GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4233
TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.05.07

FILING OF PATENTS

4233. SHRIMATI MAYA SINGH:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government are aware of the fact that many scientists in the country undertake research work by means of continuous hard work and in the absence of getting the same patented, their efforts simply go waste;
(b) what measures are being adopted by the Government to get the research work patented in view of awareness towards the right to intellectual property; and
(c) the number of patents got registered in the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) & (b): The Government has taken many steps to ensure that patentable inventions of Indian scientists engaged in research and development are protected. In addition to creating awareness about patents among scientists, the Government has set up specialized cells/centres in its different departments and agencies which provide technical, financial and legal help to scientists for protecting their inventive work in India and other countries. Intellectual Property Rights, so generated, are also maintained by these cells/centres. For example, Patent Facilitating Centre under the Department of Science and Technology extends this help to all educational institutions in the country. Institutions engaged in R&D projects funded by Ministry of Science and Technology are permitted to own patents generated and also retain the benefits and earnings arising out of the patents. The concerned inventors and other persons can get up to one-third of the actual earnings.

It may be noted that many scientists publish their work and get recognition nationally and internationally.

(c) As per the Annual Report of the Indian Patent Office for the year 2004-2005, many patent applications were filed in India.

Filed by Indians	2002-2003	2003-2004	2004-2005
	2693	3216	3630
Total applications filed	11466	12613	17466