What is FTO? A Freedom to Operate (FTO) search is a patent clearance search or right-to-use analysis, which conducted to assess whether a proposed product, process, or technology may be commercialised without infringing valid third-party patent rights in one or more jurisdictions. An FTO analysis typically focuses on existing patents, pending patent applications, patent claims in target jurisdictions, expired or abandoned patents and licensing obligations Unlike patentability

The Calcutta High Court’s decision in Reckitt Benckiser v. Godrej gives an important reminder: a company cannot use branding law to keep a monopoly over a bottle shape after its design protection has run out. Reckitt Benckiser, known for its widely recognized Harpic toilet cleaner, had earlier secured design protection over its distinctive “duck neck” bottle. This design, functional and visually identifiable, enjoyed exclusivity for a limited statutory period. However, once t

Patent opposition in India is a vital safeguard under the Patents Act, 1970 that ensures only deserving inventions are granted and it is mechanism that allows the public to raise objections against the grant of a patent by filing an opposition with the Patent office. There are 2 types of opposition proceedings in place depending on the stage of grant of the patent: Pre-grant opposition: Where the opponent can challenge a pending application prior to the grant of a patent. Pos

How Applicant can extend protection across Multiple Jurisdictions? When an invention shows commercial promise beyond domestic markets, limiting protection to a single jurisdiction can significantly reduce its value. International patent filing is therefore not just a legal step, but a strategic business decision. For applicants in India, the two principal routes to seek protection abroad are the Convention route under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Pro

In Communication Components Antenna Inc. v. Rosenberger / PROSE , the Delhi High Court did much more than find a telecom patent valid and infringed. It showed how far an Indian court is willing to go when a whole group is pushing a patented technology into the market and it delivered a powerful message on how Indian courts view group-level infringement. At the centre of the dispute was CCA’s patent IN 240893 covers an “asymmetrical beam antenna” that boosts spectrum effici

With expansion of global trade and secondary markets, intellectual property law has been forced to evolve beyond its traditional bounds. While Indian jurisprudence has historically focused on parallel imports and the doctrine of exhaustion in the context of resale of genuine goods, recent developments indicate a shift towards addressing more complex commercial practices, particularly the refurbishment market. The Division Bench (“Bench”) decision in Western Digital Technologi

In recent years, India has significantly streamlined its patent prosecution framework, making it possible for applicants to secure patents in a much shorter time through expedited examination. Under the Patents Act, 1970 and the Patents Rules, 2003 (as amended), the Indian Patent Office provides a fast-track mechanism that can substantially reduce the time from filing to grant, provided certain eligibility criteria are met and the process is strategically managed. Expedited e

In today’s innovation-driven economy, securing patent protection is essential for safeguarding novel inventions and gaining a competitive edge. In India, the patent system is governed by the Patents Act, 1970 and administered by the Indian Patent Office. This SCIP article will provide a step-by-step overview of the patent filing process in India, along with key considerations applicants should keep in mind at each stage. 1. A fundamental requirement for patentability is nov

In the Indian context, patent drafting must strictly comply with the provisions of the Indian Patents Act, 1970 and the corresponding Patent Rules. A well-drafted specification not only ensures grant but also strengthens enforceability and commercial value. Below are the key essentials aligned with Indian patent law: Under the Indian Patents Act, 1970 , effective patent drafting requires a careful balance of technical clarity, legal compliance, and strategic foresight . Here

In today’s innovation-driven economy, a patent is not just a legal document: it is a strategic business asset. However, it’s important to understand the strength of a patent lies not merely in filing it, but in how well it is prepared and drafted in view of novelty. A poorly drafted patent is like building a house on weak foundations: it may stand for a while, but it won’t survive scrutiny. This article is for innovators, researchers and educators to understand the Understa

Recently, the High Court of Delhi, directed the Registrar of Copyrights to remove the copyright registration obtained by Vijay Keshav Wagh (“Respondent”) for the artistic work titled “SHREE SAKSHAT” since it copied the TIGER beer logo owned by Heineken Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (“Petitioner”). It was the Petitioner’s case that the Respondent’s artistic work clearly incorporates the Petitioner’s identical artistic work of its mark TIGER. The Petitioner also claimed that mere ad

Recently, the Bombay High Court vacated an ex-parte ad-interim injunction obtained by Elder Prrojects Limited ("Plaintiff") against Elder Neutraciticals Private Limited ("Defendant") and dismissed the Plaintiff’s application for temporary injunction, after finding gross suppression of material facts. The Plaintiff claimed to have coined and used the ELDER device mark since 1992-93 for pharmaceutical products and obtained registration thereof in June 2024 in Class 5. The Pla

In a significant development in U.S. patent litigation, a federal court has overturned a major damages award in the dispute between Columbia University and Gen Digital. The ruling highlights critical issues surrounding patent validity, damages calculations, and the evidentiary standards required in complex technology cases. Background of the case” The case originated from allegations by Columbia University that Gen Digital infringed certain patents related to advanced technol

This is really important question which is necessary to know that how you can identify whether your invention is new, non-obvious, and capable of industrial application In view of inventors scenario, they assume that a good idea automatically qualifies for a patent. But this is not reality, prior art or patentability search is a crucial preliminary step and performing such a search before filing a patent application can save time, cost, and effort while improving the quality

In the contemporary landscape of innovation and commerce, the protection of intellectual property (IP) has become an indispensable facet of strategic business management. The advent of digital communication technologies has revolutionised the manner in which legal services are delivered, particularly in the domain of intellectual property law. It is within this context that virtual IP legal advice has emerged as a critical resource, enabling businesses, innovators, startups,

At Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys, we are often asked a familiar question: “Won’t AI make patent professionals obsolete?” Our clear view is that AI will significantly change how patent work is done, but it will not replace the professionals who understand technology, law, and business strategy. Research on legal work shows that only a portion of what inventors do can be automated with current technology, and that the most critical parts of our role, such as understanding inve

Continuing our 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, a practical guide for inventors, startups, and researchers to better understand patent protection in India. It’s time to understand the difference between a utility patent and a design patent which is essential for any inventor/researcher seeking to protect an innovation. Choosing the appropriate type of patent determines the scope and strength of legal protection. In many jurisdictions, particularly in t

The Delhi High Court’s Division Bench in Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG v. Controller of Patents has delivered a significant ruling on the architecture of revocation under the Patents Act, 1970, in the context of IN 243301 covering Linagliptin. The decision addresses how Section 64 revocation interacts with Section 107 invalidity defences and with the expiry of the patent itself. The Court framed two central questions. 1. Can a revocation petition under S

Recently, a two-judge bench of the Delhi High Court allowed an appeal filed by Lotus Herbals Private Limited (“Lotus Herbal”) against an order passed by the Ld. Single Judge of the Delhi High Court and granted an interim injunction against DPKA Universal Consumer Ventures Private Limited (“DPKA”) restraining it from using the LOTUS SPLASH and LOTUS marks and/or any other mark nearly identical/deceptively similar to Lotus Herbal’s LOTUS mark. Despite a prima facie finding o