For the first time in 11 years, the number of domestic patent filing surpasses the number of international patent filing in India during Jan-Mar 2022

What is the News?

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Filing of domestic patents in India has surpassed the number of international patent filings from January-March 2022 for the first time in 11 years.

About the patents filed

From January-March 2022, a total of, 19796 patent applications were filed. Among them, Indian applicants filed, 10706 against 9090 by non-Indian applicants.

Other achievements made in India’s IP regime

– Filing of patents has increased by more than 50% in a span of 7 years (2014-15 to 2021-22).

– Reduction in Time of patent examination from 72 months in Dec 2016 to 5-23 months at present, for different technological areas.

– India’s ranking in Global Innovation Index has increased to 46th in 2021 (+35 ranks) as compared to 81st in 2015-16.

What are the steps taken by the Government to promote India’s patent regime?

Fee Reduction: 10% rebate on online filing. 80% fee concession for Startups, Small Entities and educational institutions, and provisions on expedited examination for Startups and MSMEs along with other categories.

Digital Emphasis: Every application is now processed online from start to finish, hearings are conducted on phones, and people don’t have to travel to patent offices now.

Simplified Procedure: Comprehensive e-Filing facility, Electronic processing of Patents & Trademarks applications.

Source:  This post is based on the article “For the first time in 11 years, the number of domestic patent filing surpasses the number of international patent filing in India during Jan-Mar 2022” published in PIB on 12th April 2022.