Government plans to hire more experts to expedite patent process

NEW DELHI: Keen to expedite the process for grant of patents, the government is looking to appoint 250 more examiners by April, 2012, thereby reducing the time taken for approvals by one-third by 2016.

"By 2015-16, we will be able to examine a patent in one year. For expediting patent processes, we are appointing 250 more examiners," Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks and Geographical Indications P H Kurian said.

With the addition of 250 examiners, the total number of such officials in the department will touch 400, he added.

"We would like to bring down the duration of the entire process, from filing of application to the approval, to nearly one year. Currently, in some instances, the time taken is nearly 36 months," Kurian said.

He said the new examiners would be inducted in patent offices across the country in batches after their training is over.

"By April, 2012, they (new examiners) should be able to complete the training and join duties," Kurian said.

The Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks ( CGPDTM) is the nodal body for examination of patents and their approval, besides rendering advice to the government on matters relating to these subjects.

Last year, it had received nearly 38,500 patent applications.