Patent registration in Sri Lanka protects inventions of the inventor, thereby promoting innovation and economic development. A patent gives exclusive right to the patent holder for making, using or selling the invention for a period of 20 years from the date of application. Already published patent applications are a great source of information for researchers, inventors who want to create more inventions and technologies.
What is patentable?
An invention can be patented, if it is new, industrially applicable and involves an inventive step. Inventions necessary to protect public order, health, morality or environmental problems cannot be patented.
How to register a patent in Sri Lanka?
A patent registration application in Sri Lanka should be filed at the National Intellectual Property Office on Form P1. The applicant should also submit a document describing the invention clearly, along with claimed and prescribed fees. Thereafter, a search report is prepared by the International Search Authority (ISA) or a request is made to the Sri Lankan IP Office to refer the application to a local examiner. The following are steps to register a patent in Sri Lanka: The IP Office examines the application as per the requirements of the IP Act. If all requirements are met and the application is filled with correct details, the application goes for examination to ascertain novelty of the invention. If application meets the patentability criteria, the application is published in the official gazette. The publication is made in the official gazette to invite opposition. If no opposition is filed or if the applicant wins the opposition case, then the patent is granted.
Patent Renewal
A patent is valid for a period of 20 years from the date of filing the application. The patent must be renewed every year after the expiration of the second year from the date of grant of patent by paying the requisite fees.
