[Ip-health] India approves Patent Bill

[Ram]

>India Infoline

Lok Sabha approves Patent Bill


The Patent (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday has got approval of the Lok
Sabha, with a view to bring about changes into the patent law to stop
the copying of patented drugs, agricultural chemicals and food
products, notwithstanding the apprehensions of the opposition about
the possible price rises of life-saving medicines.

The legislation sought to replace an ordinance, which was issued in
December. The new law defines the scope of  patents. Patents will be
granted only to new inventions and will not be extended to use of a
known product in a new way. The new law will recognize patents on the
products and not just the processes in making them.

The Act allows companies to file their oppositions to patents before
and well after the grant of the same. It can be opposed within six
months after the publication of the application of the patent.