The Indian Patent Office rejected an application for a new vibrator because sex toys were "morally degrading ". Canada-
S. -based company Standard Innovation Company filed a patent for their "we vibe" product earlier this year in the hope of preventing local imitators from using its U-shaped device.
According to the BBC, the project's patents were rejected by officials in April for fear that its use would result in "obscenity and moral deprivation of individuals ".
The patent office said in a statement that sex toys are considered obscene and have no value.
"These toys are not considered useful or productive.
"In most cases, these are considered morally degrading," the office said in a statement . ".
"The legal perception of sexual toys is negative and has never been actively involved in the concept of sexual pleasure.
"In their decision, the office also referred to Article 292 of the Indian criminal code, 155-year-old colonial-
The laws of the times that make same-sex and unnatural sexual intercourse a crime.
While sex toys are banned in India, they are publicly sold online and on the black market.
The Supreme Court is hearing an appeal dismissing the provisions of the law.
ShamnadBasheer, a professor at India's National Law School, condemned the decision, telling the BBC: "Officials trained in technical science should not decide whether an invention is ethical or immoral.