Cross-sectional analysis of patents in Indian fisheries sector

The Indian fisheries sector has been influenced by TRIPS agreement since establishment of WTO. A study was undertaken where patents in the fisheries sector were documented. The analysis reveals a steady increase in patenting activity in field of fish processing technology (83 patents) and aquaculture (31 patents) but, patenting activity in fishing technology (37 patents) reveals a steady decline. Average number of patents/year after introduction of Indian Patent Act 1970 was three per year which increased to six patents per year in post-WTO era (1996–2000). The results indicate an aspect of less innovation in fisheries sector as reflected by patent statistics. However, there has been a shift towards increased patenting activity in post-TRIPs era particularly by domestic applicants. A case study on ‘Taraporewala hatchery for carp eggs’ shows the practical intellectual property issues that arise while patenting and commercializing new technology by a public sector research organization and that the patent rights have not been exploited to the fullest in terms of enforcement and commercialization.