India Grants Record Patents

1. Overview of Recent Developments

• Increase in Patents: India has seen a significant rise in the number of patents granted over the past decade. From March 2023 to March 2024, over one lakh patents were granted, with an average of 250 patents granted every working day.
• Patent Application Frequency: Every 6 minutes, a technology seeks intellectual property protection in India.

2. Understanding Patents

• Definition: A patent is a form of intellectual property that grants the owner exclusive rights to make, use, or sell an invention for a limited period (20 years from the filing date in India) in exchange for full disclosure of the invention.
• Patent Criteria: To be patented, an invention must be new, involve an inventive step, and be capable of industrial application.
• Governing Law: The patent system in India is governed by the Patents Act, 1970, with regular updates to the Patent Rules to adapt to evolving needs.

3. Jurisdiction and Scope

• Territorial Nature: Patents are territorial rights. A patent granted by the Indian government is effective only within India. To protect an invention in other countries, separate patents must be obtained in those jurisdictions.

4. Significance of Patents

• Encouragement of Innovation: Patents incentivize inventors by providing exclusive rights, thereby fostering innovation and investment in research and development.
• Protection of Intellectual Property: Patents help prevent unauthorized use and exploitation of inventions.
• Knowledge Sharing: Patent holders must disclose the details of their inventions, contributing to the global pool of knowledge and enabling further advancements.
• Economic Growth: A robust patent system promotes economic growth by encouraging innovation, attracting investment, and providing a competitive edge in the global market.

5. Recent Developments in Intellectual Property

• Geographical Indications (GI): There has been a significant increase in GI registrations, showing a threefold rise compared to the previous year.
• Copyright: The fiscal year 2023-24 saw a record number of copyright registrations, totaling 36,378. Efforts are underway to raise awareness about the role of copyright in the creative industry.
• Design Registrations: The highest number of design registrations to date were recorded in FY 2023-24, with a total of 27,819.
• IP Awareness: The National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) has provided IP training to 24 lakh youths, including students and teachers, across over 7,000 institutions in the past 2 years.

This surge in patent grants and other intellectual property registrations reflects India's growing emphasis on innovation and intellectual property rights. The country's efforts in increasing awareness and promoting intellectual property underscore its commitment to fostering a robust environment for creativity and economic development.