The Commerce and Industry Ministry will suggest states to formulate their own Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy with a view to promoting innovation and giving a boost to the economy, an official said.

The Ministry convened an interactive session with industry associations on the National IPR Policy. A Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) official said that a “good suggestion” on state IPR policy was made during the session. “We will suggest state governments to consider this and prepare their own IPR policy kind of document,” the official said.

The DIPP, under the Commerce and Industry Ministry, regulates IPR related matters, among others. Explaining the benefit, the official said a policy documents helps incentivise IPR filing, fund R&D activities, boost state economy and promote creativity and innovation at local level.

The Ministry has already sought states’ help in enhancing the awareness of the new IPR policy. It has also asked them to translate the policy in regional languages. While addressing industry associations, DIPP Secretary Ramesh Abhishek said that a nation-wide awareness campaign on IPR will be launched by the DIPP.

It will be taken forward by Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) in collaboration with Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) and industry associations.

On pilot basis, the department has carried out roadshows in 18 states. The target is to carry out 3,500 roadshows by the end of 2020. Abhishek said in the recent decades, the pace of innovation in the country was not impressive, and as India is looking to be USD 10-20 trillion economy in the future, it is important to promote innovation and creativity.

Source: Money Control