Annual Report 2015-16 Review

I write to bring to your attention the Annual Report (2015-2016), compiled by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Geographical Indications (CGPDTM).

Instead of coming up with a comprehensive summary of the report, that would largely comprise of drowning you in information, I will attempt to provide you with a basic overview that will help you in digesting and comprehending the otherwise bulky report.

But first, I wish to bring to your notice a bit of shoddiness on the CGPDTM’s part.

In “Chapter II: Trends In IPR- At A Glance”:

The Table on Pg. 5 shows Patents “Disposal” at 21,987.

But the Table on Pg. 07 indicating Disposed Patents, in brackets, puts the figure at 20,423.

(The error aside, the following table provides the best overview of Chapter II)

It is pitiable that a report of such significance has such errors.

Anyway, I believe the accurate figure is 21,987 because the same figure was used again in Chapter IV (deals exclusively with Patents).

One might be interested to note that while a burden of 46,904 applications was placed on the Patent Office in the reporting year, it could be shake away only 21,987 of it. Meaning thereby that as time goes by, the Office will be deeper and deeper in work.

The lower quantum of examinations (16,851) than last year (22,631) is reportedly a result of a drop in the availability of examiners, despite an increase in availability of controllers.

The following are the relevant numbers for examiners:

Next, let us have a look at application figures for patents, designs, trade marks and GIs.

Apart from the data, the reports claims that “Besides regular monitoring and review of processing of applications at each level, the Patent Office further upgraded internal processing systems during 2015-16 through extensive computerization and automation so as to facilitate faster and quality examination and further processing.”

If you’re into trivia, you might like to note the following:
Top Indian Patentee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (113)
Top Foreign Patentee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. (252)
State with Highest Number of Patents Filed: Maharashtra

Moving on, the revenue generated seems to be healthy.

The organizations boast of a total revenue of ₹587.44 crores, with an expenditure of ₹76.97 crores.

The relevant data sets and infographics have been reproduced below:

Now, let us look at “Chapter III: Public Service Delivery-Efficiency and Transparency”.

The Chapters talks, inter alia, of the following:

1. India’s “Global Milestones”.

i. The Indian Patent Office acquired the status of an International Searching Authority under the Patent Co-operation Treaty, thus allowing it to process, so to speak, “international patents”.

ii. Trademarks Registry as Office of Origin under the Madrid Protocol, which allows for protection in multiple countries despite registration in only the country of origin.

2. Transparency in Patent Application Processing.

i. System for centralized serial numbering of patent applications was introduced.

ii. The CGPDTM intends to introduce an “auto-allotment” system shortly.

iii. Existence of online search facilities (“InPass”).

iv. Dynamic Utilities: Basically, real time updates of application status.

3. Transparency in Design Application Processing.

i. Information available online (procedures, application publications, etc.).

4. Transparency in TM Application Processing.

i. Examination allotment is automated.

ii. Centralization of the process.

iii. Publication of TM journal on www.ipindia.nic.in every Monday.

iv. Automated Renewal.

v. “A Stock and Flow Based Dynamic Utility”: Real time updates and categorized comprehendible information on application statuses.

5. Transparency in GI Application Processing.

i. Online filing of GI applications initiated.

6. Promotion of Mediation as a resolution process.

7. Facilities for Start-Ups.

The report claims that “Necessary assistance is routinely provided through e-mails and help-desk to resolve the queries of Start ups expeditiously”.

Finally, I shall give you a brief overview of “Chapter IX: International Cooperation”.

Apart from involvement in the PCT and the Madrid Protocol (discussed above), there exists reportage on the following matters:

European Union’s Support of Capacity-building Initiative for Trade Develoopment (CITD).
Interactions with IP Offices of Various Countries.
And other international meets.

Apart from the above, the rest of the individual chapters are as follows:

“Chapter IV: Patents” (Categorized Data)
“Chapter V: Designs” (Categorized Data)
“Chapter VI: Trademarks” (Categorized Data)
“Chapter VII: Geographical Indications” (Categorized Data)
“Chapter VIII: Patents Information System & R. G. National Institute of IP Management”
“Chapter IX: International Cooperation”
“Chapter X: Training Programs & Outreach Activities”
“Chapter XI: Human Resources”