MODERNISATION OF TRADE MARKS REGISTRY
MAKES RAPID PROGRESS
As part of the major
project for modernisation and upgradation of the intellectual
property framework in India, the Trade Marks Registry in the country
is being modernised at a rapid pace with the basic objective of
eliminating the backlog of pending applications. During the visit
of Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry
and Law & Justice, to the Trade Marks Registry (TMR) in Mumbai
recently, it was indicated that the backlog of unexamined trade
mark applications has been reduced from 5 or 6 years to less than
a year now and will be fully liquidated by September 2003. Further,
by 31st March, 2003, zero pendency will be attained
by the Trade Marks Registry in respect of issuance of the first
examination report. Renewal of Trade Marks Certificates is being
done instantly in clear cases, while online registration of applications
in all the regional offices and the headquarters started from
October 2002.
Action Plan for 2003-04
includes registration of trade marks in clear cases within one
year from receipt of applications as against 5 to 7 years taken
earlier; renewal of registered trade marks within a week of the
receipt of application for renewal as against 2 to 3 years taken
earlier; ensuring no backlog at any stage except that of contested
cases; expediting disposal of contested cases; and completion
of the modernisation of branch offices at Kolkata and Chennai
under the modernisation project initiated in the 9th
Plan. As part of decentralisation of the operations, examination
of applications will begin at branch offices with effect from
April 2003 and renewal of registered trade marks at branch offices
by the end of the first quarter of 2003. Substantial progress
will also be made towards complete automation of Trade Marks Registry
functioning.
Government undertook
modernisation of intellectual property framework in India as a
strategic response to the emerging challenges posed by globalisation
and the increasing relevance and importance of intellectual property
in a knowledge-based development environment. This has included
modernisation of the infrastructure of Patent Offices, Trade Marks
Registry etc., besides legislative changes in the relevant IPR
laws. The TMR administers the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act
(1958) and the Head Office the TMR is at Kolkata.
