiological imaterial iused ifor ithe iinvention; i i

k. that ithe iinvention iso ifar ias iclaimed iin iany iclaim iof ithe icomplete ispecification
iwas ianticipated ihaving iregard ito ithe iknowledge, ioral ior iotherwise, iavailable
iwithin iany ilocal ior iindigenous icommunity iin iIndia ior ielsewhere. i

6. ASSIGNMENTS IOF IPATENTS

Assignment irefers ito ithe iact iof ithe ipatentee iby iwhich ithe ipatent irights iare iwholly
ior ipartially itransferred ito ithe iassignee iwho iacquires ithe iright ito iprevent iothers ifrom
imaking, iusing ior iexercising ior ivending ithe iinvention. iSection i70 iof ithe iPatents iAct,
i1970 igives ithe iperson/persons, ipersons iregistered ias igrantee ior iproprietor iof ia
ipatent, ipower ito iassign, igrant ilicences iunder, ior iotherwise ideal iwith, ithe ipatent iand
ito igive ieffectual ireceipts ifor iany iconsideration ifor iany isuch iassignment, ilicence ior
idealing. iThe iassignment ican ieither ibe iexclusive ior inon iexclusive. iThe iexclusivity
ican ibe ifurther ilimited, ifor iexample iexclusivity ito ia iterritory ior imarket ior iline iof
iproducts. iFollowing iare ithree imain itypes iof iassignments iin ipatents: i i

 Legal iAssignments i i

An iassignment iof ian iexisting ideed iis ia ilegal iassignment. iA ipatent iwhich iis icreated
iby ideed ican ionly ibe iassigned iby ia ideed. iA ilegal iassignee iis ientitled ito ibe
iregistered ias ithe iproprietor iof ithe ipatent iand iacquires iall ithe irights ithereof. i i

 Equitable iAssignments i i

A idocument iagreeing ito itransfer ia ipatent ior ia ishare iof ia ipatent iwith iimmediate
ieffect iis ian iequitable iassignment. iThis iaffects iproprietorship, ibut idoes inot idirectly
ichange iit. iThe iman ito iwhom iit iis iequitably iassigned igets ithe iright iin iequity ito
ihave ithe iownership iof ithe ipatent ialtered iin ilaw. i i

 Mortgages i i

A imortgage iis ia idocument ithrough iwhich ipatent irights iare itransferred ito ithe
iassignee iin ireturn ifor ia isum iof imoney. iOnce ithe iassignor irepays ithe isum, ithe
ipatent irights iare irestored ito ihim. iThe iterm iassignee ias iper iSection i2(1) iof ithe

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iPatents iAct, i1970 iincludes iin iits imeaning ithe ilegal irepresentative iof ia ideceased
iassignee. iSection i70 iof ithe iPatents iAct, i1970 iconfers iinter ialia ithe iright ion ia
igrantee ior iproprietor iof ithe ipatent ito ifully ior ipartially iassign ihis ipatent ito ianother
ior iothers. iAs iper iSection i68 iof ithe iPatents iAct, i1970 ian iassignment ito ibe ivalid
ishall ibe iin iwriting, ito ibe icontained iin ia idocument ithat iembodies iall iterms iand
iconditions igoverning itheir irights iand iobligations iand ithe iapplication ifor iregistration
iof isuch idocument iis ifiled iin ithe iprescribed imanner iwith ithe iController iwithin isix
imonths ifrom ithe icommencement iof ithe iAct ior ithe iexecution iof ithe idocument,
iwhichever iis ilater. iSection i69 isays ionce ithe iperson ibecomes ientitled iby iassignment
ito ia ipatent ihe ishall iapply iin iwriting ito ithe iController ifor ithe iregistration iof ihis
ititle iin ithe iprescribed imanner.

7. PATENT IAGENTS

The iwork irelating ito idrafting iof ispecifications, imaking iof iapplication ifor ia ipatent,
isubsequent icorrespondence iwith ithe iPatent ioffice ion ithe iobjections iraised,
irepresenting ithe iapplicants icase iat ithe ihearings, ifiling iopposition iand idefending
iapplication iagainst iopposition iis ientrusted ito ia iqualified iPatent iAgent. iSections i125-
132 iof ithe iPatents iAct, i1970 iand iRules i108-120 iof ithe iPatents iRules, i2003 ideal
iwith ithe iPatent iAgents. i

The iController imaintains ia iregister ito ibe icalled ithe i‘register iof ipatent iagents’ iin
iwhich ithere iwill ibe ientered ithe inames, iaddress iand iother irelevant iparticular ias imay
ibe iprescribed iof iall ipersons iqualified ito ihave itheir inames iso ientered iaccording ito
isection i126. iAccording ito irule i4 isuch iregister ihas ito ibe imaintained iat ithe iHead
iOffice iof ithe iPatent iOffice, iCalcutta. iThe iregister iwill icontain ithe iname, inationality
iaddress iof ithe iprincipal iplace iof ibusiness, ibranch ioffice iaddress iand iother irelevant
iparticular ias imay ibe iprescribed, iif iany, ithe iqualification iand ithe idate iof iregistration
iof ientry ias iPatent iagent. I

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 Qualifications ifor iRegistration ias iPatent iAgents i i

