“Mosquito controlling street lights, Spirituality, enlightenment and meditation patents, Wearable Air Conditioner patents, Fire extinguishing cubes, Unique Seminar on patents, Software patents panel discussion, BlackBerry and Timex Patent licensing, Flipkart’s anti theft patents, Michelin design infringement, Apple v. Acacia, Patent timelines, Patent tip of the week and more weekly news updates,” presented by the Patent attorneys and experts of BananaIP Counsels, India’s Premier New Age Patent Firm.
Patent Quote of the Week
“Patents claims are self limiting, circumventions are limitless.” – Gaurav Mishra, Patent Associate, BananaIP Counsels
Indian Patent Statistics
Although there is a slight decrease in the total number of patent applications that have been published this week by the Indian Patent Office, the total number of publications are still noteworthy. A total of 1288 patent applications have been published this week of which 162 applications account for early publications. 1126 applications are ordinary publications or publications occurring after the 18 month period and are 21.59% short of the figures from last week. There has been a decrease of about 33.86% in the total of number of grants this week. Total grants this week therefore equal to 209.
Early Publications
| City | Previous Week | This Week | Percentage of change |
| Delhi | 14 | 0 | 100% decrease |
| Mumbai | 41 | 68 | 65.85% increase |
| Chennai | 33 | 82 | 148.48% increase |
| Kolkata | 21 | 12 | 42.86% decrease |
| Total | 109 | 162 | 48.62% increase |
Ordinary Publications
| City | Previous Week | This Week | Percentage of change |
| Delhi | 364 | 562 | 54.4% increase |
| Mumbai | 423 | 61 | 85.58% decrease |
| Chennai | 310 | 380 | 22.58% increase |
| Kolkata | 339 | 124 | 63.42% decrease |
| Total | 1436 | 1126 | 21.59% decrease |
TOTAL PUBLICATIONS (Previous Week): 1545
TOTAL PUBLICATIONS (This Week): 1288
Percentage difference: 16.63% decrease
PUBLICATIONS UNDER GRANT
| City | Previous Week | This Week | Percentage of change |
| Delhi | 116 | 86 | 25.86% decrease |
| Mumbai | 37 | 19 | 48.65% decrease |
| Chennai | 87 | 55 | 58.18% decrease |
| Kolkata | 76 | 49 | 35.53% decrease |
| Total | 316 | 209 | 33.86% decrease |
Number of Applications published based on applicant city
Of the total 1288 patent applications published this week, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad have contributed 176 applications in total. The total applications for each of the previously mentioned cities are as follows – 68 applications from Chennai, 36 applications from Bangalore, 32 applications from Mumbai, 18 applications from Delhi, 17 applications from Hyderabad and 5 applications from Kolkata.
| List of Cities | 1st January 2017 – till date | 9th September 2017 to 15th September 2017 |
| Mumbai | 954 | 32 |
| Bangalore | 879 | 36 |
| Delhi | 609 | 18 |
| Chennai | 546 | 68 |
| Hyderabad | 302 | 17 |
| Kolkata | 105 | 5 |
Total number of applications published by the Indian Patent Office from the 1st of January 2017 till 15th September 2017:21600
- Early publications: 2053
- Ordinary Publications: 19547
Total number of patents granted by the Indian Patent Office from the 1st of January 2017 till 15th September 2017: 8632
- Delhi – 3703
- Mumbai – 897
- Kolkata – 1673
- Chennai – 2359
Indian Industrial Designs Statistics
The designs office at Kolkata has registered a total of 200 designs this week. There is a marginal decrease in the total number of designs registered this week. The total designs registered from the 1st of January 2017 till date now adds to 6640 applications.
Total designs registered in the previous Week: 204
Total designs registered this Week: 200
Percentage Difference: 1.96% decrease
Total designs registered from the 1st of January 2017 till date: 6640
Interesting Patents and Designs
Mosquito control patents, Wearable Air Conditioners and Fire extinguishing cubes.
Several interesting patents and industrial designs have been published in the Official Journal of patents and designs dated September 15th, 2017. From fire extinguishing cubes, mosquito controller street lights to wearable AC’s, this week’s Journal is undoubtedly replete with some seriously amazing inventions!
Patent Application 1: Have the Mosquitoes finally met their match?
