after the Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999 was passed by Parliament in the budget session, the Government of India on June 2, 1999 through a gazette notification, raised the patenting fee. The patenting fee has been raised in different categories which vary from Rs 5,000 to Rs 75,000.
Experts feel that patents have come to play a crucial role in the global market, the move will allow India to compete on equal terms.According to B K Kelaya, convenor, national working group on Patent laws: "It is a useful step and we should concentrate more in strengthening the patent's office."
When asked about the implications of the bill for the smaller companies, Kelaya said, "If the product is genuine, the smaller company can file the patent and can earn huge profits."
It may be recalled that the legislation passed in the budget session provides the creation of a mailbox facility for product patents during the transitional period, till the new patents regime comes into effect.
It also gives exclusive marketing rights ( emr ) to foreign manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.
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