Summary
The Controller General of Patents Designs and Trade Marks introduced InPASS, the Indian Patent Advanced Search System, in February 2015 to enhance online availability of patent information. Building on previous systems like IPAIRS, InPASS offers advanced search capabilities, including full-text search for both granted patents and applications, and supports wild-cards, truncation, and Boolean operators. IPAIRS has now been withdrawn in favour of InPASS. These improvements by the Indian Patent Office demonstrate a commitment to greater transparency and accessibility of patent data for the public. The new system is expected to help stakeholders access reliable information and prevent monopoly pricing for undeserved patents.
The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) launched InPASS, the Indian Patent Advanced Search System, in February 2015, extending public access to patent information through a new full-text search capability.
Background: IPAIRS and Prior Enhancements
The Indian Patent Office (IPO) has progressively expanded online access to patent information over the years. In 2010, the CGPDTM launched IPAIRS, the Indian Patent Information Retrieval System, as the primary online tool for patent searches. The system was subsequently enhanced with new search fields, including Applicant Address and PCT Number in 2012, and a Stock and Flow Based Dynamic Patent Utility was introduced in 2014 to provide access to real-time patent information.
InPASS: Features and Capabilities
Introduced in February 2015, InPASS allows full-text searches to be conducted across both granted patents and pending patent applications. The system supports searches using wildcards, truncation operators, and Boolean operators, enabling more precise and flexible retrieval of relevant patent documents. With the introduction of InPASS, IPAIRS was officially withdrawn.
Significance for Patent Stakeholders
The availability of full-text patent search capability represents a meaningful improvement in access to patent information for inventors, practitioners, researchers, and members of the public. Enhanced search tools assist stakeholders in conducting prior art searches, monitoring the patent landscape, and assessing whether a proposed innovation may already be the subject of existing patent protection. Greater transparency in patent information also supports the broader objective of ensuring that patent grants remain confined to genuinely novel and inventive subject matter.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified attorney before acting on any matter discussed here.