Patent Law - Salient Features

•Both product and process patent provided

•Term of patent – 20 years

•Examination on request

•Both pre-grant and post-grant opposition

•Fast track mechanism for disposal of appeals

•Provision for protection of bio-diversity and traditional knowledge

•Publication of applications after 18 months with facility for early publication

•Substantially reduced time-lines

•Compulsory license to ensure availability of drugs at reasonable prices

•Provision to deal with public health emergency

•Revocation of patent in public interest and also on security considerations