The Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Dr. Raman Singh )
(a): The information is as below:
Year Number of Patent applications filed
Indian Foreign
1997 1901 8243
1998 2112 7710
1999 2168 9168
(b): No yearly target is fixed since patent applications are voluntary and filed by those desirous of seeking patent protection.
(c): Since 1999, a number of awareness programme on patents and other aspects of intellectual property rights, were organised, the details of which are given below:
(i) An Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on `Intellectual Property Policy Issues in the Next Millennium` was organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, in association with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in New Delhi from July 7 to 9, 1999. This Forum was attended by senior officials responsible for intellectual property policies and administration from 20 countries of Asia and the Pacific region to examine various issues concerning policy development in the field of intellectual property. Indian participants representing industry, academia, scientists, researchers, lawyers, non-governmental organisations, etc. also attended.
(ii) Inter-active sessions on patents were organised in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Calcutta, Indore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune and Guwahati during the period from June-August, 1999. These sessions were attended by scientists, academia, economists, representative of industry, chambers of commerce, private/public sector units, journalists, non-governmental organisations, representatives of state government, lawyers and attorneys and other interest groups.
(iii) Awareness programmes on Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) were organised for interest groups in New Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore in October-November, 1999.
(iv) A seminar on `Issues relating to the implementation of Intellectual Property Rights` was organised by the Asian African Legal Consultative Committee, an inter-governmental organisation, in association with Ministry of External Affairs, in New Delhi from November 15-16, 1999. This seminar was attended by different member and non-member countries and representatives of international organisations.
(v) Awareness programme on Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) was organised for interest groups in Mumbai in April, 2000.
(vi) A Forum on `Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy in the 21st Century` was organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation in association with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi from July 5 to 7, 2000. This Forum was attended by senior officials responsible for intellectual property rights policies and administration from 24 countries with a view to review policy perspectives and strategic considerations in the area of intellectual property in the 21st century and emerging global intellectual property issues and to formulate a coordinated response and plan of action for the countries of Asia and the Pacific region. Indian participants representing industry, academia, scientists, researchers, lawyers, non-governmental organisations, etc. also attended.
Government has also supported the awareness related initiatives taken by other departments/organisations/institutions through representation and expert support.
In order to sustain and strengthen the awareness campaign, a budgetary provision has also been kept.
