Covid-19 & IP Updates

Hyderabad-based CSIR validates rural innovator’s technology to kill coronavirus | The Indian Express | September 15

Hyderabad-based Saptagir partners with Jubliant Generics to manufacture antiviral drug Remdesivir | India Today | September 14

The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) launches its patent protected low-cost Covid-19 treatment equipment (breathable PPE) NavRakshak | Deccan Chronicle | September 14

PNB Vesper Life Sciences’ new patented drug gets approval for mid-stage trial | Financial Express | September 13

IIT-Guwahati team develops and files for a patent for self-check kiosk to detect, prevent COVID-19 | Down to Earth | September 9

Innovative quarantine inventions: Woman modifies her gym cycle to grind flour while exercising | Times of India | September 5

Bengaluru based doctors develop and are in the process of applying for a patent for in-tube assay for the assessment of specific T cell immune responses to stimulation by novel coronavirus | Times Now News | September 2

US is probing Moderna’s patents over its failure to disclose govt funding | The Print | August 30

Moderna failed to disclose federal support in vaccine patents, researchers say | The Washington Post | August 28

SC favors Patanjali Ayurved in trademark dispute, allows using term ‘Coronil’ | Hindustan Times | August 27

ITI Behrampur files for a patent for three innovations, namely, Robo warrior, UVC Sole Sanitizer, and mobile swab collection kiosk | The New India Express | August 22

Make COVID-19 vaccine available to all sans patent protection: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus | The New India Express | August 18

China grants its first covid vaccine patent to CanSino | Livemint | August 17

Madras HC Division Bench issues an interim stay on the order restraining Patanjali Ayurved from using mark ‘Coronil’ for its immunity booster tablet | Bar & Bench | August 14

Bangalore start-up IShield develops a fabric, using which it has made an affordable self-disinfecting mask that is effective against coronavirus; files patent for the process of using the molecule on a fabric, making it disinfect the virus | The Economic Times | August 14

Zydus Cadila launches Remdesivir at cheapest rates in India | Financial Express | August 13

The Vaccine Scramble Is Also a Scramble for Patents | Bloomberg | August 12

Moderna says uncertain about coronavirus vaccine patent exclusivity | Reuters | August 11

Surat techie refuses to patent the infrared-based touch-free panel for lifts invented by him | The Print | August 10

Madras HC Restrains Patanjali from Using Trademark ‘Coronil’ for Its Immunity Booster Tablet | SpicyIP | August 6

Fluid Trademarks: An Alter Ego for Brands? | SpicyIP | August 7

Covid boosts innovation: Indore tops trademark, patent applications in Madhya Pradesh | Times of India | August 3

‘Suspend patents on Covid-19 drugs in India to ensure  accessibility & affordability’ | Times of India | July 27

New technology for COVID-19 rapid testing developed by IIT Kharagpur, to cost just Rs 400 | Financial Express | July 25

Countries Are Adapting Intellectual Property Laws to Prioritise Health During COVID-19 | The Wire | July 24

Patanjali moves Madras HC to vacate injunction on ‘Coronil | The Hindu | July 23

The world needs a ‘people’s vaccine’ for coronavirus, not a big-pharma monopoly | The Guardian | July 23

Jubilant Generics gets DCGI nod to manufacture COVID-19 drug Remdesivir | Deccan Chronicle | July 21

Police arrest 14 in Mumbai, Hyderabad for black-marketing covid drug | Live Mint | July 20

Could the coronavirus lead to a reassessment of vaccine patent laws?| The Week | July 19

Madras HC Restrains Patanjali From Using Trademark ‘Coronil’ | The Wire | July 18

CSIR suggests cap on remdesivir price | Times of India | July 17

Compulsory licensing amid the Covid-19 pandemic | The Daily Guardian | July 17

Russian spies target Covid-19 vaccine research | BBC | July 16

When a Covid-19 vaccine is discovered, will it be freely available and be affordable to all? | Scroll.in | July 15

European Parliament backs WHO effort to create a Covid-19 technology access pool | STAT | July 13

