The Department of Industrial policy and Promotion (DIPP) has taken multi pronged strategy to develop an Intellectual Property regime in the country to promote creativity and to develop the culture of respect for innovations and creativity. Industrial property which includes patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications is regulated by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
During the year, the Intellectual Property Office has been radically transformed through numerous initiatives that have contributed tremendously to easing of access to the IP system, efficiency in processing of IP applications, uniformity and consistency in the examination of applications, transparency and dissemination of IP information, bilateral cooperation at the international level, and raising the awareness level of the public.
Government of India has been functioning persistently to streamline IP processes through e-filing facilities for patents and trademarks, auto-allotment of patent applications to ensure standardization and exploitation of the focused expertise of all examiners and Controllers as well as by auto generation of trademark certificates.
Foremost among the changes are a proposal to streamline the present examination procedure and introduce a new expedited examination procedure. After that, rather than considering pendency in isolation, government urges to work proactively to recover patent quality while reducing pending applications backlog by appointing 458 Patent and 59 Trademark examiners in addition to the existing manpower. It has been strongly targeted to bring down from the present 7 years to 18 months by 2019. The patent certificates will also be generated through an automated system after the patent is granted and shall be available to the applicants concerned or their authorized patent agents on record. Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks has started the SMS facility for the applicants and agents where by receiving alerts, informing them the progress of applications at various stages of processing.
The Department of Industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), ministry of commerce and Industry, Government of India, signed an institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology in New Delhi on July 13, 2017 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.
The objective of TISC is to stimulate energetic, effervescent and balanced IPR system in India to encourage ingenuity and novelty, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and economic development by establishing a network of TISC’s in India. Another TISC is being established at Anna University, Chennai.
Union Minister “Mr. Suresh Prabhu” recently in his vocalizations said it is “extremely vital” to protect India’s intellectual property rights (IPRs) as the country now stands at the forefront of innovation and developing new ideas. A professional body under the department of Industrial policy and promotion ensures focused attention on issues related to IPRs and addresses the objective of spreading IPR awareness in schools, colleges/universities and the industry. Engaging with the people on social media through #LetsTalkIP campaign across the country to bring about an essential change to promote Indian geographical indications.
The Minister for Commerce and Industry also launched the official website for the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) on October 24, 2017. The website is interactive providing regular update on all upcoming events including awareness and sensitization programs being conducted. 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.
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