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The Patents Laws in India

In Refrence With The Patents Act,1970


Intellectual Property Laws

Submitted By:
Kashish Khurana
Anmol Kataruka
BBA, ll.b(h.)
Batch 2011-16
9th semester

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

IwouldliketoexpressmyspecialthanksofgratitudetomyteacherMr.
MayankKapilawhogavemethegoldenopportunitytodothiswonderful
projectonthetopicTHEPATENTSLAWININDIAwhichalsohelped
meindoingalotofResearchandicametoknowaboutsomanynew
thingsIamreallythankfultohim.

INDEX
THE PATENETS ACT, 1970- AN OVERVIEW

Meaning of patent

Purpose of the patent system

Object of patent law

Gains to inventor

Application of patent

Joint Application

True and first inventor

APPLICATION BY

Non- patentable inventions

Priority date and its purpose

Procedure for obtaining patent

Provisional specification

11

Complete specification

11

Ground of opposition

11

Grant of Patent

12

Significance of date of patent and date of sealing

12

Obligations of patent holder

13

Register of patent

13

Rights of patent Holder

14

Types of patents

14

Infringement

17

Relief

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THE PATENETS ACT, 1970- AN OVERVIEW


Meaning of patent
Patentisgroundinfavouroftheinventorconferringonhimtherighttousehis
inventiontotheexclusiveofallothers.Itisgrantedforatime,(i.e)forafixedperiod
offiveyearswheretheproductorprocessrelatestofoodormedicineorforaperiod
of14yearsinothercases.Iftheinvestocannotuseorworktheinventionbyhimself,
hecandosoninassociationwithotherorassignittootherorhecangrantlicencesto
othertoworktheinventionforconsiderationorforfeeswhichiscalledRoyalty.
Whatisgrantedaspatentisaprivilegeofmaking,manufacturing,sellingorusingthe
inventionandalsoarighttoauthoriseothertodoso.Thosewhoinfringethepatent
are liable to be restrained by injunction. They will be liable to compensate the
inventorbypayingdamagesascertainedintermsofthelosssufferedbytheinvestor
ortheprofitsgainedbytheinfringerandnotboth.

Purpose of the patent system


Thepurposeofthepatentsystemis:

Toencourageresearchandpromotetheinventivegenius

ToSecureforinvestorsawardsforinventingusefulinventions

Togiveprotectiontoinventorsbyconferringthemamonopolyfrom
commercialexploitingtheirinventions.

Toinduceindustriestoundertakeresearchanddevelopment

Tomaintainaflowofinventions,oneinventionleadingtoanother.

Increasingbothqualitativelyandquantitatively,theproductionpotentialin
thecountry,bycreatingnewprocessesandnewmethodsinproductionof
goodsandservices.

Toaddtheindustrialgrowthofthecountryandimprovethequalitysincethe
beginningofthe1856hasgreatlyhelpedtheindustrialgrowth.Theprincipal
ofgrantinglimitedprotectiontotheinventorforaperiodinconsiderationof
hisdisclosingtheinvention,andthereafterreleasingtheinventiontopublic
usehasimprovedproductionofgoodsandservicesonmassscale.

The Patents Laws in India

Object of patent law


Theobjectofpatentlawistoencouragescientificresearchandindustrialprogress.
Grantofexclusiveprivilegetowon,useorsellthemethodandproductpatentedfora
limitedperiodstimulatesnewinventionsofcommercialutility.Thepricetothegrant
ofmonopolyisthedisclosureofinventionbytheinventoratpatentofficewhichafter
theexpiryofthefixedperiodofthemonopoly,passesintothepublicdomain.
Thefundamentalprincipleofpatentlawisthatpatentisgrantedonlyforaninvention
whichmustbenewanduseful.Thisistosaythatitmusthavenoveltyandutility.
Though the invention is not by itself new, the particulars use of it, for purpose
describedincombinationwithotherelementsofthesystem
Producingadvantageousresults,willbeasufficientelementofnoveltytosupportthe
patent.Itisessentialforthevalidityofthepatentthatitmustbeinventors own
discovery.

