7 Most Common Misbeliefs About Patents
3 quiet Patent shifts that change how inventors win (or lose) in India
The patent landscape has changed faster than most realize
- Patent filings in India crossed 1,10,000 for the first time: In FY 2024–25, India recorded 110,375 patent filings—the highest ever.
- Indian innovators now dominate patent filings (61.79%) : For the first time in history, Indian applicants filed more patents than foreign applicants—68,201 filings.
- Patent grants touched a historic high: In FY24 alone, 1,03,057 patents were granted—a 17× increase compared to a decade ago.
This means one thing very clearly: The system is actively rewarding those who act early and correctly. Someone in your industry is filing early while others are unknowingly waiting.
A Quiet Risk Most Indian inventors / businesses Discover Too Late
If you are running an industry or manufacturing business in India, you already know this feeling:
“We have ideas… but we’ll deal with patents later.”
Every day, Indian industries generate valuable ideas.
Not just breakthrough inventions—but small improvements that quietly save costs, improve efficiency, reduce wastage, or create new product advantages.
- A smarter machine modification.
- A process tweak that cuts cycle time.
- A new material composition.
- A digital or automation workflow.
- An eco-friendly alternative.
- better, efficient, faster solutions or products
- You find ways to reduce cost, save energy, increase output.
And then production moves on…
meetings move on…
business moves on.”
But here is the problem:
Under Indian patent law, the person who files first owns the invention (patent), not the person who created it first. That means whoever files first, owns the rights to invention and patent.
– Even if you invented it earlier.
– Even if your factory used it first….
In India, patent rights are not lost loudly. They are lost quietly while you are busy running the business.
Many great inventions, ideas, improvements, softwares and designs often remain hidden inside factories , offices and meeting rooms, unprotected and unrecognized until someone else patents them first.
Why most inventors delay protecting inventions and regret it later?
From 14,000+ discussions with inventors, professionals, and business leaders, and from 17+ years of experience in IP field we found out one pattern appears again and again…
Delays are rarely due to lack of innovation. They are caused by misunderstandings and Misbeliefs about Patents such as:
- “We need a working prototype first.”
- “We are too busy running operations.”
- “We don’t manufacture—so what’s the use?”
- “Patents are expensive.”
- “Patents take too long.”
- “Patents are only for big companies.”
- “Patents are not worth it.”
These beliefs feel logical. But many of them are factually incorrect and extremely costly.
We recently compiled a research-backed report specifically for Indian industry and factory owners, based on real cases from:
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Auto components
- Chemicals
- Energy systems
- Process improvements
- Machinery modifications
Video: 7 Most Common Misbeliefs About Patents That Are Stopping You from Future Profits and Overcoming Competition
Video Link : https://youtu.be/N7p-t0v_AGc
Research Report Pdf : [Download the Research Report PDF]
In just a short read, you’ll discover :
- Why a prototype is NOT required to file a patent
- How most owners spend less than 8–10 hours total on the entire process
- Why even incremental improvements can be patented
- How “Patent Pending” itself creates business leverage
- Why delaying often leads to irreversible loss of rights
This is not a theory. These are mistakes we see every week, usually discovered after a competitor has filed.
In reality, many patents are filed before prototypes and cost far less than a single machine mistake.
One question worth asking
If your factory is already improving machines, processes, or products “Who owns those inventions legally today?“
If the answer is “I’m not sure,” that itself is a risk. A short conversation can prevent long-term loss
A 5–10 minute discussion can clarify:
- Whether your ideas are protectable
- Whether risk already exists
- What action (if any) is sensible
No obligation.
Just clarity – while options still exist.
You may select time slot below for a shot discussion of over call or Google Meet at your convenience.
To Schedule meeting : Select time slot on calendar
Book Free Patent Consultation . Contact number : +91 8975533075 . WhatsApp Consultation
- Indian Patent Office, Govt. of India
- Patent Facilitator for Start-ups, Startup India Govt. of India
- Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication engineering.
- Author of multiple books on Patents and IPR including a best-selling book on “How to patent an idea in India” which has been selected as the “Memorable Business Book of 2018” by Amazon
- Books are included in the syllabus of Educational Institutions as textbook and reference book on subject of IPR and Patents
- For over 15 years, Prasad has helped protect the intellectual property rights (IPR) of more than 1800 clients, including individuals, entrepreneurs, and educational institutes. This includes patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights.
- links to all videos - August 6, 2025