New Delhi, May 10 (KNN) The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotions (DIPP) is aiming to reduce the time taken to issue the First Examination Report (FER) from 5-7 years to less than 2 years, Deputy Controller of Patents & Designs A T Patre told KNN.

At present, it takes around 3-5 years to receive FER for a patent application and around 13 months for trademark applications.

The department is working to bring down the time for patent applications to less than 2 years, while for trademark applications it is trying to bring it down to 13 months.

Talking to KNN, Patre said, “We are working on this. We are trying to bring down the timeframe to get an FER.”

“It also depends on how much Request for Examination (RQs) are pending. Also, disciplining is very important. We have to see where the pendency is. We have already recruited 463 examiners out of which 100 are on contract basis. We are expecting the time frame to come down.”

Dr. P.D. Kaushik – an eminent IP law expert and ex-Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary Studies and Professor, IITM said, “It usually takes 12 months’ time in the process. FER report comes by 3 years. Only when someone opposes the patent filed, then it takes more time for examination.” (KNN Bureau)