India is one of the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Further, India is fast emerging as a major market for research and technology driven products. Hence, over the years, the number of patent applications filed in India has soared. In the year 2015, India stood at 9^th and 6^th positions in the ranking of the number of patent applications filed in India by residents and non-residents, respectively. Similarly, the number of trademark applications filed in India has soared over the years. In the year 2015, India stood at 2nd and 9th positions in the ranking of the number of patent applications filed in India by residents and non-residents, respectively.

To handle and prosecute the increase in number of patent and trademark applications, the commerce and industry ministry has been augmenting manpower and is providing training to them. At the CII India-UK Tech Summit held in New Delhi, between November 7-9, 2016 the Joint Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Rajiv Aggarwal said that a year ago, the first examination of trademark applications was taking almost a year and half. In the month of November, 2016 the time for first examination of trademark applications has come down to around 4-5 months. By March 2017, it is expected that the first examination of trademark applications will come down to only one month. Similarly, for the first examination of patent applications it used to take approximately 6-7 years. It is aimed to bring down the first examination of patent applications to just 18 months by March 2018.

Conclusion:

It can be clearly seen that Indian patent office is striving to meet the expectations of stake holders when it comes to faster prosecution of the applications related to patent and trademark. Faster prosecution of the applications will lead to further increase the filing of patent and trademark applications, which is beneficial to the stakeholders and the patent office.

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