INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Government has cut down patent fees for educational institutions significantlyIn a significant move, the government has reduced the fees for
filing patents by 80 per cent for educational institutions
The new fee structure has come into effect from September 21, 2021
The decision is aimed at encouraging a conducive environment for innovation in academic circles and institutions across the country,
official sources said.The Patents (Amendment) Rules 2021 have been notified for this purpose, a statement issued by the Commerce Ministry
said.While applying for patents, innovators have to do so in the name of the institution they represent and these institutions have to pay
the patent fees for a large number of applicants, which burdens them financially.Therefore in order to incentivise institutions into
applying for patents in greater numbers, the decision to reduce the patent fees significantly has been taken, sources said further.The
government is keen to promote greater collaboration between industry and academia, which it says, can be done by facilitating
commercialisation of research conducted by institutions.The various new technologies which are developed by innovators in educational
institutions across the country need to be patented and since there are often multiple applications for patents from several educational
bodies, the fees which is entailed for this purpose runs into a huge amount.High patenting fees were acting as a restriction for academia in
developing newer technologies, and with the government keen on promoting innovators and startups through its various schemes like Startup
India, the decision to reduce patent fees was taken, sources said.
