The wandering IPAB Delhi was given a ride home by an order of the Delhi HC which directed the setting up of a permanent place in Delhi for the IPAB to carry on its functions. The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (Indian Group) filed a writ petition highlighting the inconvenience caused due to the absence of a permanent office in Delhi.
Though the IPAB conducts hearings in five cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Chennai, except for Chennai, the government has not provided permanent places/offices for the regular sitting of the Board.
Difficulties of inspection, obtaining certified copies and venue related issues hindered smooth functioning of this institution. Moreover, the IPAB staff was inconvenienced as they had to transport large number of documents and records from one place to another.
After repeated prayers for the identification and establishment of a permanent office in Delhi, the Delhi High Court, on 17.3.2014, directed the IPAB to take steps for leasing/ renting the premises at Plot No. 25, August Kranti Mark, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. The IPAB has been directed to apply to the Central Public Works Department within 2 weeks for rent determination. Rent is to be determined within 4 weeks, after which the IPAB has been directed to enter into a lease agreement
The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (Indian Group) has been successful in enhancing institutional efficiency of the IPAB. They successfully filed a writ petition that lead to the creation of Circuit Benches of the IPAB in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. They have also successfully obtained an order from the Delhi HC directing the government to provide requisite funds to the IPAB for its circuit benches.
Hi, I couldn’t get hold of this order, could you post the link please?