Title: MOSQUITO CONTROLLER STREET LIGHT
Application No. 201641041029
Applicants: BHARATH UNIVERSITY
Abstract: “A street light installation that can be adapted to control mosquitoes is disclosed here. The street light fixture has a provision for release of carbon dioxide which attract the mosquitoes towards it. The mosquitoes are then killed by means of the electric shock and the killed mosquitoes are removed by means of vacuuming.” (Abstract has been taken from the patent application as is and has not been corrected.)
Patent Application 2: Forget patentability! This spiritual patent is food for thought!
Title: DESIGN OF SWASTHI SOOTHRA PRADHAKSHINA DHYANA MANDAPAM
Application No.: 201741030996
Applicants: K. ARUNA
Abstract: “Dhyana Mandapam or meditation halls are built based on various architectural designs such as dome shape, hemisphere shape and tapered tower. The architectural design of the dhyana mandapam itself represents the way to enlightenment. Each design has its unique characteristics. We have designed unique design called Swasthi Soothra Pradhakshina Dhyana Mandapam. In the proposed design, the dhyana mandapam (Meditation hall) is constructed in Swasthik shape. The swastika is an equilateral cross with four arms bent at right angles. The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika – su meaning good, asti meaning to be, and ka as a suffix. The swastika literally means to be good. In the design, the devotees enter through the papa dhuwara and procession around the Swasthik shape and reach the dhyana mandapam. After performing the pooja, meditation or chanting the devotees exit through the puniya dhuwara. The devotees get the piece of mind due to the architectural design of the Swasthi Soothra Pradhakshina Dhyana Mandapam. At the centre of the Swasthik shape the dhyana mandapam is designed. The Dhyana mandapam is in the octagonal shape. The Dhyana mandapam is located at the centre of the Swasthik design. A Gopuram is constructed with a massive stone base and a superstructure of brick and pilaster. It has richly decorated with 2 tiers of towers. Above the tapered gopuram (tower), the kalasam is placed at the top of the tower. The architectural design of Swasthik shape ensures the fresh air circulation and keeps the temperature under control. The science behind the Swasthik design is that, the design gives cosmic energy to the Dhyana Mandapam. Firstly, the tower acts like an antenna and receives the cosmic energy from the space and energized by the Swasthik design.” (Abstract has been taken from the patent application as is and has not been corrected.)
Patent Application 3:
Title: Wearable Air conditioning Cloth
Application No.: 201741027714
Applicants: BHARATH UNIVERSITY
Abstract: “Wearable Air conditioning Cloth A novel wearable air conditioning clothing is disclosed. The invention relates to a thermo circuit system powered by a battery. This thermo circuit is inbuilt in to the garment worn by a person. By means of the current passing through the circuit, a reduction in temperature is achieved.” (Abstract has been taken from the patent application as is and has not been corrected.)
Industrial Designs: The cube of the future indeed!
Modi International, a Delhi based company has been granted a design registration over an article called FIRE EXTINGUISHING CUBE. The cube has been allotted design number 287675 and has been registered under class 29-01 relating to DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT AGAINST FIRE HAZARDS. We aren’t entirely sure on how the product works as the image of the article is merely that of a cube, but we imagine the cube is made of dry powder normally used in fire extinguishers.
Patent Seminars, Conferences, Conclaves
Unique seminar on patents to be held on September 22, 2017 at Bangalore
BananaIP (BIP) Counsels unique seminar on patents for corporate inventors will be held this week on the 22nd September, 2017, at Bangalore, India. As always, we will post the happenings of the seminar here on Intellepedia. Do keep a watch.
About the Seminar: Unlike the traditional patent seminars, the program intends to do away with lectures and talks and instead focus on participative teaching and learning methods such as story weaving, role plays, narratives and simple problem solving techniques.
Panel discussion on ‘Protecting software’s through Patents’ by GNLU
Livelaw.in has reported that Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) Centre for IPR, in collaboration with GNLU-Microsoft chair on IPR and policy research, is organising a panel discussion on ‘Protecting software’s through Patents: Current Challenges and Future Solutions’ on 7th October, 2017 at Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Details of who can apply, about the event, fees and registration deadlines can be found here.
Government news and updates
Focus on IPR, patents – Amit Shah urges Indian firms
BJP president Amit Shah at a recent event organized by the FICCI urged Indian companies and business organizations to focus on obtaining patents and creating their own Intellectual Property Rights in order to ensure that the wealth created by these organizations remain within the country.
