In addition to the existing CS&E programme with IP Viet Nam, IPOS has expanded its CS&E programme with the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP), Indonesia to expedite the prosecution process for parties who have an interest to pursue patent applications in both countries. This pilot programme was introduced on 2 January 2025 for 2 […]
India- Court clarifies the criteria of “Technical Contribution” in relation to computer-related inventions
The Delhi High Court has offered important insights into the understanding of Section 3(k) of the Indian Patents Act ,1970 (the “Act”) in its decision, Blackberry Limited v. Controller of Patents and Designs [C.A.(COMM.IPD-PAT) 318/2022]Top of Form. The Court has established a significant precedent and has clarified the scope of “technical effects” in relation to computer-related inventions (‘CRIs’). […]
India- Permissibility of filing a divisional application on the date of grant of the parent application?
In BASF SE v. Controller of Patents and Designs ((T)CMA(PT) No.38 of 2024), the Madras High Court quashed the order passed by the Controller of Patents and Designs refusing to grant the patent application in respect of a Divisional Application on the ground that the said divisional application was filed after the grant of patent […]
IPOS-MyIPO PPH Pilot Program
Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is a work-sharing program that accelerates the examination of a patent application in a country’s patent office (the Office of Later Examination, or OLE) by relying on the search and examination results from another country’s patent office (the Office of Earlier Examination, or OEE). On 18th January 2025, the Intellectual Property […]
Thailand Expands the Scope of the ‘Target Patent Fast-Track’ Programme to cover “Green Innovation”
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has taken a significant step toward promoting environmentally sustainable innovation by expanding the ‘Target Patent Fast-Track’ Programme for Invention and Petty Patent Applications (hereinafter “Application” or “application”) to include “Green Innovation”. Originally launched on 8th December 2023, the programme initially focused on ‘Medical Sciences & Public Health’ and ‘Future […]
Updates to Singapore’s regulations relating to patent linkage
Amendments to Singapore’s Health Products (Therapeutic Products) Regulations (the TPR) came into force on August 1, 2024, relating to patent linkage. By way of background, the patent linkage regime in Singapore under the TPR before the amendments came into effect on August 1, 2024, requires an applicant for product registration and marketing approval of a […]
A guide to safeguard industrial designs in India
An industrial design recognizes new creation and original features of new shapes, configuration, surface patterns, ornamentation and composition of lines or colours applied to articles which, in the finished state, appeal to and are judged solely by the eye. A new and innovative design makes a product aesthetically attractive, appealing, or desirable, and increases product’s […]
India- High Court reminds the Indian Patent Office to issue reasoned decisions/orders
In Regeneron Pharmaceuticals v Controller of Patents and Designs ((T)CMA(PT) No.191 of 2023), the Madras High Court set-aside an order passed by the Indian Patent Office (‘IPO’) on the grounds of lack of sufficient reasoning and absence of a speaking order.. Consequently, the matter was remanded back to the IPO for consideration afresh. Background: The […]
Novartis v. Natco Pharma Limited – Patent Examination and Opposition proceedings under the Patents Act are ‘Parallel but Independent’, says Delhi High Court
In the case of Novartis Ag v. Natco Pharma Limited & Anr., a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court (in LPA 50/2023,) clarified that the process of substantive examination of a patent application and a pre-grant opposition proceeding are two separate and independent processes/proceedings, and that the opponent has no right to intervene in […]
India- High Court remands matter back to the Patent Office owing to lacunae in assessment of inventive step
The Madras High Court, in a ruling concerning an appeal filed by Hendrickson USA (producers of heavy-duty suspension systems), remanded their patent application for an invention entitled the “Axle Mount for Heavy-Duty Vehicle Brake System Components”, back to the Patent Office. The Court determined that the Patent Office had not sufficiently evaluated the “technical advancement” […]