Connecting the dots to boost the patent ecosystem

Context:

India has reported a rise in patent applications filed by Indian residents. But the issues of long pendency in the India patent ecosystem are causing hindrances to innovation. The same has also been highlighted in the recent report of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).

What are the Issues?

• Increase in Abandoned applications: Annual Report (2019-20) of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Geographical Indications (CGPDTM) shows that the number of abandoned patent applications, has increased by almost 350%.
• Long pendency discourages Innovation: Innovations usually have short-life spans, and delays in the processing of patent applications discourage applicants from following up on their applications.
• Perverse incentives for Patent Filling: National Intellectual Property Rights Policy 2016, emphasis more on patent filing, which encourages the filing of patent applications even when the innovator knows that their claims will not pass scrutiny.
• Limited collaboration between the industry and academia: Innovations from India, originating from collaborative research projects, and implemented and commercialized in the automotive space have been scarce.