India sees a rise in patent, trademark applications: DIPP

If the total number of IPR applications filed in the country is an indication, then India is creating a conducive environment for innovations. According to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), the filing of patent applications has increased from 4824 in the year 1999-2000 to 28,882 applications in the year 2006-2007. As against 8,010 trademark (TM) registrations in 1999-2000, 109,361 TMs were registered in 2006-07. Also, the filing of applications for design has increased from 2874 in 1999-2000 to 5372 in 2006-07.

Out of these, there has been a significant increase in the number of patent applications filed in the computer/electronics and biotechnology fields in recent years, due to the intensive research and development activities taking place in these sectors. One of the main reasons for the growth in the number of patent applications filed in India has been attributed to the government's initiatives to strengthen the IPR in India, in collaboration with industry and academia.

"In the era of globalisation, the importance of IPR is growing and has become imperial to the growth of Indian economy. Companies like Cadila Pharmaceuticals and Dishman have positively adhered to the IPR, keeping intact the confidence of businesses of the world in Gujarat," said Sujit Gulati, IAS, state industries commisioner at a seminar on 'Intellectual Property for Prosperity', organised in Ahmedabad by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the US embassy in India.

Talking about the importance of IPRs to the economy, KS Kadam, assistant controller of patent and design, Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Delhi, said, "Various government agencies and industry need to work in co-ordination to ensure that the legal remedies are used to achieve maximum outcome."

The registeration and renewal of intellectual properties related to patents, trade marks, copyrights, designs and geographical indications (GI) has been a constant effort of the enforcement agencies. "We are discussing various future strategies in tackling piracy. The state governments have complied to implement various initiatives to curb piracy and spread awareness about IPR. A collaboration between the industry, academia and the government in the field of IPR is inevitable for the economy to grow," said GR Raghavender, registrar of copyrights and deputy secretary, department of higher education.

The seminar brought together representatives of the research and innovative processes from the corporate world to interact with various authorities and experts from the field of intellectual property protection.