IP lawyer Shamnad Basheer has launched an online petition to push for the creation of a modern patent database and for the publication of Patent Office decisions.
Basheer, who runs the blog SpicyIP, started the petition in November after becoming frustrated with the lack of a good Indian patent database. The petition is addressed to the Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh.
“With the 2005 amendments, the Indian patent regime has come a long way. Indeed, India is turning out to be a trendsetter of sorts,” Basheer told India Business Law Journal. “Sadly however, the current state of affairs at the Indian Patent Office leaves much to be desired,” he continued, highlighting the urgent need to create a comprehensive patent database and to publish Patent Office decisions online.
“Despite India’s IT prowess, we do not have a fully fledged electronic patent database as yet. Such a resource is of tremendous value to all patent stakeholders.”
“It is lamentable that Patent Office decisions are never published. Greater public scrutiny of patent office decisions is likely to spur more transparency and accountability,” added Basheer.