Glenmark Pharma drops price of Covid-19 drug Favipiravir to Rs 75/tablet | Hindustan Times | July 13

Covid-19 pandemic and online education: An overview of the potential copyright challenges | Times Now News | July 10

Doors closed, library to opens online access | Times of India | July 10

IIIT-B to make open source a new ventilator design that it has been developing along with a startup | Financial Express | July 10

‘Increased demand and limited supply’: Delhi faces shortage of experimental antiviral drug Remdesivir | Times Now | July 9

Compulsory licensing of remdesivir a feasible option? | Market Express | July 9

BSDU students develop a 3-in-1 Covid safety device; Patent office publishes the patent | The Tribune | July 9

Hyderabad firm Ven Energy Processors develops and files a patent for ‘Disinfectant Dry Fog C-Gate’ | The New Indian Express | July 8

Tamil Nadu-based Siddha practitioner develops and files a patent for ‘IMPRO’ medicine claiming that it can cure COVID-19 | Business Insider | July 7

Chennai based company develops and patents a device ‘to bridge gap between COVID-19 patients and healthcare staff | ANI | July 7

CPI(M) calls upon the Government to issue a compulsory license for Remdesivir under Section 92 of the Patents Act | The Week | July 5

A team based in Goa makes and files a patent for ‘Multi-Mask’, a product that combines the mask and the face shield and offers several other advantages | Herald | July 5

Nationalism, Drugs and Public Interest – Remdesivir and Beyond | SpicyIP | July 4

Will India Get Impacted By US Buying ‘All’ of Remdesivir Supply? | The Quint | July 3

Health experts slam US mass purchase of licensed virus drug for Covid-19 | Business Standard | July 2

IIT Roorkee researchers develop and file a patent for sterilizing system for disinfecting personal belongings against coronavirus | Hindustan Times | July 2

IIT alumnus creates and patents deodorant-cum-sanitizer which keeps coronavirus away and also smells good | Business Insider | July 2

After Cipla and Hetero, Mylan gets govt nod to make Remdesivir for Coronavirus treatment | Financial Express | July 2

How secret deals could keep a COVID-19 drug out of reach for millions | Los Angeles Times | July 1

Scrambling for unavailable Remdesivir, desperate patients in India turned to Bangladesh | The Caravan | June 29

Gilead prices its Covid-19 drug candidate remdesivir at $2,340 per patient | Hindustan Times | June 29

To Mock the Corona Word: Disparaging During the Time of Crisis | SpicyIP | June 28

Intersection Of Artificial Intelligence, Copyright And COVID | Live Law | June 25

Don’t ask for source code: Govt’s new rules could leave devices more vulnerable | Business Express | June 25

A statement by Indian civil society including health rights activists, grassroots activists and lawyers, asserts the need for open innovation and knowledge sharing for COVID-19 healthcare through Indian IP laws | The Leaflet | June 24

Delhi HC Restrains Publication Of Advertisements Linking ‘Corona Beer’ With ‘Coronavirus’ | Live Law | June 23

Patent pooling, a Covid success story | Business Line | June 23

Office of CGPDTM notifies that public notice dated May 20 is withdrawn and due date for filing etc. shall be the date as decided by the Delhi HC; Copyright Office notifies the same | June 19

Delhi HC extends operation of its interim order dated May 21 whereby it stayed IP Office’s public notices issued on May 18 and May 20 with respect to due dates for filings etc. | June 17

Bombay High Court extends life of interim orders, stay orders in eviction matters until July 15 | Bar and Bench | June 17

IIT researcher to file a patent for an AI-powered cheap COVID-19 testing kit developed by him | LiveMint | June 17

Compulsory licensing in COVID-19: Does it differ from the global HIV/AIDS pandemic? | Times Now | June 16

Jadavpur University files for a patent for a low-cost intelligent cough and speech sensing device for COVID-19 | Campus Varta | June 16

IIT innovations ready to hit commercial market to fight COVID-19 | Press Trust of India | June 15 

India’s Zydus Cadilla signs pact with Gilead Sciences to make antiviral drug Remdesivir | News18 | June 12

