Understanding the Concept and Evolution of Patent Laws in India

Introduction A patent serves as a shield, safeguarding the fruits of one's intellectual and scientific labor. The Government grants this exclusive privilege to inventors, empowering them to prevent others from making, selling, using, or distributing their invention. The very essence of patent law is to inspire innovators to enhance their respective domains. The enforcement of a patent strengthens the defense of the inventor's intellectual property rights. Patents hinder theft, guarantee exclusivity, facilitate commercialization, and bring monetary value to the invention.

The Historical Progression of Indian Patent Laws

India's journey with patent law began with Act VI of 1856, the first legal measure safeguarding inventions, built on the 1852 British patent law. This act was soon followed by fresh legislation in 1859, Act XV, which bestowed 'exclusive privileges.' Various specific modifications followed, notably excluding importers from the definition of the inventor. Further amendments happened in 1872, 1883, and 1888. The Indian Patent and Design Act of 1911 replaced all preceding laws. This Act was further succeeded by the Patents Act 1970, accompanied by the Patent Rules 1972. The Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005 modernized the Patents Act, 1970, introducing compulsory licenses and extending product patents in diverse technological domains.

Crucial Factors for Patentability

Certain criteria must be met for an invention to be patentable under the Indian Patent Act, 1970. Three significant aspects come into play - innovativeness, inventiveness, and the capacity for industrial application.

• Innovativeness: The novelty of the invention is crucial; it should not have been previously published and must present something unique without any similar prior work.
• Inventive Step: The innovation should bring something non-obvious for a skilled person in the respective field. It involves a technical advance over existing knowledge, economic significance, or both.
• Industrial Applicability: The invention must have practical utility and should be capable of industrial application.

However, certain inventions remain non-patentable, such as those considered obvious, harmful to public health, or violating existing laws.

Rights Associated with Patent Ownership

A patentee has the right to:

• Surrender: Voluntarily surrender the patent after gaining the Controller's permission.
• Exploit Patent: Use, manufacture, sell, exercise, or distribute the patented substance or product.
• Grant License: Assign or grant the license of the patented product to others, either fully or partially.
• Sue: Approach the Court for redressal if their rights are violated.
• Apply for Patent of Addition: Modify the existing invention.

Authorities Overseeing Patents in India

The Controller of Patents, acting under the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), administers India's patent system. The body maintains its primary offices in Kolkata and branches in Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai.

Procedure for Patent Application

The patent application process in India includes the compilation and documentation of all information about the invention, the creation of explanatory drawings, checking the patentability of the invention, and filing a patent application. After filing, the patent application is published, examined, and if all criteria are met, the patent is granted.

Opposing a Patent

Public opposition against the grant of a patent is possible under Sections 25(1) and 25(2) of the Indian Patent Act. Opposition can be pre-grant or post-grant. The grounds for both types of opposition are identical, covering aspects such as wrongful obtainment, prior claim, and non-disclosure.

Patent Duration

The term of every patent in India, calculated from the date of filing the patent application, is 20 years.

Relevant Doctrines

Two notable doctrines related to patents are the Doctrine of Equivalents and Doctrine of Colourable Variation. The first implies that a patent claim will be infringed if the invention performs the same function in the same way to obtain the same result. The latter states that slight modifications, but involving the essential features of the patented invention, constitute patent infringement.

Patent Infringement and Remedies

Patent infringement, punishable by law, happens when an existing invention is illegally used or modified without the owner's consent. Remedies for infringement include an injunction, damages, or an account of profits.

Conclusion

Patents play an indispensable role as intellectual properties with a scientific dimension. They drive human development by inspiring more people to innovate. Patent laws offer economic security to inventors, ensuring their creations are safeguarded and valued appropriately.