As many as 450 startups applied for grant of patents under the expedited application system put in place for such ventures by the government in May 2016 and 120 startups have been granted patents under the process, according to a senior government official.

“The patent office has employed over two hundred examiners recently in addition to the 450 already working for it and clearances are taking place at a faster pace,” said Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade at the India IP Convention organised by the CII on Friday.

A total of 1,917 startups have also benefited from the relaxation in patent fee for startups which has been allowed after amending the patents Act.

Under the expedited process attempts are being made to bring down examination time for all applications to under one year. Earlier, it would take five-seven years for an applicant to get a patent.

The Secretary said that in addition to the increased number of examiners processes have been re-engineered and latest technologies have been introduced to cut down on examination time.

comment COMMENT NOW