Fake Amul, Swiggy, Nike masks hit the market | The Economic Times | June 11

Delhi High Court grants temporary injunction restraining a textile company from selling face masks having the registered trademark of Tommy Hilfiger | Live Law | June 10

Arvind Ltd to make anti viral fabric and garments in India using a patent pending technology developed by HeiQ Viroblock | Livemint | June 10

Patents for Pharmaceutical Innovation – Basic Concerns | SpicyIP | June 9

Maharashtra Govt decides to import generic version of Gilead’s Remdesivir from Bangladesh drug maker Eskayef Pharmaceuticals | Money Control | June 8

Researchers at IIT-Hyderabad develop low-cost test kit that can detect COVID-19 within 20 minutes | The Times of India | June 6

Indian licensees free to price Remdesivir: Gilead | The Economic Times | June 4

Real-Time Piracy Concerns Emerge as Live Music Streaming Goes Mainstream in Wake of COVID-19 | SpicyIP | June 4

Researchers at Delhi’s Hansraj College develop anti-Covid molecule, tie-up with UK-based company for clinical trials | The Times of India | June 2

Drug giant AstraZeneca urged to make vaccine patent-free | Independent | June 3

CDSCO approves use of Remdesivir for treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 in adults and children hospitalised “with severe disease” | The Indian Express | June 2

India advocates in favor of the flexibilities offered under the TRIPS Agreement to effectuate access to medicines and vaccines required to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the General Council Meeting of the WTO  | The Economic Times | June 1

Two IIT-B startups file a patent for temperature sensors to detect Covid suspects in a crowd | Hindustan Times | June 1

Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences files a patent for a cheap rapid COVID-19 detection kit | Outlook | June 1

APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University files a patent for a multi-purpose robot capable of sanitizing, delivering food and medicines, thermally scanning patients, among other things | The Week | May 30

Pharma leaders shoot down WHO voluntary pool for patent rights on Covid-19 products | STAT | May 29

Lovely Professional University files a patent for a new algae-based respirator that may help people wearing masks breath easy | The Economic Times | May 29

BDR Pharma seeks DCGI’s approval to manufacture and sell the generic version of Remdesivir without entering into a licensing agreement; Gilead approaches Govt | Economic Times | May 28

Govt makes the Android version of its contact tracing app Aarogya Setu open source | The Indian Express | May 27

Are Patent Pools an Effective Solution to COVID-19’s IP Barriers? | SpicyIP | May 26

Self-taught engineer from Nashik innovates and files a patent for a tractor-mounted sanitisation sprayer | The New India Express | May 26

COVID-19 Response: India Should Use The Security Exception Under The TRIPS Agreement | Live Law | May 26

Needed: A fellowship of countries to fight Covid-19 | Hindustan Times | May 26

SpicyIP Tidbit: Reverse Engineering of Aarogya Setu App Not Prohibited Anymore | SpicyIP | May 25

Copyright Office extends due dates for filings etc. for a duration of 15 days after the lifting of lockdown | Copyright Office | May 22

IP Office informs that all show cause hearings fixed till 31 May 2020 are adjourned till further order | Office of CGPDTM | May 22

Dilemma for doctors as Roche’s experimental drug for Covid-19 is ‘life-saver’ but too costly | The Economic Times | May 21

Will the COVID-19 Pandemic Change the IP Domain for the Better? | The Wire | May 21

Patent Office issues a public notice concerning submission of documents for a petition filed under Rule 6(6) of the Patent Rules | Patent Office | May 20

Patent Agent Examination has been postponed till further notice | Office of CGPDTM | May 19

Fact Checking the Fact Check: Is Circulation of Free E-Newspapers Permitted under Copyright Law? | SpicyIP | May 19

Tripura University’s assistant professor to file a patent for a robot meant to help in the fight against COVID-19 | Hindustan Times | May 19

IP Office extends timelines for filings, fee payments etc. to June 1 | Office of CGPDTM | May 18

Senior lawyers to urge Bombay HC Chief Justice to resume physical hearings | The Indian Express | May 18

US and UK ‘lead push against global patent pool for Covid-19 drugs’ | The Guardian | May 17