According ito iSection i126 ia iperson iwill ibe iqualified ito ihave ihis iname ientered iin ithe
iregister iof ipatent iagents iif ihe ifulfills ithe ifollowing iconditions, inamely: i i

a) He/she iis ia icitizen iof iIndia; i i

b) He/she ihas icompleted ithe iage iof i21 iyears; i i

c) He/she ihas iobtained ia idegree iin iScience, iEngineering ior iTechnology ifrom iany
iUniversity iestablished iunder ithe ilaw ifor ithe itime ibeing iin iforce iin ithe iterritory
iof iIndia ior ipossesses isuch iother iequivalent iqualifications ias ithe iCentral
iGovernment imay ispecify iin ithis ibehalf, iand, iin iaddition, i(i) ihas ipassed ithe
iqualifying iexamination iprescribed ifor ithe ipurpose; ior i(ii) ihas, ifor ia itotal iperiod
iof inot iless ithan iten iyears, ifunctioned ieither ias ian iexaminer ior idischarged ithe
ifunctions iof ithe iController iunder isection i73,or iboth, ibut iceased ito ihold iany
isuch icapacity iat ithe itime iof imaking ithe iapplication ifor iregistration;

d) He ihas ipaid isuch ifee ias imay ibe iprescribed. i i

However, ia iperson iwho ihas ibeen iregistered ias ia ipatent iagent ibefore ithe
icommencement iof iPatent i(Amendment) iAct, i2005 iwill ibe ientitled ito icontinue ito ibe,
ior iwhen irequired ito ibe ireregistered ias ia ipatent iagent, ion ipayment iof ithe ifee.\

8. PATENT IINFRINGEMENT

Patent iinfringement imeans ithe iviolation iof ithe iexclusive irights iof ithe ipatent iholder.
iAs idiscussed iearlier, ipatent irights iare ithe iexclusive irights igranted iby ithe
iGovernment ito ian iinventor iover ihis iinvention ifor ia ilimited iperiod iof itime. iIn iother
iwords, iif iany iperson iexercises ithe iexclusive irights iof ithe ipatent iholder iwithout ithe
ipatent iowner's iauthorization ithen ithat iperson iis iliable ifor ipatent iinfringement.
iSections i104-114 iof ithe iPatents iAct, i1970 iprovide iguidelines irelating ito ipatent
iinfringement. i iUnlike ithe iDesign ilaw, ithe iPatents ilaw idoes inot ispecify ias ito iwhat
iwould iconstitute iinfringement iof ia ipatented iproduct ior iprocess. i

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However, ithe ifollowing iacts iwhen icommitted iwithout ithe iconsent iof ithe ipatentee
ishall iamount ito iinfringement: i i

a. Making, iusing, ioffering ifor isale, iselling, iimporting ithe ipatented iproduct; i i

b. Using ithe ipatented iprocess, ior iusing, ioffering ifor isale, iselling ior iimporting ithe
iproduct idirectly iobtained iby ithat iprocess iThere iare ithree ibasic itypes iof ipatent
iinfringements: i i

c. Direct iInfringement: iDirect ipatent iinfringement iis ithe imost iobvious iand ithe imost
icommon iform iof ipatent iinfringement. iBasically, idirect ipatent iinfringement ioccurs
iwhen ia iproduct ithat iis isubstantially iclose ito ia ipatented iproduct ior iinvention iis
imarketed, isold, ior iused icommercially iwithout ipermission ifrom ithe iowner iof ithe
ipatented iproduct ior iinvention. i i

d. Indirect iInfringement iand icontributory iinfringement: iIndirect ipatent iinfringement

isuggests ithat ithere iwas isome iamount iof ideceit ior iaccidental ipatent iinfringement
iin ithe iincident. iFor iinstance, iA iholds ia ipatent ifor ia idevice iand iB imanufactures
ia idevice iwhich iis isubstantially isimilar ito ithe iA’s idevice. iB iis isupplied iwith ia
iproduct ifrom ianother iperson iC ito ifacilitate imanufacturing iof ithe iB’s idevice. iIf
ithe idevice iso imanufactured iby iB iinfringes iupon iA’s ipatent, ithen ithe iperson iC
iindirectly iinfringes iA’s ipatent. iFurther, iif isuch ia iproduct iis iknowingly isold ior
isupplied, iit imay ilead ito i“contributory iinfringement”. iIn ithe iabove iexample, iif
ithe iperson iC iknowingly isupplies ithe iproduct ito iB ithen ithe iinfringement iis
iconstrued ias icontributory iinfringement.

The ilaw ihowever ienumerates icertain iexceptions ito iinfringement: i i

a) Experimental iand iResearch: iAny ipatented iarticle ior iprocess ican ibe iused ifor ithe
ifollowing ipurposes: i i

 Experiment i i

 Research i i

 Instructing ithe ipupils i i

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It iis ialso ipermitted ito imake, iconstruct, iuse, isell ior iimport ia ipatented iinvention
isolely ifor ithe iuses ireasonably irelated ito ithe idevelopment iand isubmission iof
iinformation irequired iunder iany ilaw ifor ithe itime ibeing iin iforce, iin iIndia, ior iin ia
icountry iother ithan iIndia, ithat iregulates ithe imanufacture, iconstruction, iuse, isale ior
iimport iof iany iproduct. iAll isuch iacts, iif iwithin ithe ibounds ias icreated iabove, icannot
ibe ichallenged ias iinfringing ithe irights iof ithe ipatentee. i

b) Parallel iImportation iunder icertain iconditions: iPatented iarticle ior iarticle imade iby
iusing ithe ipatented iprocess ican ibe iimported iby igovernment ifor iits iown iuse.
iAlso ia ipatented iprocess ican ibe iused iby ithe igovernment isolely ifor iits iown iuse.
iMoreover ithe igovernment ican iimport iany ipatented imedicine ior idrug ifor ithe
ipurposes iof iits iown iuse ior ifor idistribution iin iany idispensary, ihospital ior iother
imedical iinstitution imaintained iby ithe igovernment ior iany iother idispensary,
ihospital ior imedical iinstitution inotified iby ithe igovernment. i[Section27 i& i47] i

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