A single window interface for information on Intellectual Property and guidance on leveraging it for competitive advantage. That is what the Indian IP Panorama, released by the Government of India today, offers. The portal seeks to increase awareness and build sensitivity towards IP, among stakeholders in the SME sector, academia and researchers. The Indian IP Panorama can be accessed here: http://ict-ipr.in/index.php/ip-panorama

The Indian IP Panorama is a customized version of IP Panorama Multimedia toolkit, developed by World Intellectual Property Organization, Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korea Invention Promotion Association. The toolkit has been adapted to cater to SMEs and start-ups, especially in the ICTE sector of India, based on an agreement signed between WIPO and DeitY. The Indian IP Panorama is thus a customized version of WIPO’s original product and is in accordance with Indian IP laws, standards, challenges and needs of the Indian ICTE sector.

The following five modules of the Indian IP Panorama have been released today:

1.   “Importance of IP for SMEs”,

2.   “Trademark”,

3.   “Industrial design”,

4.   “Invention and Patent” and

5.   “Patent Information”

The Indian IP Panorama has been developed under the aegis of Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Government of India by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), in close coordination with the Indian IP office.

Besides Secretary, DIPP Mr. Ramesh Abhishek who released the Panorama, Mr. Francis Gurry, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) was also present on the occasion.

A survey of the Madrid Protocol usage by the Indian industry and a report on “Marketing Campaign in India for International Registration of Trade Marks”, was also released today. The survey was conducted and the report prepared by IIM Bangalore, in cooperation with DIPP, as part of a study funded by WIPO. The study will help the Indian industry to take advantage of the Madrid system.

Background

India is a member of WIPO and party to several treaties administered by WIPO. Recognizing that the strategic use of intellectual property could contribute significantly to the national development objectives of India, DIPP entered into an MoU with WIPO on 13^th November 2009. The Indian IP office has been recognised as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (as in force from October 15, 2013). It may be recalled that a leading Indian consumer electronics company, Micromax Informatics Limited was recognized with the 1.25 millionth international trademark under WIPO’s Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks.

India acceded to Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks at WIPO on July 8, 2013. The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid system) offers trademark owners a cost effective, user friendly and streamlined means of protecting and managing their trademark portfolio internationally.

Madrid system accession expands trademark registration options for Indian industry, supported by new Indian IP Panorama portal. The Indian IP Panorama is an online portal adapted from WIPO's IP Panorama toolkit to raise IP awareness and guide SMEs, start ups and researchers in the ICTE sector. It is customised to Indian laws and contains five modules: Importance of IP for SMEs, Trademark, Industrial Design, Invention and Patent, and Patent Information. Developed by C DAC under DeitY and DIPP with the Indian IP office, its release coincides with a WIPO funded IIM Bangalore report on Madrid System use to help industry pursue international trademark registration.