Reliable Tools, Anytime
Reliable Tools, Anytime

Overview

The Indian Patent Office, functioning under the CGPDTM, continues to show strong growth in patent activity. In 2023–24, a total of 92,168 patent applications were filed, marking an 11.3% rise over the previous year. Of these, 51,574 were filed by Indian applicants, a 19.1% increase, raising the domestic share to nearly 56% of total filings. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka led state-wise contributions, with significant activity in computer science, electronics, polymers, chemistry, and metallurgy. Over the last five years, patent filings have grown by 180%, highlighting India’s strengthening innovation ecosystem and a steady shift towards homegrown research and development.

FAQ
FAQ

What You Need To Know

The inventor, an assignee (employer/company), or the legal heir of a deceased inventor. Both Indian and foreign applicants can file. Ownership clarity affects filings, assignments, licensing, and future enforcement.

What to do next:

  • Individual applicants: Decide whether the inventor files personally or whether the company should be listed as the applicant.
  • Company applicants: Ensure that assignments are executed from the inventors to the company before filing.
File with the Indian Patent Office (IPO) via e-filing, submitting the prescribed forms and a specification (provisional or complete).

Steps overview:

  1. Draft a provisional or complete specification (including drawings).
  2. File the applicable Forms.
  3. (Optional) Request early publication.
  4. Submit a normal Request for Examination (RFE) or an expedited examination (if eligible).
  5. Respond to the Examination Report and amend if required.
  6. Upon grant, publication follows; maintain the patent through annuities.

What to do next:

  • Conduct a patentability review based on the invention disclosure.
  • Need speed? Consider early publication or expedited examination.
File with the Indian Patent Office (IPO) via e-filing, submitting the prescribed forms and a specification (provisional or complete).

Ordinary application (direct filing in India):

  1. Provisional: Early priority; complete specification due within 12 months.
  2. Complete: Full disclosure with claims.
  3. Convention: Claiming foreign priority.
  4. PCT National Phase: Entry into India from a PCT application.
  5. Divisional: Filed when multiple inventions are disclosed in one application.
  6. Patent of Addition: Improvements or modifications to your main patent.

What to do next:

  • Already filed abroad? Choose between the Convention or PCT route.
  • Still evolving? Start with a provisional application.
The inventor, an assignee (employer/company), or the legal heir of a deceased inventor. Both Indian and foreign applicants can file. Ownership clarity affects filings, assignments, licensing, and future enforcement.

What to do next:

  • Individual applicants: Decide whether the inventor files personally or whether the company should be listed as the applicant.
  • Company applicants: Ensure that assignments are executed from the inventors to the company before filing.
File with the Indian Patent Office (IPO) via e-filing, submitting the prescribed forms and a specification (provisional or complete).

Steps overview:

  1. Draft a provisional or complete specification (including drawings).
  2. File the applicable Forms.
  3. (Optional) Request early publication.
  4. Submit a normal Request for Examination (RFE) or an expedited examination (if eligible).
  5. Respond to the Examination Report and amend if required.
  6. Upon grant, publication follows; maintain the patent through annuities.

What to do next:

  • Conduct a patentability review based on the invention disclosure.
  • Need speed? Consider early publication or expedited examination.
File with the Indian Patent Office (IPO) via e-filing, submitting the prescribed forms and a specification (provisional or complete).

Ordinary application (direct filing in India):

  1. Provisional: Early priority; complete specification due within 12 months.
  2. Complete: Full disclosure with claims.
  3. Convention: Claiming foreign priority.
  4. PCT National Phase: Entry into India from a PCT application.
  5. Divisional: Filed when multiple inventions are disclosed in one application.
  6. Patent of Addition: Improvements or modifications to your main patent.

What to do next:

  • Already filed abroad? Choose between the Convention or PCT route.
  • Still evolving? Start with a provisional application.
The inventor, an assignee (employer/company), or the legal heir of a deceased inventor. Both Indian and foreign applicants can file. Ownership clarity affects filings, assignments, licensing, and future enforcement.

What to do next:

  • Individual applicants: Decide whether the inventor files personally or whether the company should be listed as the applicant.
  • Company applicants: Ensure that assignments are executed from the inventors to the company before filing.
File with the Indian Patent Office (IPO) via e-filing, submitting the prescribed forms and a specification (provisional or complete).

Ordinary application (direct filing in India):

  1. Provisional: Early priority; complete specification due within 12 months.
  2. Complete: Full disclosure with claims.
  3. Convention: Claiming foreign priority.
  4. PCT National Phase: Entry into India from a PCT application.
  5. Divisional: Filed when multiple inventions are disclosed in one application.
  6. Patent of Addition: Improvements or modifications to your main patent.

What to do next:

  • Already filed abroad? Choose between the Convention or PCT route.
  • Still evolving? Start with a provisional application.
File with the Indian Patent Office (IPO) via e-filing, submitting the prescribed forms and a specification (provisional or complete).

Steps overview:

  1. Draft a provisional or complete specification (including drawings).
  2. File the applicable Forms.
  3. (Optional) Request early publication.
  4. Submit a normal Request for Examination (RFE) or an expedited examination (if eligible).
  5. Respond to the Examination Report and amend if required.
  6. Upon grant, publication follows; maintain the patent through annuities.

What to do next:

  • Conduct a patentability review based on the invention disclosure.
  • Need speed? Consider early publication or expedited examination.

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The legal heir of a deceased inventor.

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