Trademark & IP
Trade marks, patents, copyright and designs.
4stories · New facility
September 2026
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GI applications can be filed and tracked online from 15 September 2026; IP India issues draft step-by-step filing guidelines
GI e-filing from 15 SeptNew facilityThe Office of the CGPDTM has issued Draft Guidelines for Filing a Geographical Indication (GI) Application, Version 1.0, September 2026. A new GI e-filing service, with online tracking, is available from 15 September 2026. Forms GI-1A to GI-1D are used and the fee is ₹1,000 for each class of goods.
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Design applications: First Examination Reports to be sent only by e-mail from 2 October 2026; postal dispatch ordinarily stops
Design FER: e-mail onlyNew facilityThe Office of the CGPDTM has notified that, from 2 October 2026, First Examination Reports in design applications will ordinarily be communicated only to the e-mail address given in Form-1 under “Address for Service in India”. Physical dispatch by post is ordinarily discontinued from that date.
August 2026
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Trade Marks Registry holds Friday hearings till December 2026 to close oppositions that are settled or to be withdrawn
Opposition drive: FridaysNew facilityThe Trade Marks Registry has begun a Special Disposal Drive for opposition proceedings where parties want to withdraw the application or opposition or have settled. Hearings are on every working Friday from 4 September till December 2026, in hybrid mode, taken up by the filing year of the trade mark application.
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Patent Office frames guidelines on AI in patent examination: AI may assist, the Examiner or Controller stays fully responsible
AI assists, officer decidesNew facilityThe Office of the CGPDTM has published Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Patent Examination Procedures. They list 12 typical uses with risks and safeguards, six prohibited uses — including feeding unpublished applications into public AI tools — and provide for an AI Governance Committee.
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