Gains to inventor
Thegainare:

Monetaryrewardstheinventormaygetfromtheauthoritiesandperson
whorecognizehismerit.

Protectionofhisinventionagainstpilferage,imitationand
infringement.

Thelawdoesnotcompeltheinventortotakeoutpatentforhis
invention.Theinventorcankeephisinventionsecretandworkuponit
himselfifhehastokeepthesecretofinventionforeverunkownto
others.

Iftheinventorhasnofinancialresourcesadequateenoughtoworkthe
inventionhecantransferthepatentforconsiderationtootherswhocan
workontheinventionorassignitbygrantinglicencetootheron
paymentoffeesorroyalty.

Inventionbecomesthepropertyoftheinventorwhenitispatented.
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Application of patent
Thefollowingpersonscanmakeapplicationforpatent.
Personclaimingtobethetrueandfirstinventoroftheinvention.
Theassigneeofthepersonclaimingtobethetrueandfirstinventorinrespectof
therighttomakesuchapplication.
Thelegalrepresentativeofthedeceasedpersonwhoimmediatelybeforehisdeath
wasentitledtomakesuchapplicationcanmakeanapplicationforpatent.

Joint Application

Iftheapplicationismadebythejointinventors,thepatentisgrantedintheirnames
jointly.
Iftheapplicationismadebytheassigneeoftheinventor,thepatentisgrantedinthe
namelyoftheassignee,astheassigneeoftheinventor.
Theinventorandhisassigneecanmakejointapplication.Thelegalrepresentativeof
theinventoralongwiththeassigneeorthelicenseecanmakejointapplication.
Therecannotbeanyquestionoflicenseegettingthepatentinhisname.Hisnamewill
beshownorregisteredasthelicenseeinthepatentafterthepatentisgrantedinthe
nameofinventororisassignee.

True and first inventor


Anypersonwhoinexerciseofhismindandskillinventsanewandnovelthingsfor
thefirsttimeisthetrueinventorandsuchinventorwhoappliesisthefirstinventor.
Iftwopersonsindependentlymakeaninvention,oneofthemappliesforthepatent
andtheotherkeepshisinventiontohisbreast,theonewhoappliesisthetrueandfirst
inventorentitledforpatent.

The Patents Laws in India

Thepersonwhohasideaoftheinventioncannotclaimtobethetrueandthefirst
inventorwhenanothertowhomtheideaisconveyed,gaveapracticalshapetothat
idea.

APPLICATION BY
Application by film , company, Association, etc
Nameoftheaboveviz,thefirm,company,jointfamily,cooperativesocietyor
association of persons can make an application as the true and first inventor of
invention.Howevertheycanmakeanapplicationforpatentasassigneeofthetrue
inventororasanassigneeofrighttoapply.

Application by foreigner
AforeignerincludingaforeignnationalresidingoutsideIndiacanmakean
applicationforpatentinIndia.
InrespectofaninventionmadebyhiminIndia
InrespectofaninventionmadebyhimoutsideIndia.
InrespectofaninventionobtainedbyhimasassigneeorlicenseemadewithIndia
oroutsideIndia.
Inrespectofaninventionforwhichheappliedforpatentinanyconventioncountry.

Application by India citizen


AnIndiancitizencanapplyforapatentinIndiaforaninventionmadebhimabroad
inanycountryirrespectivewhethersuchcountryisasignatoryoftheconvention
relatingtointellectualpropertyrightsornot.Theplacewheretheinventionismadeis
notrelevantforthepurposesofgrantingpatent.Similarly,anIndiancitizencanmake
an application for patent in any of the countries which are members of the
conventions relating to the intellectual property rights in respect of his invention
whetheritismadeinIndiaoranywhereabroad.Butheshouldobtainpriorpermission
ofthecontrollerofpatentsformakingsuchasapplicationabroad.

