Publications

India- Drastic changes to Patent Working Requirements

The filing of a Working Statement (regarding the working of patented inventions on a commercial scale in India) is a statutory requirement under the India Patents Act, 1970 (as amended) (the ‘Act’). Pursuant to the latest amendments to the India Patents Rules, 2003 (as amended) (the ‘Rules’) (read together with the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024 […]

India- Non-attendance at patent hearings cannot tantamount to abandonment

In Star Scientific Limited v. The Controller of Patents and Designs, C.A.(COMM.IPD-PAT) 20/2024, the Delhi High Court reversed the decision of the Controller of Patents and Designs which had rejected patent application no. 202017011947 on the ground that the Applicant/ Appellant did not attend the pre-scheduled hearing (and consequently, that all the objections raised raised […]

Thailand: IP Fair 2024 Highlights Innovations and Business Ideas in Intellectual Property

From August 16-18, 2024, the Department of Intellectual Property Thailand (DIP), in partnership with various public and private sector organizations, hosted IP Fair 2024. This is an annual event to raise awareness about intellectual property (IP), bridge the gap between IP and the business world, and celebrate groundbreaking intellectual creations. The theme for this year’s […]

India- High Court emphasizes the crucial role of procedural fairness in patent application evaluation

The surge in patent filings and government initiatives highlight India’s commitment to fostering innovation. Despite challenges faced by the Indian Patent Office and the applicants, the principles of natural Justice remain pivotal. A recent ruling by the Delhi High Court in the matter of Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC v. The Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs […]

India- Withdrawn Patent Application Cannot Be Used as Prior Art

In a recent judgement, the Madras High Court set aside an order issued by the Controller of Patents (the “Respondent”) against Dr. Vandana Parvez and others (the “Appellant”) refusing the latter’s Patent Application. Background: The Respondent refused the patent application numbered 202041010232 (hereinafter referred to as “IN’232”) as being anticipated by a patent application numbered […]

Protecting AI inventions in Singapore

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is profoundly impacting business and society, with AI now possessing the ability to write code, design drugs, develop products, and overhaul processes, among other innovations. This emergence of AI has sparked inquiries into the role of patent laws in protecting AI inventions. Patent protection can significantly enhance the commercial […]

Singapore: Patents Formalities Manual updates

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (‘IPOS’) recently issued a circular announcing various updates to the Patents Formalities Manual (‘Manual’) pertaining to practices and processes. New programmes that have been recently introduced in patents have also been incorporated herein. WIPO Standard ST.26 for sequence listing In IPOS Digital Hub Practice Direction No. 2 of 2023 […]

UDRP domain name complaints based on Bad faith- Good outcomes!

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently issued an interesting decision in a Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceeding, in Philip Morris Products S.A. v. Konstantin Danilidi Case No. D2024-0008. Philip Morris Products S.A. (the “Complainant”) contended that the disputed domain name <heetflavrs.com> was registered and is being used in bad faith by Konstantin Danilidi […]

India- Permissibility of claim amendments in the context of methods of agriculture or horticulture

The Delhi High Court recently set aside an order issued by the Assistant Controller of Patents (the “Respondent”) against Mitsui Chemicals Inc (the “Appellant”) refusing their Patent Application. Background: The Respondent refused the Patent Application No. 3877/DELNP/2009 citing non-patentability under Section 3(h) of the Patents Act, 1970 (as amended) (the “Act”) (which stipulates that inventions […]