In an unexpected development, the Trademarks Office has decided to increase the official fees for new application/s and fee for expedited examination request with effect from August 1, 2014. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (“CG”) has issued a notice requesting the Applicants/Attorneys/Proprietors to pay the balance fees before September 30, 2014.The increase in official filing fee per class is INR 500 (approx US$ 9) taking the official fees for one mark in one class to INR 4000 (approx US $ 67) whereas the increase in the official fee for expedited examination has been increased from INR 17,500 (approx Us $ 292) to INR 20,000 (approx US $ US $ 334)

Interestingly, CG in his order has further indicated that Registrar shall not act on application until additional fee is paid. CG also stated that receipt of deficit fees after September 30 shall result in filing date to be taken as the date on which balance fees will be tendered.

We do hope the increase in revenue will be utilised to take steps in reducing the backlog at the Trademarks Office by investing both in additional manpower and infrastructure.