Non- patentable inventions


ThefollowingarenotinventionsforpurposeoftheActandthecontrollerofpatent
willnotgrantanypatentfortheseinventions.
Aninventionwhichisfrivolous
Aninventionintendedtobeusedcontrarytolawormoralityorinjuriousto
publichealth
Amerediscoveryofscientificprinciple.
Amerediscoveryofnaymewpropertyoramereuseofaknownprocessof
themachineorapparatusunlesssuchknownprocessresultsinanewproduct
oremploysatleastonereactant.
Substanceobtainedfrommereadmixture
Merearrangementorrearrangementorduplicationofaknowndeviceeach
functioningindependentlyofoneanotherinaknownway.
Methodorprocessoftestingapplicabilityduringtheprocessofmanufacture
forrenderingthemachine,apparatusorotherequipmentmoreefficientbyor
forimprovementorforrestorationofexistingmachine,apparatusorother
equipmentsforimprovementorcontrolofmanufacture.
Anyprocessinmedical,surgical,curative,prophylacticorothertreatmentof
humanbeingoranyprocessforsimilartreatmentofanimalsorplantsto
renderthemfreeofdiseaseortoincreasetheireconomicvalueoroftheir
products.

Priority date and its purpose


Prioritydateisthedateonwhichapplicantmakeshisapplicationforpatenttothe
controller.Theapplicationshouldnecessarilybeaccompaniedbyeitherprovisional
specification or by complete specification. Provisional specification describes the
outlineandgivesallindicationsoftheinventionforwhichpatentisapplied.The
completespecificationdescribedfullytheinvention.Sincethepatentisgrantedtothe
inventiononthebasisofcompletespecificationwhichiscontinuationoftheearlier
provisionalspecification,theprioritydateforsuchinventionhastobenecessarilythe
dateonwhichprovisionalspecificationisfiled.

Procedure for obtaining patent


1)Applicationforpatent
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The Patents Laws in India

