ASSOCHAM suggests new IPR authority

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has recommended to the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) to set up a National Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Strategy Authority in view of fast changing trade environment driven by global competition, innovation risks, short product life cycle, rapid changes in technology involving huge investments in research & development and human resource.

The proposed authority should aim at aligning towards achieving a target of 50,000 patent applications filed in India in 2015 and 1,50,000 in 2020, ASSOCHAM said in a statement. "Similar targets should also be set for filing of design and trade mark applications."

Based on the total global patent filings in 2010, it can be seen that the United States received 24.8 per cent of the applications, China received 19.8 per cent, and Japan received 17.4 per cent of the applications. On the other hand, India received only 1.9 per cent of the applications.

ASSOCHAM President Rajkumar Dhoot said the proposed authority should be functionally autonomous and financially independent. It should be made responsible and accountable to look into several existing policies, statutes, and regulations. "A review of such policies, statutes and regulations should be undertaken with a view to align them with the stated objectives of the National IPR Strategy and to provide equal opportunity platform to all the players irrespective of their nationality."

"Formulation, adoption and wide dissemination of objectives should be encouraged in all ministries, departments and bodies of the central government, state, sub-state governments, business and cooperative sectors."

Moreover, ASSOCHAM said tax incentives should be extended to IPR procurement expenses as well. Concessional official fee offered only to individual inventors today should be extended to MSMEs and universities also. Also, attractive official fee structure should be offered to individuals in case of trademarks and design registrations as is provided for patents.

"The processes for granting or registration of all types of IPRs, including trademarks, design and patent, should be made time bound and efficient by streamlining the procedure by which any application for any of the IPRs is processed."