A detailed overview of the patent system

Abstract

The roots of today’s solid patent system are from the ancient trade system, the introduction, and the evolvement of different intellectual properties. Various international legislations, collaborations, and treaties, as well as the introduction of various acts, rules, and amendments, are responsible for the management and growth of the recent patent system. Novelty, utility, and non-obviousness are the basic patentability criteria. The Indian patent act also defines things that are not inventions under section 3 of the Indian patent act as “statutory subject matter”. The patent system working is described under patent prosecution (filing, publication, examination, opposition) sequentially. “Patent co-operation treaty” (PCT) introduced by the “World intellectual property organization” provides a most effective and economical way of patent application in multiple countries through a single filed application. A general overview of a patent application, drafting of claims, patent analysis, invalidation of patents, Infringement of patents, non-infringing activities, prosecution history estoppel, and remedies under the jurisdiction, are also described hereunder. At present, the number of patent applications filed in India is continuously increasing. Indian patent office is becoming one of the designated search authorities under the PCT. General awareness about patents and intellectual property in all sectors can be improved further.