The Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Suresh Prabhu took a review of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) related initiatives taken by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for strengthening the IPR regime in the country.

The Government of India has been working relentlessly to streamline IP processes and modernization of IP offices through steps such as comprehensive e-filing facilities made available for patents and trademarks, auto-allotment of patent applications to ensure uniformity and utilization of the specialized expertise of all examiners and controllers and by auto generation of trademark certificates. Examination of Patent applications has increased over three times in the last six months compared to the same period last year.

To reduce the pendency, 458 Patent and 59 Trademark examiners have been appointed in addition to the existing manpower. Pendency in Patent examination is targeted to be brought down from the present 7 years to 18 months by 2019. The pendency of Trademark applications at the examination stage has been reduced drastically – the time taken for examination has been brought down from 13 months to less than one month.

Innovation is widely recognized as a central driver of economic growth and development. In this context, DIPP has also signed an institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology to establish India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre, Punjab, under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC program. Another TISC is being established at Anna University, Chennai.

Talking about the importance of IPR and innovation the Commerce and Industry Minister said, “India is now at the forefront of innovation and developing new ideas. In such scenario, protection of IPRs becomes extremely important.” On this occasion, Secretary DIPP Shri Ramesh Abhishek provided the details of how recent initiatives by the Government of India are transforming the IP landscape in India.

The Government has been spreading awareness about IPRs in schools and efforts are on to include IPRs in school curriculum. The awareness drive is also being carried forward in universities and industries as well.

The Government has been engaging with people on social media platforms as well. The #LetsTalkIP campaign has gained momentum and this initiative aims to bring about a radical change with respect to awareness on Geographical Indications (GIs) and India’s rich cultural heritage. A logo design and slogan contest for GIs of India has also been launched on the MyGov.in website.

On this occasion, the Minister also launched the official website of the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM), which is a professional body created under the aegis of DIPP to ensure focused action on issues related to IPRs and smooth implementation of the objectives of the National IPR Policy adopted in May 2016.  The website can be accessed at www.cipam.gov.in.  It will provide regular updates on the latest IP trends – statistics on applications filed, examined, grants and disposal for various IPRs. It would provide information on the various initiatives being taken by the Government to strengthen the IPR regime in the country.

Intellectual Property Rights modernization accelerates e filing, examiner recruitment, pendency reduction and national awareness initiatives. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has modernised IP administration through e filing, auto allocation of patent applications, auto generation of trademark certificates and recruitment of additional examiners to reduce pendency; trademark examination time has been cut to under one month. Institutional and outreach measures include establishing Technology and Innovation Support Centers, IPR awareness in schools and universities, social media GI campaigns, and launch of the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management website to publicise statistics and implement the National IPR Policy.