WHO and Costa Rica preview technology pooling initiative to ensure access to COVID-19 health products for all | WHO | May 15

G20 meet: India proposes pact to use TRIPS flexibilities for access to cheap medicines | Hindu Business Line | May 15

Kerala supports Open Covid Movement | The New India Express | May 15

Affordable access to Covid-19 drugs: Are voluntary patent licences here to stay? | The Economic Times | May 15

World Leaders, Experts Sign Unprecedented Letter Urging Govts to Back Free COVID Vaccine, Treatments | The Wire | May 14

Health groups ask India to rescind Gilead’s patents for COVID-19 drug Remdesivir | Reuters | May 14

Defence Ministry patents low-cost PPE developed by Navy to move towards its mass production | The New Indian Express | May 14

Gilead gives royalty-free licences for Remdesivir to Cipla, Jubilant Life, three others | LiveMint | May 13

World Health Assembly draft resolution boosts access to Covid-19 medicines | STAT | May 13

Contouring IPR and service sector regulation against COVID-19| Medianama | May 13

WIPO launches COVID-19 IP Policy Tracker | WIPO 

IPAB notifies procedure for e-filing of cases until further orders | IPAB | May 12

Delhi HC suspends operation of IP Office’s public notice dated May 4 whereby the deadline for filings, payments and completion of other acts was extended till May 18 | May 12

IPAB notifies procedure to be followed on hearing of cases through video conferencing | IPAB | May 11

IPAB notifies that it will conduct hearings only through video-conferencing; allows only e-filing of urgent cases till further orders | IPAB | May 8

IPAB addresses the IP legal fraternity and assures start of hearings through video conferencing | Lex Orbis | May 8

Gilead in talks with generic drugmakers for development of remdesivir in India | The Indian Express | May 7

A nanotech company files patent for a device called ‘CoronaOven’ that disinfects anything placed inside including groceries | Indian Express | May 7

Who can make Gilead’s coronavirus drug, licence free? | LiveMint | May 6

Covid 19 pandemic, patents and licensing models: The need for a balanced approach | Times Now | May 5

IP Offices functional at reduced capacity, but deadlines extended till May 18 | Office of CGPDTM | May 4

Coronavirus funding pledges must require vaccine to be patent-free, campaigners say | Global Justice | May 4

Justice Pratibha Singh of the Delhi HC argues for the urgent need for creation of a patent pool to tackle COVID-19 | The Hindu | May 1

A Kerala Institute files for a patent for a plant extraction’s effective anti-virus property, which is dubbed to fight COVID-19 | The Indian Express | April 30

A Hyderabad-based company applies for a patent for a first-of-its-kind immunoglobulin Covid-19 injection | The New India Express | April 30

The Legality of Digital Libraries in a Lockdown | SpicyIP | April 29

BananaIP announces that it will file free patent applications for inventors who adopt the Open COVID pledge | BananaIP | April 29

Govt doesn’t plan to grant compulsory license for Remdesivir; hopes for voluntary licensing by Gilead | LiveMint | April 28

Researchers at Noida university file patent for a molecule with potential to treat COVID-19 | The Week | April 28

Affordable test methods to drones: Institutions take the innovation route to aid COVID-19 fight | Business Standard | April 28

India should leverage its HCQ diplomacy with the US & its Patent Law strengths | Business Line | April 25

Govt urged to revoke patent for Gilead’s potential anti COVID-19 drug Remdesivir | SpicyIP | April 24

IIT professor develops software to detect COVID-19 within 5 seconds using X-ray scan | Economic Times | April 24

Publishers warn of copyright action against circulation of PDF files of Assamese classics, an emerging trend during the lockdown. | The Telegraph | April 24

To tackle the corona crisis, enable and bring together innovative research on a common intellectual property platform | The Times of India | April 23 

TFORD-COVID19 publishes its summary assessments of patent barriers in India to drug candidates for COVID-19 | April 22

Amazon, IBM, Microsoft to make patents available for free to fight COVID-19 | The Times of India | April 21

