Shri Piyush Goyal Calls for AI and Data Analytics in Trademark Searches, Strengthened Copyright Protection

Innovation is the key to India's march towards Viksit Bharat. This was stated by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal at the National Intellectual Property Awards 2024.

The National Intellectual Property (IP) Awards are conferred annually to recognize and reward individuals, institutions, organizations, and enterprises for their outstanding contributions to IP creation and commercialization. These awards play a crucial role in strengthening the IP ecosystem in India and fostering innovation and creativity. The National IP Awards encourage effective IP portfolio management, which significantly impacts innovation across various industry sectors. The award function was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today. Judge of Delhi High Court, Justice Prathiba Maninder Singh was present on the ocassion.

Shri Goyal emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem through legislative changes, administrative reforms, and new initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and research. He said that, “This is the sangam of tradition and technology. Innovation has always been in our DNA. We are very proud that ‘zero’ originated from India. Chess, too, is now being recognized as a game that originated from our ancient tradition of Chaturanga. Innovation will define India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat.”

Highlighting the significance of research and development (R&D), Shri Goyal stressed that no country can claim to be developed without focusing on innovation, new ideas, and technology-driven progress. “In our Amrit Kaal, as we work towards making India a resilient economy, R&D will play a crucial role. We are moving towards becoming a powerhouse of new technologies and ideas,” he added.

Shri Goyal announced the government’s continued efforts to support scientific advancements through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), which will facilitate collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia. “The NRF will be instrumental in fostering enthusiasm for science and technology innovation among stakeholders,” he noted.

The Minister also highlighted key achievements and reforms in India’s IP landscape. India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index has improved significantly, from 81 in 2015 to 39 in the latest ranking. India now has the sixth-largest trademark filings globally, with patent grants reaching approximately 100,000 last year. There has been a reduction of fees by 80% for women entrepreneurs, startups, and MSMEs to encourage greater participation in the IP ecosystem. The government has implemented digital interventions to streamline trademark applications and patent processes. The recruitment of approximately 400 new patent examiners currently undergoing training will expedite patent processing and ensure speedy grant and protection of inventions. The inauguration of a state-of-the-art IP office building in Dwarka, accommodating over 750 officers, will enhance operational efficiency.

To further strengthen India’s IP framework, Shri Goyal called for more judicial support in IP-related cases. He proposed setting up specialized IP benches in High Courts and introducing an internship system for young law students to familiarize them with the IP ecosystem.

Shri Goyal emphasized the need for modern technologies such as AI and data analytics in trademark searches and IP enforcement. He also stressed the importance of stronger copyright protection measures to safeguard the interests of innovators and businesses.

Encouraging grassroots innovation, he lauded the Atal Tinkering Labs initiative, which fosters innovation among schoolchildren. He also advocated for greater public-private-academic partnerships, leveraging Anusandhan NRF funds to drive research initiatives.

Quoting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Goyal concluded, “The significance of science is not only in invention and development but also in fulfilling the aspirations of the last person. Inclusive growth remains our mantra, and scientific progress must support our efforts to bring development benefits to the most marginalized.”

Award Categories and Winners

The National Intellectual Property Awards 2024 were conferred across the following 13 categories:

Special Citations

Special citations were also awarded in the following four categories:

Additionally, a Jury Certificate Award was conferred for a Rural Centric Invention to-Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited & Coromandel International Limited.

A Letter of Appreciation, as recommended by the Award Jury, was also presented in the following categories:

Linking of National IP Awards with WIPO Awards

As part of the global recognition initiative, the National IP Awards are linked with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Awards, which include:

1. WIPO National Award for Inventors – Recognizing inventors for their contributions to national wealth and development.
2. WIPO National Award for Enterprises – Encouraging businesses, including SMEs, to leverage the IP system in their operations.
3. WIPO National Award for WIPO Users – Recognizing early adopters or innovative users of WIPO’s IP services.

These WIPO Awards were conferred in the following categories:

The National Intellectual Property Awards 2024 reaffirm India’s commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening its IP framework, and accelerating growth in the intellectual property landscape.