Patent Office Releases Revised
Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (CRIs), 2025
·
New Guidelines incorporate provisions for
AI, ML, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, and other emerging technologies
·
A major step towards transparency, uniformity,
and innovation in India’s patent ecosystem
Revised
Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (CRIs), 2025
The Office of the
Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has released
the Revised CRI Guidelines
2025, aimed at enhancing clarity and aligning India’s patent
examination process with global
standards, especially for emerging technologies.
·
Focus
Areas: AI,
ML, DL, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, and Quantum Computing.
·
New
Inclusions:
o A detailed chapter on CRI jurisprudence.
o A step-wise
assessment framework for determining patentability under Section 3(k) of the
Patents Act.
o Flowcharts to assist IPO officials and stakeholders
in the examination process.
o Dedicated chapter on AI, ML, DL, Blockchain, and Quantum
Computing, with practical examples and sufficiency of disclosure criteria.
o Annexure with 40 new examples, in addition to 20 main-body examples,
illustrating both allowable
and non-allowable claims under Section 3(k).
·
Draft
Version 1.0 released on 25
March 2025, followed by nationwide stakeholder consultations.
·
Draft
Version 2.0 published on 26
June 2025 for additional feedback.
·
Final
guidelines incorporate stakeholder inputs and are now officially notified.
·
Ensures
uniformity, transparency,
and predictability in CRI examination.
·
Facilitates
better understanding of patent eligibility in disruptive technologies.
·
Aids inventors, legal professionals, and IPO
examiners in resolving CRI-related patentability challenges.
The guidelines and
feedback reports are available on the official
CGPDTM website (www.ipindia.gov.in). Controller General Prof.
(Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit emphasized the importance of these guidelines in
supporting innovation and effective patent protection in India.
The
Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM)
has released the Revised Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions
(CRIs), 2025. The new guidelines aim to enhance clarity, consistency, and predictability
in the examination of CRIs, while aligning India's patenting practices with global
standards. This has been done in response to the rapidly evolving technological
landscape.
The
revised guidelines incorporate key considerations for inventions related to emerging
technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning
(DL), Cloud Computing, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain.
Key
highlights of the revised CRI Guidelines, 2025 include:
·
Inclusion
of a detailed chapter on jurisprudence elaborating the nuances of CRIs;
·
Step-wise
assessment methodology for Section 3(k) of the Patents Act, supported by multiple
examples;
·
Flowcharts
to assist stakeholders, including IPO officials, in understanding the assessment
process under Section 3(k);
·
A Comprehensive
Chapter on Examination of Inventions related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine
Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), Blockchain, Quantum Computing, with scenario
based examples, sufficiency of disclosure requirements and aspect(s) which may take
it out of the purview of exclusion under section 3(k),
·
An annexure
comprising an indicative list of 40 additional examples—apart from the 20 examples
in the main body—illustrating allowable and non-allowable claims under Section 3(k).
The
Draft Guidelines for Examination of CRIs, 2025 (Version 1.0) were published on 25th
March 2025, followed by a structured stakeholder consultation process held across
all four Patent Office locations—Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Based on the
feedback received, the Revised Draft Guidelines for Examination of CRIs, 2025 version
2.0 was published on 26th June 2025 for further comments. After careful consideration
and deliberation of stakeholder suggestions, the final revised guidelines have now
been notified.
The
revised guidelines are intended to bring uniformity and transparency to CRI examination
practices and will help streamline the decision-making process within the Indian
patent ecosystem. The document also includes subject-specific examples aligned with
prevailing jurisprudence to assist in effective resolution of patentability challenges.
Controller
General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit, stated
that the revised guidelines will serve as a crucial reference for inventors and
officials alike, particularly in navigating the patentability of AI-implemented
and other disruptive technology-based inventions.
The
notified guidelines are now available on the official website of the CGPDTM at www.ipindia.gov.in.
In line with the commitment to transparent and collaborative decision-making, a
compilation of the feedback received on both draft versions, along with summaries
of in-person consultations held across the four locations, has also been published.
The
Office of the CGPDTM extends its gratitude to all stakeholders for their active
participation and valuable contributions throughout the consultation process.