Template Description

The Patent Compliance Policy Template is a statutory legal/IP policy framework designed to help companies comply with The Patents Act, 1970, Patent Rules, 2003, and global patent regulations under the TRIPS Agreement and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This 5-page MS Word template provides internal governance for managing inventions, patent filings, usage rights, licensing, enforcement, and confidentiality procedures. It is ideal for R&D-driven businesses, tech startups, product developers, and companies using or developing patentable technologies.

Understanding the Patent Compliance Policy Template

This policy template enables organisations to streamline the identification, documentation, protection, and lawful usage of patented inventions and innovations. It defines clear roles for legal/IP teams, R&D, product development, and third-party vendors while establishing procedures to minimise infringement risks and ensure the commercialisation of proprietary technologies remains compliant.

Key Features of the Template

• Legal Compliance Foundation: Structured by The Patents Act, 1970 (including the 2005 amendments), Patent Rules, 2003, and global frameworks such as the TRIPS Agreement, WIPO guidelines, and PCT filing procedures.
• Invention Disclosure & Internal Reporting: Mandatory Invention Disclosure Forms (IDF) before any publication or product launch. Centralised tracking and evaluation by the Legal/IP team to determine patentability. Pre-filing confidentiality measures.
• Patent Filing & Documentation Protocol: Covers step-by-step guidance on filing provisional and complete patent applications (Form 2), deciding jurisdiction (India or PCT route), and assigning patent attorneys.
• Ownership & Assignment Framework: Establishes company ownership over inventions made during employment or using company resources (Work-for-Hire Doctrine). Includes contractual assignment obligations for consultants and contractors.
• Use of Third-Party Patents: Prohibits unauthorised use of third-party patented technologies. Requires Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analysis and valid licensing agreements. Tracks external technology integration with IP clearance.
• Patent Record Maintenance Chart: Specifies storage, control, and retention of critical documents
• Training, Education & Awareness Programs: Regular patent awareness sessions for R&D, developers, legal teams, and senior management. Quarterly patent disclosure workshops.
• Confidentiality & Pre-Publication Control: Restricts public presentations, conference papers, blogs, and demonstrations until after patent filing. Requires clearance by Legal/IP teams before external sharing.
• Monitoring & Enforcement Guidelines: Infringement detection mechanisms, opposition tracking, and enforcement through litigation, cease-and-desist notices, or cancellation actions under Section 108 of the Act.
• Licensing & Commercialisation Protocols: Includes process for executing royalty-based licensing deals, cross-licensing, or collaborative patent ownership.
• Violation & Penalty Framework: Penalties for: Non-disclosure of inventions, Unauthorised third-party patent use, Premature publication, Breach of confidentiality.

Conclusion

This Patent Compliance Policy Template is a critical tool for organisations committed to protecting innovation and managing their patent lifecycle professionally. It ensures legal protection of company inventions, governs responsible IP use, and reduces the risk of legal or commercial exposure due to non-compliance. With detailed procedures, role-based responsibilities, and actionable protocols, the template empowers legal, R&D, and IP teams to operate in full compliance with national and international patent laws.