Dental Patents in India

Abstract

Background: The advent of technology in dentistry compels the safeguard of intellectual property to guarantee a steady flow of ideas. A guarantee preserves the idea/invention which is conductive to the subsequent financial gain or marketing of the said product for the patentee. The main objective of the present study was to illuminate the trends in the dental patents filed in India over the past decade and to analyze these in context with the recent developments in dental markets. Methodology: A total of 641 dental patent applications retrieved from the Indian Government Official Website between 2010 and 2020 were scanned for field of invention, type or status of application along with details regarding date of publication or filing of application, etc., The dataset was collaboratively analyzed using Panda's Library in Python software as analysis tool for data preparation and frequency analysis. The estimates were presented as mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The results showed that Indian Patent Office (IPO) has granted 54 dental patents in the last decade. The maximum applications of the IPO processes are the patent co-operation treaty National Phase applications (53.3%), mostly in the bio-engineering field (36.8%). Chiefly, patents were filed by individuals and companies (n = 180) and average time for grant was 4.90 years and 5.34 years, respectively. Conclusion: The process of patent application in India although has become digitalized needs to be more comprehensible and time bound, with more awareness disseminated to entrepreneurs and dental students alike.

India\'s Intellectual Property Ecosystem: Is the Scenario Favorable?

“…2,3 India still requires solutions to address certain issues with its patenting process. 2,[4][5][6] • To begin with, as of 2022, the average time for a patent to be processed in India was 4.3 years, notably longer than the 2 years in the United States and 1.4 years in China. • The primary cause of delays stems from an inadequate workforce within the patent office.…”

“…influence of pharmaceuticals in dentistry can be attributed to the reinforcement of patent laws, primarily linked to the "Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)," which has notably benefited pharmaceutical companies in India, thereby making them significant players in the current global economy. 6 Raising awareness about the process of applying for and obtaining patents is a key strategy to stimulate more participation by dentists in the innovation pool. Educational initiatives like continuing dental education programs can play a significant role in achieving this goal.…”

“…Educational initiatives like continuing dental education programs can play a significant role in achieving this goal. 6 Intellectual property rights play a crucial role in bolstering a country's economic growth by stimulating innovation and research, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), nurturing entrepreneurship and start-ups, facilitating technology transfer, cultivating a knowledge-based economy, enhancing export competitiveness, safeguarding traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, amplifying the value of intangible assets, generating employment and economic impact, adhering to global standards, and promoting green technologies. 4 In conclusion, the notable increase in Indian patent filings is a significant milestone, showcasing the country's dedication to innovation and safeguarding intellectual property.…”