Patent Application Status: A Complete Guide for MSMEs

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• How to Check Your Patent Application Status
• Common Challenges in Patent Application Tracking
• Leveraging Government Schemes for Patent Filing
• Post-Grant Patents: What MSMEs Should Do After Approval
• Conclusion

Say you’ve finally filed a patent for something your business has spent months developing — maybe a unique machine part, a process tweak, or even software that saves hours of work each week. You’ve filled out the forms, paid the fees, submitted the diagrams. Now what?

For most small business owners, this is where the uncertainty begins. You wait. Sometimes you’re not sure if the application is stuck, moving forward, or needs something from you. You don’t get an email. You don’t get a call. And unless you know where to look, it’s easy to assume everything’s fine — until it’s not.

This is why knowing how to check your patent application status matters. It’s not just a formality. It’s about staying informed, so you’re not caught off guard by a missed deadline or a rejection you didn’t see coming. It also gives you the confidence that your application is moving — or the clarity to act if it isn’t.

If you’re running a business and filing your first patent, this guide walks you through where to check, what the different status messages mean, and how to stay one step ahead. It’s practical, it’s simple, and it could save you weeks of guessing.

How to Check Your Patent Application Status

After you’ve gone through the grind of filing a patent — gathering documents, paying fees, getting the drawings right — it’s natural to want some clarity on what’s happening next. But here’s what many business owners don’t realise: once you file, nobody’s going to chase you with updates.

The onus is on you to track it.

And yes, there is a way to do it online — not the most intuitive system, but it works if you know where to look.

Start With the Application Number

When you file a patent in India, you’re assigned an application number. This number is everything. It’s like your ticket into the system. Without it, you’re pretty much blind.

Sometimes businesses file through agents or consultants and never receive this number — or it gets buried in an email. First thing: dig it up. If you used a service or lawyer, ask them to send it again. Don’t proceed without it.

Use the Indian Patent Office’s Portal

Go to the InPASS website — short for Indian Patent Advanced Search System.

Click on “Application Status” and plug in your number. Hit search — and you’ll see a table showing the current stage of your patent.

What the Status Terms Actually Mean

Now here’s the part where most people get confused — the language.

The status could say things like “Filed,” “Published,” “FER issued,” or sometimes even “Abandoned.” They don’t really explain what those mean unless you already know.

Quick run-through:

• Filed: Your application’s been accepted and logged in the system.
• Published: This happens after 18 months. It’s made public.
• FER issued: First Examination Report — it’s feedback from the examiner. You usually need to respond.
• Granted: You’ve got the patent. You own the rights.
• Abandoned: Something went wrong. Maybe a deadline was missed, or no response was filed.

If it shows “FER issued” and you didn’t get any notification — that’s a red flag. You’ll need to act fast to keep things moving.

A Quick Example: Learning It the Hard Way

There’s a small electronics firm in Coimbatore that filed a patent for a smart sensor unit. They did everything right — filed on time, got help from a consultant, paid the fees. Then… silence.

They assumed no news was good news.

Six months later, during a casual conversation with a supplier, the founder decided to check the status. Turned out, the application had been marked as “abandoned” because they never replied to the FER — which they didn’t even know was issued.

They reapplied. Cost them extra time and money.

The takeaway? Put a reminder in your calendar. Check every few weeks. The system won’t always alert you — but you can avoid nasty surprises by being proactive.

Common Challenges in Patent Application Tracking

If you’ve ever tried tracking your patent after filing, you’ll know it’s not exactly plug-and-play. On paper, it sounds simple: go to the portal, type in your application number, and see where things stand. But in practice, MSMEs run into a few roadblocks — and they’re more common than you’d expect.

Let’s go over a few that come up often, especially for businesses that are applying for the first time.

The Status Doesn’t Seem to Change

This is probably the most frustrating one.

You check the status once a month. It keeps saying “Filed” or “Published.” No emails, alerts or any movement.

In most cases, this just means your application is in the queue, waiting for examination. The patent office deals with a heavy load, and things move slowly — especially if you didn’t request early publication or expedited processing. That’s normal, but it’s also why you need to keep checking. Sometimes, behind that same status, a First Examination Report (FER) might already be sitting quietly in the backend, waiting for your response.

You Didn’t Get Notified About a Deadline

This happens more often than it should.

Let’s say the patent office issues a FER — which is basically a document listing their observations or objections. You’re expected to respond within six months. If you miss that window, the application is marked abandoned.

Here’s the issue: the official notice might get sent to your patent agent, or worse, to an old email ID you no longer check. And unless someone is actively tracking it, the deadline slips by unnoticed.

One MSME founder — running a sustainable textiles unit out of Ahmedabad — only learned about the FER when they randomly logged into the portal three months later. They scrambled to reply just before the clock ran out. It wasn’t ideal, but it was salvageable.

The Language on the Portal Is Hard to Understand

Even if you manage to find your status, the wording isn’t always beginner-friendly.

Terms like FER, examination requested, pre-grant opposition, or form 3 pending can leave you guessing. There’s no simple “Here’s what to do next” note. This is where first-time filers often face issues. The portal assumes you already know the legal lingo — but most MSMEs don’t have an in-house IP team or legal department to decode these things.

