“Indian Patent Statistics, Indian Patent Grants, Interesting Inventions, WIPO Academy to host WIPO – India Summer School, IP Innovation Gallery at RGNIIPM, SEVEN Networks files a mega patent infringement suit on Apple Inc., EPO refers G3/19 issue to the Enlarged Board of Appeals, EPO invites proposals for patent research grants and other patent news updates” presented by the Patent attorneys and experts of BananaIP Counsels, India’s leading Patent Firm.
Quote of the Week
“Ideas in your mind have no patent value. They must be expressed or reduced to practice before it is too late” – Dr. Kalyan C. Kankanala, Author, Professor and Renowned Patent Attorney.
Indian Patent Statistics
A total of 503 patent applications have been published in the 15th issue of the Patent Journal, 2019. Out of the 503 applications, 10 applications account for early publications while 503 applications account for ordinary publications or publications occurring after the 18 – month period. A total of 330 applications were granted last week marking an increase of about 49.69% in grants.
Early Publications
| City | Previous Week | This Week | Percentage of change |
| Delhi | 35 | 3 | 91.42% decrease |
| Mumbai | 26 | 2 | 92.30% decrease |
| Chennai | 29 | 4 | 86.20% decrease |
| Kolkata | 3 | 1 | 66.66% decrease |
| Total | 93 | 10 | 89.24% increase |
Ordinary Publications
| City | Previous Week | This Week | Percentage of change |
| Delhi | 294 | 261 | 11.22% decrease |
| Mumbai | 58 | 55 | 5.17% decrease |
| Chennai | 124 | 168 | 35.48% increase |
| Kolkata | 14 | 19 | 35.71% increase |
| Total | 490 | 503 | 2.65% increase |
TOTAL PUBLICATIONS (Previous Week): 583
TOTAL PUBLICATIONS (This Week): 503
Percentage difference: 13.72% decrease
First Examination Report (FER) Statistics
A total of 788 FER’s have been issued last week. Applicants and their agents can check if any of their patent applications have been examined by referring to the journal available here.
| City | No. of FER Issued |
| Delhi | 294 |
| Mumbai | 107 |
| Chennai | 286 |
| Kolkata | 101 |
| Total | 788 |
PUBLICATIONS UNDER GRANT
| City | Previous Week | This Week | Percentage of change |
| Delhi | 250 | 123 | 50.80% decrease |
| Mumbai | 81 | 50 | 38.27% decrease |
| Chennai | 212 | 106 | 50% decrease |
| Kolkata | 113 | 51 | 54.86% decrease |
| Total | 656 | 330 | 49.69% decrease |
Number of Applications published based on applicant city
Of the total 503 patent applications published in the journal last week, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata have contributed a total of 69 applications. The total applications from each of the previously mentioned cities are as follows – 17 applications from Delhi, 13 applications from Mumbai, 16 applications from Bangalore, 12 applications from Chennai, 7 applications from Hyderabad and 4 applications from Kolkata.
| List of Cities | 1st January 2019 to 12th April 2019 | 5th April 2019 to 12th April 2019 |
| Delhi | 365 | 17 |
| Mumbai | 214 | 13 |
| Bangalore | 438 | 16 |
| Chennai | 365 | 12 |
| Hyderabad | 140 | 7 |
| Kolkata | 112 | 4 |
Total number of applications published by the Indian Patent Office from the 1st of January 2019 till date: 12565
- Early publications: 1150
- Ordinary Publications: 11415
Total number of patents granted by the Indian Patent Office from the 1st of January 2019 till date: 5995
- Delhi – 2177
- Mumbai – 845
- Chennai – 1957
- Kolkata – 1016
Indian Industrial Design Statistics
The designs office has registered a total of 213 designs this week. The total designs registered from the 1st of January 2019 till date now adds to a total of 4558 applications.
