Technology and innovation are the twin engines for growth and IP is the fuel which will transform India into an economic superpower

New Delhi: “Technology and innovation are the twin engines for growth and IP is the fuel which will transform India into an economic superpower. Make, Design and Protect in India should be the new mantra for IP revolution” says, Shri Piyush Goyal,  Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Govt of India, at the National IP Awards on 17th August 2021 hosted by CII.

A total of 16 awards, including four World Intellectual Property organization (WIPO) awards, were conferred at the platform of National IP Awards organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Indian Patent Office (IPO).

On occasion of the Award ceremony, Shri Piyush Goyal, highlighted that the national IP awards not only recognize the innovators but also serve as an inspiration for others, especially the young generation in their journey towards R&D and innovation.

He further emphasized that while India’s rank in GII 2020 is 48, a collaborative model from Industry to map best innovation practices will take India to the league of top 25 and enable India become innovation powerhouse of the world.

He further highlighted significant initiatives like the National IPR Policy for Creative India- Innovative India, significant concessions for online IPR filing, startups and women entrepreneurs etc, reduced patent examination time, and a significant increase in trademark registrations to 14 lakhs in last 4 years vis-à-vis 11 lakhs in 75 years.

Hon’ble Minister announced an 80% fee reduction for IPR filing by educational institutions, which becomes the lowest fee among top patent offices worldwide. He further announced institution of 75 scholarships for students from economically weaker sections of society pursuing studies in IP related law.

CIIs recommendations on IP Think and Act Tank, IPR as collateral by financial institutions and enabling the development and skilling of IP expertise for new-age technologies were kindly accepted by Hon’ble Minister.

Congratulating the winners of the National IP Awards, Shri Giridhar Aramane, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India expressed his gratitude to Indian innovators for their unstinted commitment in providing innovative solutions for covid challenges. He further mentioned that the dedication and hard work from industry needs special mention as they helped to ensure that innovations are sustained. The ease of doing business and ease of living are the only mantra for this govt. There have been monumental efforts from the govt to remove all redundant process & clauses. In line with this, the Indian Patent office has revolutionized its processes to ensure ease of doing business and reduce burden in compliance by making IP laws simple and easy to understand, removal of redundant processes and reducing backlogs.

Addressing the audience, Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII stated that India’s innovation and IPR ecosystem is all set to reach global heights, in the midst of global disruption, which has opened up new opportunities. As India aspires to become a US $ 5trillion economy by 2025, a consistent rise in R&D investments coupled with a strengthened IP portfolio is called for. CII is proactively engaged with government and industry towards supporting the development of robust IPR ecosystem in India.

Explaining the background of the awards, Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo, Joint Secretary, DPIIT and Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, highlighted some of the significant government initiatives in last 7 years and the impact created. Re-engineering of IP processes has led to a 42% increase in domestic patent filing and an increase of e-filing of patents from 35% in 2013-14 to more than 96% in 2020-21. Today, there is a pendency of less than 1 month in trademark filing, the global best. Because of these reforms, India’s rank in GII has increased from 81 in 2015 to 48 in 2020.

The award for Top Start-up for IP Commercialization was conferred on Newndra Innovations Private Limited.

IdeaForge Technology Pvt Ltd received the Award for Top Indian MSME for Patents & Commercialization.

The Award for Top Indian Company / Organization for Designs & Commercialization was conferred to Apollo Tyres Ltd.

Biocon Biologics Limited was the winner in the category of Top Indian Company for creating Global Brand as well as the winner of WIPO Users Trophy. Amity University for the first time, bagged the National Intellectual Property Award 2020 for Top Indian Academic Institution for Patents & Commercialization.

Mr. Viswesh Srinivasan was felicitated with the award for Top Individual for Patents & Commercialization as well as WIPO Medal for Inventors.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd won the award for Top R & D Institution/ Organisation.

The awards for Top Public Limited Company / Private Limited Company for Patents & Commercialization in India (Manufacturing sector) and WIPO IP Enterprises Trophy was conferred on UPL Ltd.

Engineers India Limited was conferred the award for Top Public Limited Company / Private Limited Company for Patents & Commercialization in India (Others) and WIPO IP Enterprises Trophy.

Coffee Board was the recipient of the award for top individual/ organization for Best facilitation of Registration of GI and Promotion of registered GI in India.

Special Citations for Best TISC (Technology and Innovation Support Centre) has been announced for National Research Development Corporation, whereas PIC-Assam received Special Citations for Best PIC (Patent Information Centre).

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) play an encouraging role in innovation and creativity. Since, 2009, the National Intellectual Property Awards have been constituted jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and the Indian Patents Office (IPO) to felicitate the champions of IP creation and commercialization. Comprising a winning amount of Rs 1 lakh in cash, a trophy and a citation, the awards are evaluated on the basis of number of IPRs filed/granted / registered, growth in IPR portfolio in the last three calendar years, leveraging of IPRs for achieving commercial goals (manufacturing, licensing, processes associated with granted/ registered IPRs for marketing/ export etc.).

The Award Ceremony witnessed participation of more than 1700 delegates.