India and EPO in new patent partnership

The European Patent Office (EPO) has agreed a new deal with the Intellectual Property Office of India (IPO) designed to support innovation in both regions.

The partnership is aimed at developing the patent system’s delivery and efficiency, including through patent examination, administration and information.

Both the EPO and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to bilateral co-operation for at least the next four years.

According to the EPO, out of the more than 1,000 international patent applications filed by Indian residents in 2013, more than half were received by the EPO.

Applications filed by Europeans at the Indian IPO make up roughly one third of foreign filings. Five of the top 10 foreign resident applicants at the IPO are European companies.

EPO President Benoît Battistelli said the agreement was an “important step forward” in its relations with India, which is becoming a major player in global innovation.

“Through this agreement Europe and India are reinforcing their efforts to create new opportunities for innovating businesses that will be able to benefit from improved conditions for the protection of IP in India,” he said.

The EPO has also finalised an agreement with the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which represents more than 20 million European businesses, to support technology transfer between both regions.

The programme is being implemented through the European Business and Technology Centre—an EU co-funded initiative—which provides a platform for Indo-European co-operation on clean energy technologies and advises European enterprises on IP issues.