India cuts number of trade mark forms from 74 to just eight, reduces e-filing fees

New Delhi: The Indian government on Monday cut the number of trade mark forms from 74 to just eight, and nearly halved the fee for e-filing applications to Rs 4,500 in order boost the country's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime and to promote ease of doing business.[caption id="attachment_2643418" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational photo. Photo Courtesy: Milan Yakimov (Free Images)[/caption]Announcing the notification of these changes in the Trade Mark (TM) Rules, 2017, a Commerce Ministry statement here said the salient features of the revamped rules include "number of Trade Mark (TM) forms have been reduced from 74 to 8 and to promote e-filing of TM applications, the fee for online filing has been kept at 10 percent lower than that for physical filing"."Based on stakeholders' feedback, the fees for individuals, start-ups and small enterprises have been reduced from that proposed in the draft rules -- only Rs 4,500 as against Rs 8,000 for e-filing of TM applications proposed at the draft stage."Hearing through video conferencing has been introduced, and number of adjournments in opposition proceedings has been restricted to a maximum of two by each party to help expedite disposal of cases, it said.Modalities for service of documents from applicants to the registry and vice-versa through electronic means have been introduced to expedite the process, the statement added.