India: Patent

The Indian Patent Office (IPO) released a new and highly detailed set of Guidelines for the Examination of Computer Related Inventions (CRIs) on July 29, 2025.

In a landmark judgement, the Delhi High Court directed de novo consideration (by another controller) of a patent application rejected for flawed reasons.

In Patent law a WIPO Standard ST.16 codes (or Kind Codes) are used to show the status and type of a patent document by intellectual property offices.

As India's innovation landscape grows, the efficiency and reliability of its patent system have become more important than ever.

Interim relief is crucial in patent cases, as trials can be lengthy. Without temporary protection, patentees risk losing the value of their patents due to unauthorized use.

As technologies like Artificial Intelligence (‘AI') rapidly evolve, the Indian Patent Office (‘IPO') appears to have recognized the need to modernize its approach to maintain pace.

The Hon'ble Delhi High Court, in its decision dated May 7, 2025, in the case of Crystal Crop Protection Limited vs Safex Chemicals India Limited & Ors [CS(COMM) 196/2024, 2025: DHC:3382], dismissed the application of Crystal Crop for the grant of interim injunction.

A general principle inherent to granting patents is to encourage inventions and promote scientific research. Providing an alternative to cigarettes through scientific intervention, incorporating rapid technological advancements, is a step towards countering the harmful effects of tobacco.

This case is an Appeal filed under Section 117A of the Patents Act, 1970, challenging the impugned order dated 12th April 2024 passed by the Controller of Patents and Designs.