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53. Term of patent.—

[(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the term of every patent granted, after the commencement of the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2002, and the term of every patent which has not expired and has not ceased to have effect, on the date of such commencement, under this Act, shall be twenty years from the date of filing of the application for the patent] Subs. by Act 38 of 2002, s. 27, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 20-5-2003). 

[Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the term of patent in case of International applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty designating India, shall be twenty years from the international filing date accorded under the Patent Cooperation Treaty] The Explanation ins. by Act 15 of 2005, s. 38 (w.e.f. 1-1-2005).

(2) A patent shall cease to have effect notwithstanding anything therein or in this Act on the expiration of the period prescribed for the payment of any renewal fee, if that fee is not paid within the prescribed period [or within such extended period as may be prescribed] Subs. by s. 38, ibid., for “or within that period as extended under this section” (w.e.f. 1-1-2005).

(3) [Omitted by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005]Sub-section (3) omitted by s. 38, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-1-2005).

[(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, on cessation of the patent right due to non-payment of renewal fee or on expiry of the term of patent, the subject matter covered by the said patent shall not be entitled to any protection] Ins. by Act 38 of 2002, s. 27 (w.e.f. 20-5-2003).