Theapplicationshallbeintheappropriateprescribedformonly.Separateformsare
prescribedforfilingtheapplicationbythetrueandfirstinventor,andfortheassignee
orlegalrepresentativeoftheinventor.Theapplicationandallitsenclosuresshallbe
filedintriplicate.Thefeesshallbepaidalongwithapplication.Andthecontroller
willnottakeanyactionontheapplicationunlessthefeesisreceivedbyhim.
Where the application is sent by post it shall be sent by the Registered post
acknowledgementdue.Unlesstheacknowledgementisproducedthecontrollerwill
not accept any other proof of service. The application shall be accompanied by
provisionalspecificationorcompletespecificationasthecasemaybe.
Iftheapplicantistheassigneeorlegalrepresentative,proofofapplicantsrightto
maketheapplicationshallbefilledalongwiththeapplicationforpatentorwithin3
monthsfromthedateofapplication.Inallthecasestheapplicationshouldcontainthe
nameofthetrueandfirstinventorandapplicantmustalsosaythatheisinpossession
of the invention. The application shall be confined to one invention only. The
applicationshallbeeitherinEnglishorinHindi.
2)Precautionstobetaken
Patent office scrutinizes the application very carefully. Wherever the applicant is
requiredtosignheshallsigninfull.Allthedocumentsandallthecopiesrequiredto
befiledshouldbeproperlyattestedbytheauthoritycompetenttoattest.Itmaybe
notedthatthesealoftheattestingofficerisputonallthepages.ThePlans,designetc.
whicharerequiredtobefiledaredrawninpaperofqualityasmaybeprescribedand
shallbeinaccordancewithscaleandsize.Failuretosatisfytheofficeinanyofthese
matterswillresultinthereturnoftheapplicationandallthedocuments.
3)Stagesofprocedure
Onlyafterthefeesreceivedinfull,thecontrollerwillissueanacknowledgement
mentioningthedateonwhichtheapplicationisreceivedathisoffice.Thedateof
receiptoftheapplicationasmentionedintheacknowledgementisthedateofpriority
oftheapplication.Andapplicantshallbeverycarefulandvigilantinsecuringthe
officialacknowledgementandinpreservingittillthepatentisgranted.
a)Firststageofficeobjections
The office of the controller will then examine the application as to whether the
applicationfiledisinaccordancewiththeproceduresprescribed.Ifthereareany
deficienciestheapplicantisrequiredtomakegoodthedeficiencies.Aftertheoffice
objectionsaresatisfactorilycompliedwith,thecontrollerwillissueadirectionthat
theapplicationbekeptpendingfor12monthsreckonedfromthedateofreceiptof
application.Duringthisperiodtheapplicantshallfilethecompletespecification.The
layoverperiodisstatutorilyfixed.
Thistimeisintendedtoenabletheapplicanttoreexaminehisinvention,checkand
re check the result, improve upon the invention and explore the possibilities, its
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usefulnessandmarketability.The12monthslayoverperiodmaybeextendedby3
moremonthsifanapplicationisfiledtogetherwithcompletespecificationforits
extension.
b)SecondStage:ExaminationbyExaminer
Afterthecompletespecificationisfiled,thecontrollerwillrefertheapplicationtothe
examinerofthepatentwhoexaminestheapplicationthoroughlyonmeritsofthe
applicationforpatentandwhethertheapplicantisentitledtothegrantinaccordance
withtheclaimsmadeinhiscompletespecification.Ifthereareanyobjections,the
examinerofpatents willcommunicatethesametotheapplicantrequiringhimto
complywiththeobjections.Onconsiderationofallthemattersconnectedwiththe
grantof
patent,theexaminerfinallysubmitshisreporttothecontroller.TheExaminerof
patentsshallasfaraspossiblesubmithisreportwithin18monthsfromthedateof
reference or reference or such extended term as the controller may grant him to
submithisreport.
C)Thisstage:Acceptanceandproceedingsinopposition
Onreceiptofthereportfromtheexaminerofthepatent,thecontrollerwilldecidethe
issue of acceptance of the application. If accepted, the Controller will direct the
publicationofthepatentapplicationintheofficialgazetteforinformationtoallthose
whomaybeinterestedinopposingthegrantofpatent.Ifnoobjectionsfromanyof
theinterestpartiesarereceivedandifthecontrollerfindsogroundforrejectionsof
theapplication,he,byanordergrantsthepatent.
Incaseanyobjectionsarereceivedwithin4monthsfromthedateofpublication,the
controller will decide on the objection after giving full opportunity of making
representation,adducingofevidenceandhearingtoallthosewhofiledobjectionsand
theapplicant.TheOrdermadebythecontrollerattheconclusionoftheproceedings
inoppositionisaquasijudicialorder.Thecontrollerhimselffunctioningasaquasi
judicialtribunalwithpowerofacivilcourtinmattersofreceptionofevidenceand
holdingtrialasifitisasuit.Theproceedingsbeforethecontrollerfindsthatthe
objectorhimselfisentitledtothepatenthehasthepowertotreatthatpersonwhofiles
theobjectionastherealapplicantandproceedaccordingly.
d)Fourthstage:sealingofpatent
With in 6 months from the date of the order disposing off the objection in the
proceedingsofoppositionandgranttotheapplicantthepatent,theapplicantmay
applytothecontrollertoregisterthepatentandgranthimthePatentcertificateand
sealthepatent.Theapplicantwillthereafterwillbecalledapatentholderorpatentee.

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The Patents Laws in India

e)Refusaltograntpatentconsequence
Ifthecontrollerultimatelyrefusestograntthepatent,itmeansthattheapplicants
request to grant him monopoly in his invention is rejected. In other words the
knowledgeaboutinventionbecomespublicpropertyasanyotherinventionforwhich
apatentisnoteitherappliedfororthepatentthetermofwhichhasexpired.

