Maharashtra leads India's patent race

New Delhi: Maharashtra topped the nation with 1,093 patent applications in 2004-05 followed closely by Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

However, India's patent applications at 3,630 contributed around 21 per cent to the total 17,466 applications filed worldwide during 2004-05.

The total number of patent applications filed globally during this period stood at 17,466, representing a 28 per cent growth in filing as against 12,613 applications filed in 2003-2004, an Intellectual Property India Annual Report 2004-05 said.

Following Maharashtra were Delhi at a close 935, Tamil Nadu (397), Andhra Pradesh (254), Karnataka (216), Gujarat (179), West Bengal (131), Kerala (79) and Uttar Pradesh (72).

A strong patent regime is a key driver for foreign investment in India, particularly when other competing countries in South East Asia, including China offer better investment climate.

The revival of the Indian economy and globalisation of markets have thrown open new opportunities in the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) field, which post the TRIPs era of World Trade Organisation (WTO), have been redefined as 'business', the study said.

"As technological innovation is facilitated by healthy IPR protection, the onus is on the policy for correct balance between 'industrial development goals' and 'protection of national interest," the report said.

India joined the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on December 7, 1998, and there has been an increasing trend in the international PCT filings over the years.

During 2004-05, the total filing of international PCT applications were 456 including 351 from companies and 105 from individuals, as compared to 430 in 2003-04, with 328 from companies and 102 from individuals, representing a growth of 6 per cent.

Major contributors for these applications during 2005 were CSIR, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Jubilant Organosys Ltd, Hewlett Packard, Panacea Biotech, Matrix Laboratories, Biocon India Ltd, etc.

In the Exclusive Marketing Rights (EMR) space, upto the end of 2005, altogether 14 EMR applications were filed since the provision came into force in March 1999, including two applications in 2005.

Out of the total, only four EMR have been granted till last year, while four have been refused. Six applications are still pending.

The number of applications for patents received from Indian nationals, foreigners resident in India and from abroad during the period 1995-96 to 2004-2005 are 6,795.

Out of the total number of applications for patents, which originated abroad, the US contributed the largest amount, at 1,169 applications.