India’s IP office seeks comments, suggestions for manuals revision
21 September 2023
On August 30, 2023, India’s Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks released a public notice inviting patent and trademark holders, designers, legal experts, academics, professionals in industries governed by intellectual property laws and other stakeholders to submit their feedback and suggestions regarding the revision of manuals and guidelines for different IP rights. These are patents, designs, trademarks, geographical indications and copyright.
Comments and suggestions will be reviewed by expert committees for consideration.
Shashi P. Ojha, Associate Partner, RNA, Technology and IP Attorneys, Gurugram
“I believe that revisions in the IP manuals is a long time coming, and this is an important development as there was dire need of revisions in the existing manuals. Some of these manuals were introduced almost a decade ago and didn’t incorporate the various changes and amendments that have taken place since then,” said Shashi P. Ojha, associate partner at RNA, Technology and IP Attorneys in Gurugram.
One of the most recent amendments is the Draft Patent (Amendment) Rules, 2023, which seek to amend the timelines for patent prosecution.
“With the advancement of technology and change in procedures for filings, hearings, etc., the revision of manuals is the need of the hour to not only keep up with the technology, but also to lay down the practice and procedure to be undertaken by IP offices to implement the various important amendments that have taken place,” added Ojha.
Stakeholders must submit their comments and suggestions to cgoffice-mh@nic.in by October 15, 2023.
To review existing guidelines on IP rights, visit https://ipindia.gov.in/.
- Espie Angelica A. de Leon
