Key Amendments in Indian Patent Rules-2024 and Their Impact: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the Patents Amendment Rules, 2024, which introduce significant modifications to the practice and procedure of Indian patents. This discussion will focus on the key components of the amendments and their possible implications.
What is a Patent?
Figure 1A patent is an intellectual property right granted by the government to the patentee for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem (Fig. 1). It grants the inventor exclusive legal rights for a limited period of time in exchange of full disclosure of his invention. This right allows the patent holder to prevent others from manufacturing, using, selling, or importing the patented product or process without consent. Patents are territorial rights that are only enforceable in the country or region where the patent has been granted. In most countries, patents fall under private law, and it is up to the patent owner to sue any infringers to enforce these rights.
Term of a Patent: The term of every granted patent is 20 years from the application filing date. However, for applications submitted under the national phase of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the term extends to 20 years from the international filing date. The PCT is an international treaty with over 150 member states, enabling simultaneous patent protection for an invention across member countries through one international patent application. This application can be made by any national or resident of a PCT member state and is typically submitted either to the national patent office of the member state or directly to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva [1].
The patent system in India is governed by the Patents Act, 1970, which is regularly amended in consonance with the changing environment, the most recent being Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024 [2]. The following are the highlights of Indian Patent (Amendment) Rules-2024:
- Reduced Timeline: The timeline for filing a Request for Examination (RFE) is reduced from 48 months to 31 months from the priority date. This will accelerate the patent examination process.
- Streamlined Applications: Applicants can now file a single simplified Form 3 after receiving the First Examination Report (FER).
- Introduction of 'Certificate of Inventorship’: As the Indian patent certificate does not identify the inventors, this provision aims to acknowledge inventors’ contributions in the patent. An inventor can now apply for a certificate of inventorship.
- Reduction in Advance Renewal Fees: A discount of 10% on renewal fees is offered if paid electronically in advance for a minimum of four years.
- Decreased Frequency of Patent Working Statements: The frequency of filing working patents is reduced from once in a financial year to once in every three financial years.
- Enhanced Authority of Controller: The Controller of Patent is now empowered to extend specified periods and excuse delays for up to six months.
- Amendments to Opposition Procedures: The submission timeline for recommendations by an Opposition Board, as well as the applicant's response period, have been revised for both pre-grant and post-grant oppositions. The Controller General (CG) is now tasked with assessing the prima facie validity of pre-grant oppositions. If no such case is established, the CG will reject the opposition. Post-grant opposition applications are now to be reviewed by the opposition board within two months, down from the previous three-month period.
- Reduction in Time for Filing Statements Regarding Foreign Applications: The timeframe for filing statements concerning foreign applications has been shortened to three months from the issuance of the First Examination Report (FER), streamlining the process.
The Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024, mark a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the patent system in India. The amendments introduce more streamlined procedures, reduced timelines, and provisions for greater flexibility, aiming to foster innovation and effectively safeguard intellectual property rights. This is a notable achievement, considering the traditionally protracted and cumbersome process of patent granting in India. Notably, the disparity between patent applications and the number of patents granted has seen a steady improvement in recent years [3]. For the first time, Indian IP authorities have granted over 101,311 patents in the last one year (15-Mar-2023 to 14-Mar-2024), and an all-time high of 90,300 patent applications were received. The surge in patent grants reflects India's emergence as a hub for technological innovation [4] (Fig. 2 and 3).
Figure 2
Figure 3
[1] The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). www.wipo.int/portal/en/index.html
[2] Patent Amendments Rules 2024: https://ipindia.gov.in/rules-patents.htm
[3] A record-breaking year for IP filings in India. www.worldipreview.com/inta-2024/a-record-breaking-year-for-ip-filings-in-india
[4] Harsha Sharma: Indian Patents – Key Insights. https://insights.greyb.com/india-patent-trends-and-statistics/
Efficacy of zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles as heat and corrosion-resistant pigments in paint formulations
Zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using environmentally friendly okra plant extract in combination with zinc acetate and copper nitrate solutions, respectively. These pigments were then incorporated with silicon resins in a 2:1 ratio to prepare two paint formulations using a ball mill. The prepared paints were coated on a steel surface with a thickness of 80 ± 5 μm. The dry films underwent testing for physico-mechanical properties, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance. The study revealed that the films containing the prepared oxides exhibited outstanding performance, withstanding temperatures up to 500 °C without any damage or change in colour. Furthermore, paint films with ZnO nanoparticles displayed enhanced efficiency in a 500-hour salt spray test compared to those with CuO nanoparticles, indicating that these synthesized mixed oxide nanoparticles are excellent candidates for applications requiring heat-resistant pigments.
Scientific Reports, vol. 14, 2024, 24413. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-74345-0.
www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-74345-0.pdf
61st Annual Congress of Chemists and International Conference
The 61st Annual Congress of Chemists (ACC 2024) and the International Conference on Emerging Trends in Chemistry took place from December 19-21, 2024, at JECRC University in Jaipur. Organized by the Indian Chemical Society, the event brought together a diverse group of experts from both industry and academia within the field of chemical sciences. The conference fostered dynamic discussions on crucial topics including climate change, energy, public health, water conservation, greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing carbon footprints. The central aim was to explore solutions for achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals through effective governance. Submitted manuscripts after peer review will be published in Scopus-indexed journals.
https://indianchemicalsociety.com
https://conference.jecrcuniversity.edu.in/ACC2024/
Figures 5: Glimps of Indian Chemical Engineering Congress: Chemcon 2024
Indian Chemical Engineering Congress: Chemcon 2024
The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, organized the 77th Annual Session of the Indian Chemical Engineering Congress (CHEMCON 2024), alongside an International Conference on Chemical Engineering for Sustainable Development, held from December 27-30, 2024. The conference attracted 855 participants from a diverse range of scientific and technical institutes across India and abroad. The event featured 3 memorial lectures, 18 Design sessions, 10 invited lectures, and 110 oral and poster presentations held in parallel sessions. A panel discussion on the „Role of Chemical Engineers in Contributing to a Self-Reliant India“ was also conducted. The research papers presented during the conference will be considered for publication in the Indian Chemical Engineer Journal (Taylor & Francis) and as book chapters. Additionally, a Quiz Competition was organized for student delegates, with prizes awarded to the winners.
https://chemcon2024.com
Important upcoming electrochemistry Conferences / Events
- 39 Topical meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry. Main Theme: The role of electrochemistry in sustainable energy and the environment. March, 23-26, 2025. The International Society of Electrochemistry. Natal, Brasil. https://topical39.ise-online.org.
- SOFC-XIX - 19th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. July 13-18, 2025. The Electrochemical Society. The Brewery Conference Center, Stockholm, Sweden. https://www.electrochem.org/sofc/deadlines.
- 40 Topical meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry. Main Theme: Interfacial electrochemistry and related topics. August 15-17, 2025. The International Society of Electrochemistry. Location: Changchun, China. https://topical40.ise-online.org
- 76th Annual meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry. Electrochemistry: From Basic Insights to Sustainable Technologies. September 7 to 12. 2025. Organizer: International Society of Electrochemistry. Mainz, Germany. https://annual76.ise-online.org.
- ELLIPSE Conference - The ELectroLytes and Interfaces in PoSt-Li BatteriEs. September 15 to 16, 2025. The International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE). Ulm, Germany. https://www.postlithiumstorage.org/en/ellipse.
