(Trademark, Copyright, Patent, Designs & Geographical Indications – One-Shot Revision)
If you are a CS Executive student and short on time, this post is for you.
These 5 IPR chapters together carry around 40 marks, and you can revise them effectively in just 10 minutes if your concepts are clear.
This blog covers:
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✔ All important definitions
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✔ Flow-chart-based understanding
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✔ When rights are allowed / not allowed
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✔ Infringement, penalties & key concepts
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✔ Exam-oriented language for quick scoring
Why are these 5 IPR Chapters very Important for Exams?
In CS Executive exams, questions from IPR laws are:
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Conceptual
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Definition-based
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Short notes & case study friendly
If you revise these chapters properly, you can comfortably target 35–40 marks.
1. Important IPR Definitions (Very High Exam Weightage)
Trademark
A Trademark is a symbol, word, logo, or phrase that identifies goods or services and protects brand names and logos.
Copyright
Copyright protects original creative works such as books, music, films, paintings, and artistic works, giving exclusive rights to creators.
Patent
A Patent grants exclusive rights for a new invention, process, or discovery for a fixed period, generally 20 years.
Design
A Design protects the visual appearance of a product, including its shape, pattern, configuration, or ornamentation.
Geographical Indications (GI)
A GI identifies goods originating from a specific geographical area and ensures quality and authenticity.
Examples: Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice
2. Designs Act – Complete Flow Chart & Notes
Registration Process
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Application filed with the Controller of Designs
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Documents required:
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Representation of design (drawing/image)
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Class of goods
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Name & address of applicant
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Priority document (if applicable)
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Examination by Controller
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Registration granted if approved
Types of Designs
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Registered Design – Protected under Designs Act
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Unregistered Design – Not protected
Infringement of Design
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Piracy of registered design
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Using or dealing with an infringing design
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Importing an infringing design
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Applying a registered design without permission
When Design Is Allowed
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Original design
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Not previously published in India
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Not in public use
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Not functional
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Not contrary to public order or morality
When Design Is Not Allowed
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Functional design
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Previously published in India
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In public use
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Similar to the existing design
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Against public order or morality
Penalties under the Designs Act
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Infringement: ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 per infringement
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Piracy: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 per infringement
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Imprisonment: Up to 1 year
Important Definitions
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Design – Shape, pattern, ornament, configuration applied to an article
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Article – Any article of manufacture
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Controller – Controller of Designs
CS June 2026 Exam ICSI Handwritten Notes - Click Here
3. Trademark Act – Complete Flow Chart & Exam Notes
Registration Process
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Application filed with Trademark Registry
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Documents required:
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Representation of mark (logo/text)
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Class of goods/services
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Name & address of applicant
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Priority document (if applicable)
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Examination by Registrar
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Publication in Trademark Journal
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Registration if no opposition
Types of Trademarks
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Registered Trademark (®) – Statutory protection
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Unregistered Trademark (™) – Common law rights
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Collective Trademark – Used by members of an association (e.g., CS)
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Certification Trademark – Certifies standards (e.g., ISI)
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Well-Known Trademark – Extra protection (e.g., GOOGLE)
Trademark Infringement
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Using identical or similar marks for similar goods/services
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Causing confusion or deception
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Dilution of trademark owner’s rights
When Trademark Is Allowed
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Distinctive mark
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Not descriptive or generic
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Not against public order or morality
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Not similar to existing marks
When Trademark Is Not Allowed
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Descriptive or generic terms
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Deceptively similar marks
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Against public order or morality
Penalties underthe Trademark Act
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Infringement: ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000
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Counterfeiting: ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000
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Imprisonment: Up to 3 years
Key Concepts
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Passing Off – Common law remedy
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Infringement vs Passing Off
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Infringement → Statutory right
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Passing off → Common law right
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Definitions
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Trademark – Mark capable of distinguishing goods/services
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Mark – Logo, word, sign, phrase, etc.
