2.46 lakh patent applications pending due to manpower shortage

NEW DELHI: About 2.46 lakh patent applications and 5.32 lakh trademark registrations are pending with the government due to shortage of manpower, Parliament was informed today.
"There is pendency in patent and trademark applications, which are disposed of with the available manpower and infrastructure. The pendency as on November 1, is 2,46,495 in patent applications and 5,32,682 in trademark applications.

"This pendency is primarily due to shortage of manpower. The government has taken measures to augment available manpower and other necessary infrastructure," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitahraman said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

She said the government has sanctioned 373 additional posts in the patent wing, including 252 posts of examiners of patents and designs and 76 posts of controllers of patents and designs.

"Recruitment process to fill 459 vacant posts of examiners of patents and designs is underway. besides, as a short-term measure, 263 contractual posts of examiners of patents and designs have also been created," she added.

She added amendments have been proposed in both the patent rules and trade mark rules to streamline procedures for filing and disposal of applications.

Further the minister said India has granted 3,581 patents and registered 37,799 trademarks during this financial year till October 31.

It has rejected 605 patent applications and 6,543 trademark registrations during that period.