That court, in Washington, has exclusive jurisdiction over patent appeals.

Given that basmati is not patented by geographic location even within India, the country's international patent appeal appears weak.

The creation in the early 1980's of a special Federal court for handling patent appeals also contributed to stronger enforcement of patents.

The Federal Circuit, which sits in Washington, is a specialized court with nationwide jurisdiction over patent appeals.

The applicant appealed to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.

To secure uniformity in the several Federal circuits and correct errors, it has been proposed to establish a central court of patent appeals in Washington.

Although the Supreme Court was still the ultimate authority on patent appeals, it rarely reviewed the Federal Circuit's decisions during its first two decades.

The Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences adjudicates only about 1 - 2% of all issued patents.

In the first option, the applicant may appeal rejection of claims to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.

In addition, R.I.M. is preparing an appeal to the Supreme Court, although even it acknowledges that the court rarely hears patent appeals.