- Total designs registered in the previous Week: 156
- Total designs registered this Week: 213
- Percentage Difference: 36.53 % increase
Total designs registered from the 1st of January 2019 till date: 4558
Interesting Inventions of the Week
Invention 1: DESIGN OF AUTOMATIC COMMODE CLEANING SYSTEM
Patent Application No.: 201741035261
Applicant: Director BGS R&D
Abstract: “The use of robotics in day-to-day applications has become increasinglt common. The idea of this project is to provide a convenient and a hassle-free means of cleaning public toilets whilst maintaining hygienic and sanitary standards. Since there is no system developed yet to address the Indian style of commode, or both Indian and western style of commode, hence this system will address both the type of commode systems. The system developed consists of a synergistic integration of power source, DC motors, and gear mechanism, brush, incorporated with a PLC program, which is so mechanized to clean the, commode without any human intervention. With the government inclining towards maintaining good sanitary standards, this system can be deployed for cleaning toilets in the house hold, schools, colleges, hostel toilets, public restrooms, malls, corporate office, airways, railways ships and further more places where hygiene is given the prime importance.” (The abstract has been provided as is and has not been corrected for errors)
Invention 2: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL VOTING THROUGH VOTER’S IDENTITIES
Patent Application No.: 201711035299
Applicant: Mr. Prabhjyot Singh Sodhi
Abstract: “The mobile technology is ah ever evolving concept.Voting through mobile technology is also a new concept. In this paper we proposed a mobile frameworkthrough which a user can vote using his/her mobile from any location. This E-voting technology is secured and fast as compare to the traditional technologies that are currently existing in market. In this paper we have discussed various security issues of EVM or Ballot paper voting with respect to security, accuracy and precision of results. The security issues are seen in terms of possible attacks, system vulnerabilities and privacy concerns. We have also highlighted how the voting system can be tailored to provide a more secure mobile voting environment. We have considered the futuristic architectural framework for E- voting in our discussion. The basic concepts and features of the E-voting technology are explained here. We have also analyzed five pillars of strength for the E-voting security which would work in collaboration with each other to provide a secure mobile Voting environment to the user.” (The abstract has been provided as is and has not been corrected for errors)
India Patent Updates
WIPO Academy to host WIPO – India Summer School
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy, RGNIIPM (Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Intellectual Property Management) and the National Law University of Nagpur will jointly host the WIPO – INDIA Summer School in Nagpur in June this year. The program aimed at students and young professionals will be held between 17th and 28th June, 2019 and registrations may be submitted until the 14th June of 2019. A joint Certificate by WIPO, NLU and RGNIIPM will be awarded to the class consisting of 50 participants. For further details on the Summer School, click here.
IP Innovation Gallery at RGNIIPM
The IP Innovation gallery at RGNIIPM, Nagpur is finally set to open on 26th April, 2019. The gallery will house models and prototypes of exceptional inventions. Proposals can be submitted directly to RGNIIPM between 15th April and 25th April, if selected, the model will be on display for a period of six months. Participants are not required to pay any fee in order to have their inventions exhibited; however they must meet the eligibility criteria. A Certificate will be awarded by RGNIIPM on 26th April, to all the participants. Click here to access the official notification.
Patent / Design Infringements, Disputes, Licensing and Settlement
SEVEN Networks files a mega patent infringement suit on Apple Inc.
SEVEN Networks, a California based software company has instituted a suit against Apple in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas accusing Apple of infringing 16 of the company’s patents. The Plaintiff has requested for a Jury Trial in respect of the suit filed on to 10th April, 2019. SEVEN has alleged that Apple’s iCLoud, iDevices, Macs and other operating systems infringe the patents in question. Click here to access the original document.
International Patent Updates
EPO refers G3/19 issue to the Enlarged Board of Appeals
On account of a pending decision on patentability of plants and animals solely obtained by means of essential biological processes (the G3/19 case), the EPO issued an advanced notification to the general public on 9th April 2019. The President of EPO has referred principle questions of law to the Enlarged Board of Appeal under the provision – of Article 112(1)(b) of the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 4th April. EPO has sought clarification mainly in view of Article 164(2) EPC, on whether patentability of plants and animals attained through biological processes in furtherance to Rule 28(2) EPC confirms with Article 53(b) EPC. Until the Enlarged Board of Appeal issues its decision, all proceedings before the EPO examining and opposition divisions will be stayed ex officio as the decision is expected to have a major impact. The current notification is applicable immediately, however, the content of the notification will be considered authentic when published in the Office Journal (OJ) of the EPO.
EPO invites proposals for patent research grants
In order to support and encourage high quality research on patent matters, the EPO has invited proposals for well – defined projects that address certain specific areas in the field of IP. Under the Academic Research Program, interested persons may apply for the research grant by 12th June 2019. Project proposals must be related to the seven themes listed by the EPO some of which include – patents and disruptive technologies (AI, Blockchain, 3D, etc.), role of patents in technology transfer, commercialization and investment decisions, etc. Independent peer reviewers are expected to evaluate the proposals which must be submitted in English. Selection of projects will be based on of the research question, potential policy/business implications, clarity and quality of the proposed methodology, ability of the applicant to successfully complete the project and relevance of the proposed budget. For more information on the themes and the selection process, click here.
Authored and compiled by Vibha Amarnath
About BIP’s Patent Attorneys
Led by Senior Partners, Somashekar Ramakrishna, Nitin Nair and Vinita Radhakrishnan, BIP’s Patent Attorneys are among the leading patent practitioners in the country. They work with clients such as Mahindra and Mahindra, Samsung, HCL, Eureka Forbes, and Titan. They specialize in IT/Software, Electronics/Telecom, Mechanical, Automotive, and Bio/Pharma domains, and help clients with patent filing, prosecution, management and strategy in India, and across the world.
The weekly patent news initiative is a part of their pro bono work, and is aimed at spreading patent awareness. You are free to share the news with appropriate attribution and backlink to the source.
If you have any questions, you may write to BIP’s Patent Attorneys – contact@bananaip.com