Protectionperiod
Theperiodbetweenthedateonwhichtheapplicationismadealongwithprovisional
specification and the date on which the patent is granted is called the protection
period.Duringthisperiodtheinventorcanmakehisinventionknowntothepublic,
getpublishedinjournalandexhibittheprocessofthemanufactureandtheproduct
which couldbemanufactured.Since theinventorhas the advantage ofprotection
period,itisveryessentialandnecessarythatheshouldfirstmaketheapplicationfor
thegrantofpatentandthenonlythinkofpublishingtheinvention.

Provisional specification

Asthenameitselfshowsthattheprovisionalspecificationisaprovisionalintimation
oftheinventiontothecontroller.Theprovisionalspecificationshouldcontainthe
outlineoftheinventionandnotnecessarilybedetailed.Ifshouldindicatetheworking
andutilityoftheinvention.Thereisnoneedtofurnishanyminutedetailsthereof.
Thereshouldbeclearindicationintheprovisionalspecificationwhichcanbetreated
as having a fair reference to The claims to be incorporated in the complete
specification.Provisionalspecificationshouldcommencewithatitlewhichshould
sufficientlyintroducethesubjectmatteroftheinvention.Then,itshouldfollowthe
descriptiveoutlineoftheinvention,itsnovelty,workingandutility.

Complete specification
Aswiththeprovisionalspecification,completespecificationwillalsocommence
withthetitle,andaparagraphmaybedevotedfordefiningandexplainingvarious
termsusedinthespecifications.Thedescriptionoftheinventionwhichfollowsmust
be full and shall give all details. Simple and clear language shall be used and
ambiguityshouldbeavoided.Thedescriptionshallfollowasequenceofeitherevents,
thoughts,experimentsortheprogressionoftheinvention.

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Ground of opposition
Thegroundsonwhichonecanopposethegrantofpatenttothepersonwhoclaims
thepatentare;
Thatthepersonclaimingthepatenthaswronglyobtainedtheinventionortheright
tomaketheapplicationforpatent.
Thattheinventionforwhichpatentclaimedisalreadypublished.
Thatthereisalreadyapriorclaiminthecompletespecificationearlierfiled.
Thattherewaspriorknowledgeoftheclaimmadeinthecompletespecification
fromthedateanteriortothedateofitspriority.
Thattheinventionsuffersfromobviousnessandlacksinventivestep.
Thatthesubjectoftheclaimcannotbetreatedasinventionandisnotpatentable
undertheAct.
Thatthecompletespecificationdoesnotsufficientlyandcleardescribethe
inventionorthemethodbywhichitistobeperformed.
ThattheapplicantforpatentfailedtodiscloseinformationrequiredundertheAct,
orfurnishedinformationwhichinmaterialparticularsisfalsetohisknowledge.
That,theapplicationwhichisaconventionapplicationisfiledbeyondtime.
Thepurposeofoppositionproceedingsistoassurethatthepersonwhoisreally
entitledtothepatentisonlygrantedthepatentandthatarealpatentableinventionis
onlygrantedthepatent.

Grant of Patent

After Controller has rendered his decision and ordered the grant of patent , the
applicanthastomakeanapplicationfortheissueofpatentandforsealingit.Suchan
application can be filed within six months from the date of the decision of the
controllerorwithinsuchextendedtimethecontrollermaygrant.Onreceiptofsuch
request from the applicant, the controller will register the patent in the Register
maintained at the office of the controller of patents and grants the patent with a
number which was originally allotted to it on the date of the acceptance of the
completedspecificationanddatedalsothesamedateonwhichitwasnumbered.The
controllerwillonthedateoftheissueofpatent,sealthepatent.Therefore,thepatent
willbearthenumberanddateonwhichthecompletespecificationisacceptedandthe
sealingdateisthedateonwhichthepatentisregisteredandsealed.