If you’re unsure, don’t wait. Either contact your agent (if you’ve used one) or reach out to the patent office helpdesk. Even a quick call can clear things up. Ignoring it and hoping it’ll resolve on its own? That’s where small mistakes become expensive ones.

Leveraging Government Schemes for Patent Filing

Ask any small business owner who’s filed a patent — the process isn’t just time-consuming. It’s expensive. You’ve got filing fees, legal help, technical diagrams, and follow-up charges. For a business that’s already juggling cash flow, these costs can make patenting feel like a luxury.

But what many MSMEs don’t know is that the government actually wants you to protect your ideas — and they’ve put real money behind that support.

There’s Money on the Table — Use It

The Ministry of MSME runs a scheme to help with intellectual property rights (IPR) costs. It’s not a loan. You don’t pay it back. It’s a reimbursement — for up to half of what you spent on your patent application.

This covers both Indian and international filings. And it’s not just the government fee — it includes legal consultant charges too, as long as they’re clearly documented.

You just need your Udyam certificate, proof of filing, receipts, and a short form. That’s it.

Startups Have Another Option — And It’s Faster

If your business is registered as a startup with DPIIT, there’s a second scheme under Startup India that can help. It’s designed to speed up the patent process and reduce your costs at the same time.

You’re assigned a government-approved IP facilitator — someone who walks you through the paperwork, clarifies what you need to write, and even handles filing. You don’t pay them. The government does.

Most people assume this kind of help only comes if you’ve raised funding or have a big-name investor. Not true. As long as you’ve got DPIIT recognition and your innovation is legitimate, you’re eligible.

One of our clients — a health-tech startup from Kochi — filed their first patent through this channel. The facilitator made the language watertight, and they got the patent in under 11 months.

Why MSMEs Shouldn’t Overlook These

Look — filing a patent can feel like a big leap, especially when every rupee counts. But skipping it means leaving your idea unprotected. If someone else files before you, there’s very little you can do later.

These schemes exist to remove that friction. Use them. File with support. Claim what you can.

And once your patent is granted, you’re not just protected — you’re in a stronger position to negotiate, license, or even raise funds. That’s the real value.

Post-Grant Patents: What MSMEs Should Do After Approval

Getting your patent granted is a milestone. No doubt about that. But it’s not the end of the road — far from it. In fact, a lot of MSMEs file, get the approval, and then… don’t do much with it. The patent ends up framed on a wall or mentioned in pitch decks. That’s not enough.

If you’ve got a granted patent, the next steps can help you actually use it — to grow your business, protect your market, and sometimes even make money from it.

Make Sure You Keep It Alive

Here’s something many folks miss: the maintenance of patents. That means paying a renewal fee every year to keep it active. Miss that window, and your protection lapses. Once that happens, you can’t stop someone else from using the same idea — even if you were the first to file.

The reminder won’t always land in your inbox. It’s your job to track it.

Set up a calendar alert. If you’re working with a legal consultant, ask them to manage the renewals and confirm deadlines in writing. Don’t assume it’s automatic.

Enforce It When Necessary

Having a patent gives you the right to stop others from using your invention. But here’s the catch — nobody’s going to monitor that for you. If someone copies your design or sells a product that overlaps with your claim, you’ll need to take action.

Start with a soft warning — usually through a legal notice. In most cases, that’s enough to get them to stop. If not, you may need to explore formal legal steps.

One MSME in Bengaluru, working in solar components, spotted a competitor using their patented mounting system. They reached out informally first. It didn’t work. Their lawyer then sent a formal notice — the copycats backed off in under two weeks.

Think About Licensing

Not every business wants to manufacture or market their own innovation. If that’s the case — or if you’re open to partnerships — licensing your patent can be a smart move.

Here’s how it works: You allow another company to use your invention, and in return, they pay you a fee or royalty. You still own the patent. They get temporary rights to use it, based on whatever agreement you both sign.

This is especially useful if you’ve built something niche — a component, a process improvement, or something industry-specific. You let a larger player scale it while you benefit from their reach.

It’s not always easy to find licensing partners, but trade expos, industry groups, and even government IP facilitation centres can help with introductions.

Use It in Conversations That Matter

A granted patent isn’t just a legal asset — it’s a business card. Mention it in your investor pitch. Put it in your RFPs when bidding for contracts. Highlight it in your product brochures. Buyers and funders often don’t understand the technical depth, but they understand that you own something others don’t.

It’s credibility. It tells people you’re not just another small firm — you’re innovating. And that edge matters, especially when you’re competing for attention in crowded markets.

Conclusion

You’ve taken the step to protect what you’ve built. That already puts you ahead of many. But a patent on its own doesn’t change much — it’s what you do with it that matters.

Don’t file and forget. Follow through. Track your status regularly. Make sure there aren’t any missed deadlines. If you qualify for support, claim it. There’s no reward for doing it the hard way.

And once it’s granted? Put it to work. Use it when you pitch. Mention it in proposals. Let people know that your business doesn’t just operate — it invents.

Plenty of MSMEs stop short after filing, thinking the job’s done. But you’re not most MSMEs. If you’ve read this far, you’re clearly looking to do it right.

FAQs