Now, getting patent will be easier, faster

Vijay C Roy

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26

Soon, getting a patent in India will be faster and easier, as the Indian Patent Office is set to deploy latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) in the patent processing system. For this purpose, Chandigarh-based TT Consultants has secured the contract for the project despite IT bigwigs such as TCS, Tech Mahindra and Wipro were in the fray.

Every year, around 50,000 new patents are filed in the country and the processing is done manually. At present, patent examiners are overloaded with lot of applications and it takes at least three years to grant a patent. According to industry watchers, the move to incorporate latest technologies in the system of the patent offices will improve the efficiency considerably and cut the processing period drastically.

“By using automation and Artificial Intelligence, the government aims to reduce the burden on patent examiners and increase efficiency and consistency in the processes,” said Komal Talwar, director and founder, TT Consultants. The patent office had shortlisted 10 companies, including TCS, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra out of 19 bids it received by inviting expression of interest. Finally, it awarded the contract to TT Consultants.

The new technologies will be introduced into the existing work flow at patent offices, which include stages such as application filing, electronic data processing, classification, screening, publication, allotment, prior art searching, examination, pre-grant opposition, hearings, disposal, post-grant oppositions and renewal of patent.

According to Komal, the move marks a first in leap towards Artificial Intelligence being applied in the examination of patents. “It will be first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence in patent-based tender anywhere in the world. Even developed economies like the US and Japan are yet to deploy it,” she said.

The move is also significant as it would be the first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence-based examination system project across the country. By introducing path-breaking technology, the government plans to automate and increase quality of the process and efficiency within the system to create more confidence in startups, universities and foreign investors.

Recently, Commerce Minister Piyush Goel while answering a query in Parliament had stated that “As a measure to encourage patent filing by individuals and organisations, awareness programmes and workshops on creation, protection, management and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are regularly organised by different agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), industry associations, universities, colleges, schools, law enforcement authorities and judiciary for the benefit of various stakeholders.

Across the country, the office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has four offices, namely at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, where the technology will be deployed.