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The Patents Laws in India

Significance of date of patent and date of sealing

Thedateofpatentisrelevantforpurposesofcalculatingthetermofthepatent.The
fourteenyeartermofpatentcommencesfromthedateofpatent.Thisalsoisthedate
relevantforpurposesofcalculatingtheamountofrenewalfeeswhichistraded
upwardsforeachsuccessiveyearandtheduedatesforpaymentofrenewalfees.The
dateofsealingisrelevantforpurposesofcalculatingthefiveyearorsevenyearterm
ofthepatentwhichisthegrantedinrelationtotheprocessesofarticlesoffoodand
drugs.Thedateofsealingisrelevantalsoforpurposesofdeterminingthetimeafter
whichcompulsorylicencesofrightcanbegranted

Obligations of patent holder

Thefirstobligationisthatthepatentholdermustworkthepatent.Heshouldthus,
fulfilltheprimaryobjectofthegrantofpatent.Heshouldactasmodelforfurther
inventions.Thenextobligationistopayrenewalfeesasprescribedinaccordance
withthescaleonduedateseveryyear.Thethirdobligationofthepatentholderisthat
heshouldreporttothecontrollertheprogressoftheworkingofthepatent.
Renewalfeesisnotpayablefortheperiodduringwhichadirectiongivenbythe
controllertokeepthepatentsecretinviewofthesecurityrequirements,remainsin
force.Ifthedirectionisrevokedinanyyearirrespectiveofthetimeatwhichtheorder
ofrevocationwasissued,renewalfeesshallhavetobepaidforthefullyear.Ifinany
yearthepatentholderfailstopaytherenewalfeesintimehemaygetextensionupto
sixmonthsandpaytherenewalfeesaccordingly.Iftherenewalfeesisnotpaideven
aftertheperiodisextended,thepatentceasestohaveeffectfromthedatewhenthe
renewalfeefirstfelldueandnotonthedatewhentheextendedperiodexpires.

Register of patent

ThepatentofficeatCalcuttawillmaintainaRegisterofpatent.Itcontainsallrelevant
particularsaboutthepatentasandwhentheyareregistered.Alltheadditionalentries
relevanttotheregistrationandallchangesandamendmentswillbedulyenteredso
thattheregisterreflectsthepositionuptodate.Thefollowingparticularsarenotedfor
eachofthepatentregistered.
The name, address for service, nationality of the patent holder, the title of the
inventionincludingthecategorytowhichitbelongs,thedateofpatent,andthedate
ofsealing.
All particulars and notifications about the assignments, transmissions, licences,
amendments,extensions,andrevocationsareallrecordedintheregister.
Particularsofthepaymentoffeesandrenewalscanbeseenintheregister.Ifthere
are any changes in the address of the patent holder or holders, the same will be
recordedintheregister.

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TheregisterofpatentismaintainedattheHeadOffice,Calcuttaandthecopyofthe
sameisavailablewithalltheBranchOffices.Theyareavailableforinspectionon
paymentoffees.

Rights of patent Holder

Therightofthepatentholderinhis inventionis calledthemonopolyright.Any


personwhohasaninventionwithhimhasarighttouseit,makearticlesoutofitand
dealwiththosearticles.Thisrightisageneralandnaturalrightcommontoallthose
havingwiththemaninventionorasecretformula.Butwhatapatentholderofthe
invention is vested with is that he only shall be exclusively entitled to use the
invention.Thisexclusiverightiscalledmonopoly.
Accordinglythepatentholderhasalltherightsanownerhasinanyproperty.Hecan
lease,assign,licencethepatentinfavourofotherorotherwiseinanymannerpart
withanyoftheownershiprights.HecangrantaSharetootherinthepatent.Hecan
mortgagethepatent.Patent
holderhasarighttosurrenderthepatent.Theproposaltosurrenderwillbenotifiedin
the Gazette. The controller will permit the surrender only after all objections to
surrenderaredisposedoff.

