The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks
(hereinafter referred to as the 'CGPDTM') recently brought
about an important change in the patent ecosystem. The CGPDTM on
September 17, 2019, published the Patent (Amendment) Rules, 2019
(hereinafter referred as "Rules").
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) had
previously published a draft for proposed amendments to the Patents
Rules, 2003 on December 4, 2018 inviting objections and suggestions
from all persons likely to be affected thereby.
Key takeaways from the Amended Rules 2019 are as
follows:
- Electronic Submission of
Records- The Amended Rules mandate that the Patent Agent
shall file, leave, make or give all documents only by electronic
transmission duly authenticated. Further, if required, the original
document shall be submitted within a period of 15 days.