Indian Patent Office Categorized Examiners and Controllers into Technology Groups

Following earlier circular dated April 29, 2009, the Controller General of Patents P.H. Kurian in its latest circular dated May 13, 2009 has categorized Examiners and Controllers in all four patent offices into Technology Groups. The move is to uniform allotment of patent applications for examination at the Patent Offices as per field of expertise to the controllers/examiners and to further improve quality of patent examination. Each group is having a Group Leader. On the first Monday of every month, the Group Leader is likely to receive required number of files from the Record Section based on the serial order of the Request of Examination pending under the Group Subject. Files will be allotted to the group members after group discussion. Group 1 is for Chemistry and Allied Subjects covering chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and food. Group 2 is for Biotechnology, Microbiology and Allied Subjects. Group 3 is for Electrical, Electronics and Related Subjects covering electrical, electronics, computer, communication and biomedical engineering and physics. Group 4 is for Mechanical Engineering and Other Subjects covering mechanical, civil, textile engineering and other subjects not specified in other groups. As a patent pracititioner, this move is highly appreciable as this will not only able to improve quality of examination but also help patent agents to effectively prosecute patent applications and put across their technical opinions.