Clarification regarding Intellectual Property Rights Policy Management framework which covers 8 types of intellectual property rights

Ministry of Commerce & Industry vide press release dated 21.07.2023 has issued clarification regarding Intellectual Property Rights Policy Management framework which covers 8 types of intellectual property rights. National IPR Policy 2016 encompasses all IPRs into a single vision document setting in place an institutional mechanism for implementation, monitoring and review of IP laws.

There are following types of intellectual property rights covered under Intellectual Property Rights Policy Management (IPRPM) framework: (i) Patents, (ii) Trade mark, (iii) Industrial Designs, (iv)Copyrights, (v) Geographical Indications, (vi) Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Layout Design, (vii) Trade Secret, and (viii) Plant Varieties.

The details on objectives and activities undertaken since adoption of the policy is given below:

1. Appropriate amendment in IPR Laws and Rules – improving procedural requirements in processing of applications to speed up grant and disposal.
2. Modernisation & Digitisation of IP offices – improvement in functioning and performance of IP Offices as well as streamlining workflow processes.
3. Scheme for Facilitating Start-Ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) to encourage filling of Patent applications by Startups.
4. Reduction in filing Fees for Start-ups, MSMEs, and educational Institutes to encourage Patent filling.
   Expedited Examination for certain category of applicants, such as Start-ups, small entities, women inventors for expeditious grant of Patents.
5. Awareness initiatives and Programs for stakeholders with an intent to inculcate importance of protecting their IPR at an early stage in the business development cycle.
6. National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM), a flagship program to impart IP awareness and basic training in educational institutes.
7. National Intellectual Property (IP) Awards are conferred every year to recognize and reward the top achievers comprising individuals, institutions, organizations and enterprises, for their IP creations and commercialization.
8. Patent Facilitation Programme has been revamped to scout patentable inventions and provide full financial, technical and legal support in filing and obtaining patents.
9. Expand Knowledge Capacity & Skill Building: To promote the study, research, and development of IPR in higher educational institutions, IPR chairs have been set up across the country under the Scheme for Pedagogy & Research in IPRs for Holistic Education and Academia (SPRIHA). Currently, 37 IPR Chairs are incorporated. These Chairs have facilitated 146 Patent filings and 424 Patents registered, 215 IP works published, 1373 total IP Programs conducted, 238 Pedagogy activities undertaken during 2020-21 and 2022-23.
10. Commercialization of IP: Technology Innovation Support Centres (TIS) have been set us in various Central and State Universities and State Council for Science & Technology across the country for supporting IPR education, boosting IP filings and enhancing IP commercialization. Since 2020, 12 established TISCs have filed 734 patents, conducted 1752 IP awareness programs, and commercialized 99 patents. Additionally, 901 applications for trademarks, designs and copyright were also filed. The network has been further expanded with 22 new TISCs across 20 states in the country. Technology Transfer Organizations (TTOs) & Incubators are also working in around 150 research institutions and more than 1000 Universities for commercializing IP.