INDIA
October 17, 2016
The Indian Government's Patent (Amendments) Rules 2016 came into effect on May 16th, 2016. The purpose of these amendments is to speed up the patent prosecution before the Indian Patent Office.
The most significant rules for patent prosecution are the following: (i) shortened timelines for putting an application in order for grant, (ii) allowance of claim deletion at national phase entry, (iii) accelerated examination, refund of examination fees and ceasing of costs for sequence listings, (iv) reference to deposition of biological material, (v) deadline for filing the power of attorney document, (vi) speeded issuance of foreign filing licenses and (vii) stimulation of start-ups.