Who is a Patent Agent? How can you become a Patent Agent?

In India, prosecution of a patent before the Controller of Patents can only be done through a registered patent agent. A patent agent is a person registered under the Patent Act to act as an agent to draft and file a patent application. To become a patent agent, the person must apply to the Controller of Patents in Form 22 and pass the Patent Agent exam. Chapter XXI of the Patents Act, 1970, read with Chapter XV of the Patents Rules, 2003, governs the provisions relating to patent agents in India. This article, in brief, describes who is a patent agent and the process by which a person can become a patent agent under the Patent Act.

Who is a Patent Agent?

Section 2 (n) of the Act defines a patent agent as a person registered for the time being as a patent agent under the Act. In simple words, a patent agent means a person who is responsible for prosecuting (i.e., drafting and filing of a patent application) a patent before the Controller of Patents. 

Who can become a Patent Agent?

Any person who meets the following qualifications as mentioned in Section 126 of the Act, can become a patent agent, namely: 

1. Should be a citizen of India;
2. Should not be less than 21 years of age;
3. Should have a bachelors’ degree in science, engineering, or technology from an Indian University; and 
4. Should have passed the patent agent examination or held a position as an examiner for patents or has been a Controller of Patent for not less than 10 years. 

One must note that before the Patent Amendment Act, 2005, in addition to a degree mentioned in point (iii), a degree in law was required to qualify as a patent agent.

Role of a Patent Agent

The role of a patent agent is enumerated in Sections 127 and 129 of the Act. It further inter alia states that a patent agent has (i) the right to practice before the Controller of Patents; and (ii) to prepare all documents including but not limited to specifications, proceedings and to do all such acts, as the Controller may require. 

Procedure for registration as a Patent Agent

Rules 109, 110, and 111 lay down the process for registering a patent agent under the Act. The Rules inter alia provide for the following:

Application to the Controller for Examination:

Any person interested in appearing for the qualifying patent agent exam (conducted once each year) shall request that the Controller state his intention to appear in such an exam. Such request shall be made to the Controller vide a letter addressed to the nearest Patent Office upon the prescribed fees, i.e., Rs. 3200 (if online) or Rs. 3500 (if offline). 

Particulars of the Examination:

The examination shall inter alia include two written exams (100 marks each) and a viva voce (50 marks). To qualify as a patent agent, the candidate must score a minimum of 50 marks on each paper and an aggregate of 150 marks or more. To apply for the exam, the candidate must meet all the requirements stated in Section 126 of the Act. 

Registration:

Upon clearing the exam conducted by the Controller of Patents, the person shall make an application to the Controller of Patents in Form 22 and submit other documents required by the Controller and the payment receipt of the fees paid as per Rule 111 of the Patents Act. Upon verification of the documents submitted, the Controller shall enter the details of the candidate in the register of patent agents and shall issue a certificate of registration to such candidate. 
Upon receiving the registration certificate, a person can act as a patent agent under the Act and prosecute patents before the Controller. One must note that the Act prescribes a penalty in the case of persons not being patent agents performing the duties of a patent agent as mentioned under the Act.