Deputy Controllers and  other senior officers at Delhi Patent Office resume attending office | Patent Office | April 20

Gilead likely to voluntarily grant licence to Indian companies to manufacture generic versions of its potential anti-COVID (patented) drug Remdesivir | Business Today | April 20

LPU files patent for a portable UV racket that can disinfect surfaces just by waving it on them | Business Line | April 18

CovEducation, Copyright and Fair Use in India | SpicyIP | April 17

Extension of deadlines for IP filings in India – contradiction between the IP Office notices and the Supreme Court’s order? | Abhilasha Nautiyal | April 17

Serum Institute says it’s not going to patent the vaccine it is developing for COVID-19 | Deccan Herald | April 17

Anna University files patent for a hand sanitizer that can eliminate the genetic material of coronavirus | The Times of India | April 17

Dr Reddy’s denies reports of being in early stages of making a generic version of Gilead’s patented anti-COVID-19 drug Remedesivir | Business Standard | April 16

Bombay HC extends interim orders till June 15 | Economic Times | April 16

Last date to register for Patent Agent Exam 2020 extended to May 4 | Office of CGPDTM | April 15

IP Offices physically closed, hearings adjourned and deadlines extended till May 3 but e-filing services remain available | Office of CGPDTM | April 15

CSIR issues Technology and IP guidelines for COVID-19 related technologies/products developed by CSIR Labs | CSIR | April 14

Brazilian lawmakers propose compulsory licensing for Covid-19 products | STAT | April 13

Cancer Patients Aid Association urges Health Ministry to revoke patent on potential anti-COVID19 drug Remdesivir | The Hindu | April 13

CII-Telangana moots COVID Innovation and IP Pool | The Hindu | April 13

Northern Railway contemplates applying for a patent for the design of the isolation coach prepared | The Indian Express | April 7

Will intellectual property be a hurdle in India’s fight against COVID-19? | Business Today | April 5

Online teaching during pandemic raises copyright concerns | Bloomberg Law | April 3

Corona and trademarks: Opportunistic marketing or unhealthy opportunism? | SpicyIP | April 1

BHU researchers file for a patent for a new COVID-19 test kit invented by them | India Today | March 31

CoViD-19 Pandemic Spurs Calls for ‘Openness’ in IP | SpicyIP | March 31

Invoking fundamental right to health to push Govt to use patent law levers to ensure access to medical devices | SpicyIP | March 29

Potential anti-COVID-19 drugs have patents barrier in India | The Wire | March 29

India’s first Covid-19 IP dispute? Dettol handwash ad claimed to disparage lifebuoy soap trademark | SpicyIP | March 28

Johns Hopkins University says that it didn’t authorize use of its logo on a report titled ‘Covid19 for India Updates’ | LiveMint | March 28

Canada enacts a law that would make it faster to issue compulsory licenses for medical products in case of a public health emergency | Jurist | March 27

The need for an IP Policy to build a strategic stockpile for pandemics | SpicyIP | March 26

Corona and IP – Looking for the right(s) answers | SpicyIP | March 26

Interim orders passed by various courts automatically extended | March 26

Xiaomi patents new mask in India with improved fit and protection amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. | BGR | March 26

IP Offices close for 21 days; deadlines extended till Offices reopen; hearings at Patent Office scheduled till April 14 cancelled | Office of CGPDTM | March 25

Deadline for registration for Patent Agent Examination 2020 extended to April 15 | Office of CGPDTM | March 25

Many coronavirus related trademark applications filed with the Trademark Registry | March 25

Germany plans to amend law to restrict effect of patents in event of a crisis | Kluwer Patent Blog | March 24

Covid-19 and the comeback of compulsory licensing | Medicines Law & Policy | March 23

COVID-19: How best can the Indian IP Office help its stakeholders? [Updated] | SpicyIP | March 23

Bombay HC postpones site visits and meetings by court receiver’s staff in 16 IP disputes by atleast one week | The Times of India | March 17

COVID-19 related adjournments at Indian Patent Office, IPAB [Updated] | SpicyIP | March 16

Patent politics in the time of corona | SpicyIP | March 13