New Delhi: The government on Thursday said patent fees for all educational institutions have been reduced by 80 per cent, a move aimed at promoting innovation and development of new technologies.
This benefit was earlier available to all recognised educational institutions owned by the government.
The commerce and industry ministry said these institutions engage in many research activities, where professors/teachers and students generate several new technologies which need to be patented for facilitating commercialization of the same.
High patenting fees presents a restrictive element for getting these technologies patented and thus work as a disincentive for development of new technologies, it added.
“In yet another significant push towards Mission Aatmanirbhar Bharat, benefits related to 80 per cent reduced fee for patent filing and prosecution have been extended to educational institutions as well. The Centre has notified the amendments to the Patents Rules in this regard,” it said.
According to a notification, educational institution means a university established or incorporated by or under central, provincial or state laws and includes any other educational institution as recognised by an authority designated by the central, state or the Union territories.
—PTI

Press Trust of India