Centre reduces patent fees for all educational institutions by 80%

The concession now is almost similar to the concession provided to startups under Startup India initiative.

In a yet another significant push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Centre has reduced patent filing and processing fees charged on educational institutions by 80% to promote research activities and required amendments have been notified to the Patents Rules.

“These (educational) institutions engage in many research activities, where professors, teachers and students generate several new technologies which need to be patented for facilitating commercialisation of the same. High patenting fees presents a restrictive element for getting these technologies patented and thus work as a disincentive for development of new technologies,” according to an official release issued by the Commerce & Industry Ministry.

“At the time of applying for patents, the innovators have to apply these patents in the name of the institutions that have to pay fees for large applicants, which are very high and thus work as a disincentive. In this regard and to encourage greater participation of the educations institutions, who play a pivotal role in country’s innovation, official fees payable by them in respect of various acts under the Patents Rules, 2003, have been reduced by way of the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021, which came into effect on 21 September 2021," Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said in a statement.

DPIIT said educational institutions engage in many research activities, where professors/teachers and students generate several new technologies which need to be patented to facilitate commercialization of the same. “High patenting fees present a restrictive element for getting these technologies patented and thus work as a disincentive for development of new technologies," it added.

The commerce and industry ministry said high patenting fees presents a restrictive element for getting these technologies patented and thus work as a disincentive for development of new technologies.

Patents Rules have been amended in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 to achieve the objective of removing procedural inconsistencies and unnecessary steps in processing of applications, thereby speed up grant/registration and final disposal.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona