Intellectual Property

China leads global patent race in 2024, filing nearly half of world total

China filed 1.8 million patent applications in 2024, almost half of the world's total, with most coming from local innovators; the US ranked second, followed by Japan

Updated On: 13 Nov 2025 | 1:16 PM IST

Time to stop abusing Indian business houses, trust will help them build

Unhinged attacks on Indian business houses and their so-called trader mentality are unjustified

Updated On: 02 Sep 2025 | 11:10 PM IST

Ola to consolidate brand IPs to streamline governance, rejig structure

Ola Group is reorganising its corporate structure by establishing a holding company to consolidate its brand intellectual property (IP) assets, aiming to streamline internal ownership arrangements. The move is aimed at eliminating intra-group cross-holdings and simplifying internal ownership structures, according to people familiar with the matter. The move follows Ola Electric's public listing last year and will be carried out through a newly formed entity under the control of the founder's family office. Ola's operations currently span mobility, electric vehicles, energy, and artificial intelligence, positioning it as India's only well-diversified technology conglomerate with businesses cutting across key sectors of the new economy. ANI Technologies, which operates the group's ride-hailing business, holds the brand IP and has licensed it to electric vehicle manufacturer Ola Electric. The move has triggered concerns among some investors who worry that they could be cut out of fut

Updated On: 06 May 2025 | 5:51 PM IST

IIT Madras files 417 patents in FY25, tops its target of 'One a Day'

Premier college says it has made technology transfer deals worth Rs 28 cr in five years

Updated On: 25 Apr 2025 | 12:14 PM IST

India sees 92,000 patent filings in FY24, IP guidelines set for overhaul

Intellectual property guidelines are being revamped, with efforts directed at bringing Indian regulations to global standard

Updated On: 03 Dec 2024 | 5:03 PM IST

Patent office warns of fraudsters seeking money to process IP applications

The Indian patent office has cautioned people against fraudsters who are collecting data and status of IP (intellectual property) applications from the website and seeking money to facilitate those applications. "It is, therefore, advised to all the stakeholders who are applying or may have applied for any type of IP applications (i.e. Patents, Designs, Trade Marks, GIs (geographical indications), Designs or Copyright) that they should not fall prey to such false claims and pay any money against these claims," the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks has said in a public notice. It said that these applications are processed strictly as per provisions of law and this office has zero tolerance for any such unethical practices. In case such claims are made to any stakeholder, the same may also be brought to the attention of this office, it said. "It has come to our notice that many fraudsters are collecting data and status of IP applications from our off

Updated On: 13 Nov 2024 | 2:11 PM IST

India secures spot in global top-10 for all three major IP rights

India has secured a spot in the global top-10 for all three major intellectual property (IP) rights -- patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, the commerce and industry ministry said on Tuesday. It said India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1 per cent increase in 2023. "Nearly 90 per cent of these filings were by residents, with key sectors, including health, agri, and clothing leading the way. India's trademark office holds the second-largest number of active registrations worldwide, with over 3.2 million trademarks in force, reflecting the country's strong position in global brand protection, it said. "The findings from WIPO's (World Intellectual Property Organization) World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024 showcase India's advancements in innovation and IP," it added.

Updated On: 12 Nov 2024 | 8:12 PM IST

Useful WIPO guide on Trade Secrets and Innovation

Exporters invest lots of time, effort and money in finding customers and developing products to meet the requirements of the buyers

Updated On: 21 Jul 2024 | 11:44 PM IST

Pre-budget meet: Trade bodies call for tax deduction, investment on R&D

They also sought simplification of transfer pricing regime and tweaking of Customs duty on certain products

Updated On: 25 Jun 2024 | 11:48 PM IST

WIPO concludes treaty to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge

Members of Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have concluded an agreement under which it will be mandatory for patent applicants to disclose country of origin or source of genetic resources if the claimed invention is based on those materials or associated traditional knowledge. The treaty will provide additional protection for Indian genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Although these are currently protected within India, they are prone to misappropriation in countries, which do not have disclosure obligations. The current patent legislation does not have a mandatory provision requiring patent applicants to disclose the country of origin or source in case where the invention is based on genetic resources. At present, only 35 countries have some form of disclosure obligations, most of which are not mandatory and do not have appropriate sanctions or remedies in place for effective implementation. The new treaty was adopted on May 24 at the WIPO ...

Updated On: 25 May 2024 | 4:33 PM IST

World Intellectual Property Day 2024: History, significance, theme and more

World Intellectual Property Day 2024: The world celebrates World Intellectual Property Day on April 26 aiming to spread awareness about IP rights and encourage innovation and creativity

Updated On: 26 Apr 2024 | 12:37 PM IST

USTR retains India in IP watchlist, says patents of particular concern

Six other countries such as China, Russia, Indonesia, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela continue to remain in the list

Updated On: 26 Apr 2024 | 10:45 AM IST

India remains among challenging economies in IP protection, enforcement: US

India remains "one of the world's most challenging" major economies with respect to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP), the Biden Administration said on Thursday as it placed the country on the Priority Watch List on its 2024 Special 301 Report. India along with Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Russia and Venezuela have been placed on the 2024 Special 301 Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of US trading partners' protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights released by the US Trade Representative. These countries will be the subject of particularly intense bilateral engagement during the coming year, USTR said. USTR removed the Dominican Republic from the Watch List this year. The Special 301 Report is an annual review of the global state of IP protection and enforcement. While there has been progress under the US-India Trade Policy Forum in addressing certain issues with trademark infringement investigations and pre-grant ...

Updated On: 25 Apr 2024 | 11:37 PM IST

How to save the pandemic treaty

As countries cavil over specific clauses in a draft pandemic treaty, there is good reason to fear that the document will be whittled down so much that it becomes useless

Updated On: 27 Mar 2024 | 9:44 PM IST

Pocket FM to invest $40 million to bolster its online reading platform

Pocket Novel aims to play a pivotal role in unlocking opportunities and connecting writers with millions of readers, understanding immense potential within the underpenetrated novel market in India

Updated On: 20 Feb 2024 | 3:50 PM IST

Govt rejects EFTA's data exclusivity demand to protect generic drug cos

Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal on Thursday said that there is no free trade agreement (FTA) in which India will go against the generic drug industry

Updated On: 15 Feb 2024 | 11:18 PM IST

India-EFTA trade deal raises concerns on domestic access of generic drugs

Leaked IP chapter suggests potential hindrance to affordable medicine production

Updated On: 14 Feb 2024 | 11:54 PM IST

As many as 75,000 patents granted in last 10 months, says Piyush Goyal

The Indian Patent Office has granted a "record" 75,000 patents in the last 10 months and it reflects India's ability to innovate, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. Interacting with innovators and entrepreneurs on the eve of the 75th Republic Day here, the minister also said that 40,000 compliances have either been eliminated or simplified to ease the burden on entrepreneurs. "The Indian Patent Office has granted a record 75,000 patents in the last 10 months," he said, adding the government is making it easier to do business and make it less burdensome to meet the requirements of the law and comply with rules and procedures. There has been a significant push to reduce the burden of criminalisation of many laws regarding business in India and the Jan Vishwas law was the first step in that direction and gave the comfort to people and businessmen that the government trusts them, he said. "If you make a small mistake, you do not have to worry about criminal ...

Updated On: 26 Jan 2024 | 6:22 PM IST

India has potential to offer AI apps that can be used globally: Meity secy

India has the potential to create artificial intelligence models and applications that can be used across the world, especially in the Global South, a senior government official said on Thursday. While speaking at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit 2023, Ministry of Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said there is a need to develop more models, which are suited to the Global South and all other countries compared to existing models. He said that existing AI models are based on limited databases and therefore have their inherent biases. "This being the case, what India has the potential to do and what India has the potential to offer to the world is the possibility of developing AI models, developing AI applications, which can be used across the world, especially in the Global South," Krishnan said. He said whether it is in the area of agriculture, healthcare, education, or translation of languages, India has the potential to develop AI-based digita

Updated On: 14 Dec 2023 | 11:24 PM IST

Focus on design, IP creation key to India's rise as product nation: IT secy

Focus on design and creation of IP is crucial to India's ambitions as a product nation, IT Secretary S Krishnan on Thursday said, exhorting electronics products designers in the country to prioritise aspects such as inclusivity, aesthetics, and user experience in designing products for wider audiences. Design elements add substantial value to products, particularly in the electronics and digital space, Krishnan said while addressing the '23rd India Design Summit and Awards' organised by CII and World Design Organisation. Citing an example of just how important design elements are in the digital era, he said in case of a USD 1,000 iPhone, about USD 250 is paid to vendors while a substantial amount is retained by the designers in Cupertino. Referring to the Apple manufacturing ecosystem in India, he said, "Today, we are aiming that about 20-25 per cent at least of Apple iPhones are made in India at some point or the other, and if you look at the value addition which takes place in ...

Updated On: 14 Dec 2023 | 4:24 PM IST