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Registrar – Registrar of Trademarks
Use of Trademarks
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® – Exclusive rights, infringement suit
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™ – Passing off a remedy
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Allowed use – Descriptive use, comparative advertising, parody (not misleading)
4. Geographical Indications (GI) Act – Complete Notes
Registration Process
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Application filed with the GI Registry
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Documents required:
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Representation of GI
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Description of goods
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Geographical area
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Proof of origin
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Examination by Registrar
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Publication in the GI Journal
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Registration if no opposition
Types of GI
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Registered GI – Protected
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Unregistered GI – No protection
GI Infringement
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Using GI for goods not from the specified area
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Misleading the public about the origin
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Dilution of GI rights
When GI Is Allowed
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Goods originate from a specified geographical area
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Goods meet quality standards
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Not against public order or morality
When GI Is Not Allowed
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Goods do not originate from a specified area
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Misleading public
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Against public order or morality
Penalties under the GI Act
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Infringement: ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000
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Imprisonment: Up to 3 years
Key Points
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GI protects products like Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Tirupati Laddu
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Only authorised users can use the GI logo
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Duration of GI registration: 10 years (renewable)
5. Patent Act – Complete Flow Chart & Notes
Registration Process
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Application filed with the Patent Office
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Documents required:
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Specification (description & claims)
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Drawings (if applicable)
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Abstract
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Priority document (if applicable)
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Examination by Patent Office
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Grant of a patent if no opposition
Types of Patents
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Ordinary patent
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Convention patent
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PCT patent
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Provisional patent
Patent Agent
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Qualified and registered professional
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Represents the applicant before the Patent Office
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
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International patent filing system
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Single application for multiple countries
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Applicant designates countries for protection
Patent Infringement
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Unauthorised making, using, selling, or importing a patented product/process
When Patent Is Allowed
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Novel invention
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Non-obvious
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Industrial applicability
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Not previously published
When Patent Is Not Allowed
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Lack of novelty
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Obvious invention
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Not industrially applicable
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Against public order or morality
Penalties under the Patent Act
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Infringement: ₹1 lakh – ₹2 crores
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Imprisonment: Up to 2 years
Licensing of Patent
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The patent owner may grant rights to another person
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Terms decided mutually
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Recorded with Patent Office
Cancellation / Revocation
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A patent can be revoked for non-working
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Interested party may apply for revocation
Important Concepts
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Patent term: 20 years from filing
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Working of a patent is mandatory in India
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First-to-File system followed in India
CS June 2026 Exam ICSI Handwritten Notes - Click Here
Final Exam Tip for CS Executive Students
👉 Read definitions + flow charts properly
👉 Focus on allowed vs not allowed
👉 Remember penalties & duration
If revised properly, these 5 chapters alone can help you score 40 marks confidently.
📘 GENERAL IPR FAQs (1–10)
Q1. What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
Intellectual Property refers to creations of the human mind, such as inventions, designs, brands, and artistic works, protected by law.
Q2. Why is IPR important for CS Executive exams?
IPR questions are mostly definition-based, concept-oriented, and easy scoring.
Q3. Which IPR laws are covered here?
Trademark Act, Copyright Act, Patent Act, Designs Act, and Geographical Indications Act.
Q4. How many marks do IPR chapters carry?
Collectively, around 35–40 marks.
Q5. Which IPR chapters are easiest to score?The
Trademark and Designs Act is due to clear concepts and penalties.
Q6. Are flow charts important in IPR answers?
Yes, flow charts help in presentation and fetch extra marks.
Q7. Can IPR questions come as case studies?
Yes, especially from Trademark, Patent, and GI.
Q8. Are penalties important for exams?
Yes, penalties are frequently asked in short notes.
Q9. Should definitions be memorised word-for-word?
Yes, definitions carry direct marks.
Q10. Is a 10-minute revision enough for these chapters?
Yes, if concepts and flow charts are clear.
🖊️ DESIGNS ACT FAQs (11–30)
Q11. What is a design under the Designs Act?
A design means shape, pattern, ornament, or configuration applied to an article.
Q12. What is an article?
Any article of manufacture.
Q13. Who is the Controller of Designs?
Authority responsible for the registration of designs.
Q14. What is the process of registration of a design?
Application → Examination → Registration.
Q15. What documents are required for design registration?
Design representation, class of goods, applicant details, and priority document.
Q16. What are the types of designs?
Registered and unregistered designs.
Q17. Is an unregistered design protected?
No, an unregistered design has no statutory protection.
Q18. What is design infringement?
Unauthorised use or piracy of a registered design.
Q19. What acts constitute design piracy?
Importing, selling, or applying a design without permission.
Q20. When is a design allowed?
Original, unpublished, non-functional, and moral.
Q21. When is a design not allowed?
Functional, published, publicly used, or immoral.
Q22. Can functional designs be registered?
No, functional designs are not registrable.
Q23. What is the penalty for design infringement?
₹25,000 – ₹50,000 per infringement.
Q24. What is the penalty for design piracy?
₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 per infringement.
Q25. Is imprisonment possible under the Designs Act?
Yes, up to 1 year.
Q26. Can a design be cancelled?
Yes, if it does not meet registration conditions.
Q27. Is originality mandatory?
Yes, originality is compulsory.
Q28. Can published designs be registered?
No, previously published designs are not allowed.
Q29. Are moral considerations relevant?
Yes, designs against public morality are prohibited.
Q30. Are design questions asked frequently in exams?
Yes, especially infringement and penalties.
CS June 2026 Exam ICSI Handwritten Notes - Click Here
™️ TRADEMARK ACT FAQs (31–55)
Q31. What is a trademark?
A mark capable of distinguishing goods or services.
Q32. What is a mark?
A logo, word, sign, phrase, or symbol.
Q33. Who is the Registrar of Trademarks?
