Comprehensive Online Filing Services for Patents inaugurated

The Comprehensive online Patent filing services of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks was inaugurated here today by Shri Saurabh Chandra IAS, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The function held at Boudhik Sampada Bhawan, was attended by senior officers of the Department, officials of the Patent office, officials of National Informatics Centre and Patent Attorneys.

The Patent Office first launched the e-filing services for Patents in the year 2007 which enabled online filing of new applications for Patents. The service is successfully being used by the stakeholders. Appreciating the significance of being more transparent and user friendly in building confidence among stake holders, IPO has now further developed the system so as to cover comprehensive e-filing for Patents, wherein, in addition to online filing of New Applications, subsequent filings have also been integrated. The newly launched services up grades the existing e-filing system to include the facility to file all the prescribed Forms along with prescribed fees for registration of Patents. The web based system allows dual way login through userid or through digital signature. It has also simplified the e-filing process and eliminates transaction errors. The users can own and manage personal folders in the Patent Office environment. The user needs a Class III Digital Signature and an internet banking account for e-filing. Currently the payment gateway of State Bank of India and Axis Bank have been integrated in the system. It is proposed to add more payment gateways in future.

Ever since the Indian Patent Office started the e-filing facility in the year 2007 which enables first time filing for Patents, there has been remarkable increase in the share of applications filed online. During the current year nearly one third of the total applications received till the end of November, has been filed online.This launch which is part of the efforts done by the office to move towards a complete paperless virtual office is expected to further enhance the confidence of all stakeholders and to multiply the number of patent applications e-filed in the office.