Delhi High Court pulls up Patent Office for mechanical decisions sans explanations

The Delhi High Court criticised the Patent Office for issuing mechanical and unreasoned orders in patent applications. The Court emphasised that patent authorities must provide clear reasons for acceptance or rejection, as reasoned decisions are a constitutional requirement ensuring transparency and fairness in administrative law. By setting aside such orders, the Court highlighted that patent examiners cannot simply rely on template responses or blanket rejections; each case demands application of mind, adherence to statutory criteria, and justification intelligible to applicants. The judgment reinforces that intellectual property adjudication has serious commercial implications, requiring high standards of accountability. It also cautions authorities to train and supervise officers adequately to prevent arbitrary action, thereby promoting investor confidence in India’s innovation ecosystem.