A Patent is an intellectual property right relating to inventions. It is the grant of exclusive right, for a limited period provided by the Government to the patentee. Such right is obtained in exchange of full disclosure of his invention, for excluding others from making, using, selling or importing the patented product. The purpose of this system is to encourage inventions by promoting their protection and utilisation so as to contribute to the development of industries and thereby contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and dissemination of technology.
A Patent ensures property rights or legal title for the invention for which it has been granted. Patent right is territorial in nature and a patent obtained in one country is not enforceable in some other country.
The Patent System in India is governed by the Patents Act, 1970 as amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005 and the Patents Rules, 2003, as amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules 2006 with effect from May 2006
The Patent Office, under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, performs the duties in connection with the grant of patents foe new inventions and registration of industrial designs. Patent Offices are located in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi to deal with the applications for patents made from within their territorial jurisdictions.