Shah was quoted as saying “organisations such as FICCI should focus on research in various sectors such as pharma, solar chips, defence equipment, aviation equipment and electronic hardware.” Also, citing the efforts made by the government to boost these areas, he suggested that rather than making isolated efforts in R&D, Indian companies should join hands and form consortium in high technology areas to optimize resources and efforts.
Patent Licensing and Commercialization
BlackBerry and Timex sign patent licensing agreement
Canadian mobile major BlackBerry and American watch manufacturer Timex have entered into a patent license agreement which has raised hopes of BlackBerry smartwatches rolling out in the market in coming times.
Although the terms of the agreement have not been revealed, a press release has indicated that the financial structure within the deal is likely to include ongoing royalty payments from Timex to BlackBerry. Though BlackBerry no longer works in the smartphone market, a new BlackBerry brand smartphone is set to be unveiled next month.
Flipkart introduces patent pending ‘anti-theft’ packaging into market.
While, E-commerce major Flipkart awaits a patent grant for its ‘anti-theft’ packaging invention, Flipkart announced that it will begin rolling out the pilferage protection box which has been designed specifically for high-net products like mobiles, tablets, and watches. Flipkart has stated that the packaging will take substantial amount of time, resources, information, and techniques to re-open and re-seal to ensure original form of shipment. This would ensure that in case a package has been tampered with, the next supply chain person or customer can easily detect the same and not accept the package.
Patent disputes, infringement and settlements
Michelin settles design patent infringement suit
Tire manufacturer – Michelin has settled its design patent infringement lawsuit against a Nashville based tire repair company called Tire Recappers for an undisclosed amount on the 11th of September, last week.
The undisclosed settlement was signed by US District Judge Jon McCalla at the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Michelin in its suit had claimed that the “Cross Grip” and the “All Position Highway” tires sold by Tire Recappers were infringing two of Michelin’s US design patents numbered D530,266 and D639,235 relating to tread designs which enables better grip in different terrains.
Apple and Acacia subsidiary agree to settle 22 million dollar patent dispute
Cellular Communications Equipment (CCE), a subsidiary of patent licensing company Acacia has finally arrived at a settlement with Apple, in a whopping 22 million dollar patent infringement lawsuit. In September last year, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ordered Apple to pay 22.1 million dollars in damages to CCE after it found Apple in “willful infringement of US patent number 8,055,820”, originally registered by Nokia Siemens Networks.
In April 2017, CCE filed another suit against Apple, AT&T and Verizon at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of key patented technologies used in mobile phones and tablets including the ability to make emergency calls when the phone is locked.
BananaIP Patent Updates
BananaIP’s Unique Seminar on Patents for Corporate Inventors is finally here!
BananaIP (BIP) Counsels’ unique seminar on patents for corporate inventors will be held this week on September 22, 2017 at ITC Gardenia in Bangalore. The seminar titled “The Strategic Inventor,” is a first of its kind program that will help companies generate business and competitive value driven Patents from their inventors. The program is aimed at helping corporate inventors create patentable and risk free inventions that address a company’s business goals, and further its competitive value in the marketplace.
BananaIP’s Patent Tip of the Week
Is keeping track of patent timelines crucial?
It is as important for businesses to keep track of the patent timelines as it is for any organization including the IP firm handling your patent files. Missing patent timelines can be fatal to a patent application and the damage caused due to missing a critical deadline may in several cases be irreversible. It is therefore advisable that you keep a constant and regular check on your files and remain well informed of any upcoming deadlines related to your patent application.
Author: BIP’s Patent Attorneys
Led by Senior Partners, Somashekar Ramakrishna, Nitin Nair and Vinita Radhakrishnan, BIP’s Patent Attorneys are among the leading patent practitioners in the country. They work with clients such as Mahindra and Mahindra, Samsung, HCL, Eureka Forbes, and Titan. They specialize in IT/Software, Electronics/Telecom, Mechanical, Automotive, and Bio/Pharma domains, and help clients with patent filing, prosecution, management and strategy in India, and across the world.
The weekly patent news initiative is a part of their pro bono work, and is aimed at spreading patent awareness. You are free to share the news with appropriate attribution and backlink to the source.
If you have any questions, you may write to BIP’s Patent Attorneys – [email protected].
