Patent Rules, 2003
The Patent Rules, 2003 framed by the Federal Government pursuant to the authority granted under section 105 of the Patent Ordinance, 2000, set out the procedural framework for patent administration in Pakistan. The earlier Patent Rules, 1933 are superseded and the proceedings pending under the former regime were to be concluded in accordance with those earlier rules.
The Rule 5 of Patent Rules, 2003 prescribes the format and presentation of documents submitted under the Ordinance. All documents are required to be prepared on white A4 paper (29.7 cm × 21 cm). Margins must not be less than: 2.0 cm at the top, 2.5 cm on the left, 2.0 cm on the right, and 2.0 cm at the bottom. Except for drawings, all documents must be typed or printed in black, permanent ink, using legible characters with at least one-and-a-half line spacing.
The Rule 8 of Patent Rules, 2003 governs applications for the grant of patents. The prescribed fees are set forth in the First Schedule, and the relevant forms in the Second Schedule. Specifications are required to make clear reference to the number of the principal patent or patent application, with an explicit statement where the invention constitutes an improvement or modification of the prior claim. The minimum height of characters and numerals must be 0.32 cm. Each abstract must begin with the invention’s title and generally should not exceed two pages.
Applications for further proceedings are to be submitted in the prescribed forms, including:
Registration of patent agents is also regulated. Applications must be filed in Form PTA-1, and the Patent Office is tasked with maintaining a Register of Patent Agents containing their names, addresses, qualifications, and dates of registration. The Controller is empowered to extend the time limits prescribed by the Rules where deemed appropriate. Requests for extensions are required to be submitted in Form P-4.