Types of patents
Thetypesofpatentgrantedbythecontrollerofpatentsare
1)Ordinarypatent
a)productpatentandprocesspatentand
b)patentofadditionforimprovementandmodification
2) combination patent
3) selection patent
4) convention patent and
5) Pipeline patent or sealed box patent
Allotherexceptordinaryarecalledpatentunderspecialcategories.

(a)productpatentandprocesspatent
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The Patents Laws in India

ThepatentlawinIndiamakesdistinctionbetweentheproductpatentandprocess
patent. Where the invention relates to the manufacture of machine, article or
substancewhichisnew,novelandusefulandthepatentaskedforisfortheproduct,
suchpatentiscalledproductpatentwherebyanew,novelandusefulprocessanew
bettercheapermultiactivearticleorsubstanceismadeavailablethepatentaskedfor
isfortheprocess,suchpatentiscalledprocesspatent.
Whileboththeprocessandproductpatentsareavailableinallareasofmanufacture,
process patent only and not product patent are granted in India respect of the
followingsubstances.

(b)patentofaddition
Patentofadditionisgrantedtotheapplicantwhowasgrantedalreadyapatentor
whoseapplicationforpatentispending.Suchpatentmaybeforimprovementoverthe
originalpatentormaybeamodificationoftheinvention.Thepatentofadditioncan
notbesealedunlesstheoriginalpatentissealed.
Thetermofthepatentofadditionissameasthatoftheoriginalpatentanditruns
simultaneouslywiththatoftheoriginalpatentandexpiresattheSametimeasthe
originalpatentexpires.Thereisnoneedtopayseparaterenewalfeesforpatentof
addition.Ifforanyreasontheoriginalpatentisrevoked,thepatentofadditionmaybe
keptaliveifsoorderedbythecontroller.Thepatentofadditionkeptalivetillthe
expiryoftheunexpiredperiodoftherevokedoriginalpatentshallbesubjecttothe
paymentofrenewalfees.

2)Combinationpatent
Itisacceptedasasoundpropositionthatmereplacingsidebysideoftheknown
integersofapatent,eachperformingitsownproperfunctioninspiteofcombination,
isnotapatentablecombination.Whenknownintegersplacedtogetherbyaninventive
stepintoaworkinginterrelationshipproducinganewarticleorabetterorcheaper
article,thenthereisapatentablesubjectmatter.Merecollectionofmorethanone
integernotinvolvinganyinventivestepisnotpatentable.
Evenwherethechangeisveryslightbuttheresultofcombinationissignificantor
significantimprovementthenthereexistsapatentablesubstancetobeconsideredasa
combinationpatent.

