GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12-03-2008

APPLICATIONS FOR PATENTS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

1385. DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI:
SHRI RAM JETHMALANI:

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

(a) whether it is a fact that India is one of those countries of the world who submit applications for patent at international level;
(b) if so, the names of those 15 countries who submit maximum applications for patent yearly on average;
(c) whether India is also one of these 15 countries; and
(d) if so, the position of India among these countries?

ANSWER

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

(a) Yes, Sir. Indian companies, research institutions and universities have been filing patent applications in other countries, including applications through the route of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
(b) As per World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) data, the first 15 countries who have filed maximum PCT applications are - United States of America (USA), Japan, Germany, Republic of Korea, France, United Kingdom, China, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Canada, Australia, Finland and Israel.
(c) No, Sir.
(d) Question does not arise.