Authority handling trademark registration.
Q34. What is the trademark registration process?
Application → Examination → Journal → Registration.
Q35. What is a registered trademark?
Trademark registered under the Act and denoted by ®.
Q36. What is an unregistered trademark?
Trademark with common law protection, denoted by ™.
Q37. What is a collective trademark?
Used by members of an association (e.g., CS).
Q38. What is a certification trademark?
Certifies quality or standards (e.g., ISI).
Q39. What is a well-known trademark?
A trademark widely recognised by the public (e.g., GOOGLE).
Q40. What is trademark infringement?
Unauthorised use of a similar or identical mark.
Q41. What is passing off?
Common law remedy for unregistered trademarks.
Q42. Difference between infringement and passing off?
Infringement is statutory; passing off is common law.
Q43. When is a trademark allowed?
Distinctive and not deceptive.
Q44. When is a trademark not allowed?
Generic, descriptive, or immoral.
Q45. Can generic words be trademarks?
No, generic words are not registrable.
Q46. What is deceptive similarity?
Similarity is causing public confusion.
Q47. What is the dilution of a trademark?
Weakening of a trademark’s distinctiveness.
Q48. What is the penalty for trademark infringement?
₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000.
Q49. What is the penalty for counterfeiting?
₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000.
Q50. Is imprisonment applicable?
Yes, up to 3 years.
Q51. Can ® be used without registration?
No, it is illegal.
Q52. What rights does ™ give?
Right to sue for passing off.
Q53. Is comparative advertising allowed?
Yes, if not misleading.
Q54. Is parody allowed under trademark law?
Yes, if it does not cause confusion.
Q55. Are trademarks important for branding?
Yes, trademarks protect brand identity.
🌍 GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS ACT FAQs (56–70)
Q56. What is a GI?
Indication identifying goods from a specific geographical area.
Q57. Why are GIs protected?
To ensure authenticity and quality.
Q58. What is the GI registration process?
Application → Examination → Journal → Registration.
Q59. What documents are required?
Description, geographical area, proof of origin.
Q60. What are the types of GI?
Registered and unregistered GI.
Q61. Is an unregistered GI protected?
No statutory protection.
Q62. What is GI infringement?
Using GI for goods not from the specified area.
Q63. What acts amount to GI infringement?
False origin, misleading the public.
Q64. When is GI allowed?
Origin + quality standards fulfilled.
Q65. When is GI not allowed?
Misleading or immoral use.
Q66. What is the penalty under the GI Act?
₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000.
Q67. Is imprisonment applicable under the GI Act?
Yes, up to 3 years.
Q68. Who can use the GI logo?
Only authorised users.
Q69. Examples of Indian GIs?
Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Tirupati Laddu.
Q70. Duration of GI registration?
10 years, renewable.
⚙️ PATENT ACT FAQs (71–100)
Q71. What is a patent?
Exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invention.
Q72. Patent term in India?
20 years from filing.
Q73. What is the patent registration process?
Application → Examination → Grant.
Q74. What documents are required?
Specification, claims, drawings, abstract.
Q75. What are the types of patents?
Ordinary, Convention, PCT, Provisional.
Q76. What is a provisional patent?
Temporary protection before complete specification.
Q77. Who is a patent agent?
Registered professional representing the applicant.
Q78. What is PCT?
International patent filing system.
Q79. Advantages of PCT?
Single application for multiple countries.
Q80. What is patent infringement?Unauthorisedd use of a patented invention.
Q81. What acts constitute infringement?
Making, using, selling, importing without consent.
Q82. When is a patent allowed?
Novel, non-obvious, industrially applicable.
Q83. When is a patent not allowed?
Lack of novelty or immoral invention.
Q84. What is novelty?
Invention not published earlier.
Q85. What is non-obviousness?
Not obvious to a skilled person.
Q86. What is industrial applicability?
Capable of being made or used in industry.
Q87. What is the penalty for patent infringement?
₹1 lakh – ₹2 crores.
Q88. Is imprisonment applicable?
Yes, up to 2 years.
Q89. What is patent licensing?
Granting rights to another person.
Q90. Is licensing recorded?
Yes, with Patent Office.
Q91. What is the revocation of a patent?
Cancellation of patent.
Q92. Grounds for revocation?
Non-working or invalid grant.
Q93. What is the working of a patent?
Commercial use of the invention in India.
Q94. Is working mandatory?
Yes, in India.
Q95. Who is the inventor?
The person who created the invention.
Q96. What is the Patent Office?
Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks.
Q97. What system does India follow?
First-to-File system.
Q98. Can multiple inventors file a patent?
Yes, jointly.
Q99. Can a patent be sold?
Yes, through assignment.
Q100. Are patent questions common in exams?
Yes, especially infringement and PCT.
CS June 2026 Exam ICSI Handwritten Notes - Click Here
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