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3)SelectionPatent
Whentheselectedmemberschosenoutofpatentedsubstanceandtheyareselected
fortheirspecialcharacteristicandtheinventivestepresultsinanewsubstance,the
patentthatwillbegrantedisselectionpatent.Therearethreecharacteristicswhich
determinewhetherthepatentaskedforisaselectionpatentoracombinationpatent,
theyare:
Selectionfrommembersofthesubstancealreadypatentedmustbebasedonsome
substantialadvantage.Thewhole
ofselectedmembersmustpossestheadvantage.Theselectedmembersmusthave
qualityofspecialcharacterwhichmaybepeculiartotheselectedgroup.
Theinventivestepinselectionpatentconsistsintheexerciseofintellectualfaculty
inchoosingsomeoftheadvantagesofthepatentedsubstancesandbringingouta
substancewhichisnewandhavingspecialadvantage.
Theprinciplesinvolvedincombinationpatentandselectionpatentareapplicableto
mechanicalpatentsalso.
4)Conventionpatent
Withaviewtofulfillthetreatyobligationincurredwiththeconventioncountries,the
GovernmentbyanotificationspecifiesthenamesofcountrieswhichgivetoIndian
citizenthesamefacilitiesinrelationtopatentsastheygivetoothernationalsand
offerstothenationalsofthoseconventioncountriesfacilitiesinrelationtopatents.
SuchnotificationmaycoverthewholefieldoccupiedbytheIndianpatentActorso
muchonlyofitisasiscommensuratewiththefacilitiesgrantedbythoseconvention
countriestotheIndiancitizens.
Theapplicationmadeinaccordancewiththesaidnotificationbyanynationalofa
conventioncountryinIndiaforpatentorforalicenceforanIndianpatenteitherby
himselforinassociationwithIndiancitizens,iscalledconventionapplication.
6)SealedBoxPatent
TheexpressionsealedboxpatentdoesnotoccurintheIndianPatentsAct.Itisa
name popularly adopted to indicate the manner in which the application for the
productpatentformedicinesanddrugsinIndiaistreatedduringtheperiodoften
yearsfromJanuary,1995to2005.Here,theapplicationforpatentisreceivedandis
notsenttotheExaminerofpatentsinthemannerinwhichitwassosentinallother
cases.Itiskeptas thoughinasealedboxwithoutanyfurtheraction.Butinthe
meanwhile,iftheapplicantmakesarequesttogranthim

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The Patents Laws in India

Infringement
Rightsofthepatentholderaretherightsofmonopolyexclusivetohiminthepatent.
Hewhobreachesthemonopoly,issaidtoinfringetherightsofthepatentholder.The
rights ofmonopolygrantedtothepatentholderconsistsinhisexclusiveright,to
make,use,exercise,sellordistributethearticlesmanufacturedinaccordancewiththe
patentormanufacturedinaccordancewiththepatentprocess.Nobodyelsecanuse
patentedinventionorpatentedprocessformanufacturingthearticlesorsubstances.
Apersonwhousesthepatentedinventionorapatentedprocessorthepersonwho
produces the articles and substances, for which there exists a patent, commits
infringement.Apersonorinstitutionwhichusesthepatentedinventionforresearch
purposesdoesnotcommitanyinfringement.InfringementofpatentIsnotacriminal
offence.Theinfringerisnotliabletobeprosecutedinanycriminalcourt.

Relief
Thepatentholdercanssuretheinfringerforpermanentinjunction.Hecanalsoaskfor
exparteinteriminjunctiononthedateoffilingthesuitwhichifgrantedwillbein
forceinitiallyforaperiodofonemonthandthereaftercontinuedorwithdrawnin
accordancewiththeordersthatmaybemadebythecourt.Thepatentholdercanask
fordamagesorforadirectiontorenderanaccountforprofits.Asamatteroffactthe
suitisonlyoneinwhichallthereliefcanbeaskedforincludingdeliveryofand
destructionofinfringedarticles.
Theactdoesnotrequirethatanypreviousnoticeisnecessarybeforeactionistaken
againsttheinfringer.Iftherearecircumstances whichwarranttheissueofnotice
hopefullywithaviewthatthedefendantmaysettlethematteroutofcourt,anotice
maybeissued.Whereinjunctionisanimmediatenecessitythereshouldnotbeany
delayinfillingthesuit.
Thefirstprinciplethecourthasnofollowingrantinginjunctionisthatifthereisa
clearbreachofright,itispermissibleforthecourttoinvokeanyequitablebarto
refuseinjunction.Thepatentholdermustfirstprimafacieestablishthelegaltitleto
thepatent,hisrighttoapplytothecourt,thebalanceofconveniencewherebyhe
should show that the losses he will suffer are immeasurable and cannot be
compensatedandthedamages,lossofbusinessandmarketreputationhewillsuffer
will be irreparable. Unless these essentials are satisfied the court will not issue
injunctionagainsttheinfringer.

17

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