Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) Scheme:
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently announced that IP facilitator charges have increased by almost 50% for patent filing under the SIPP scheme.
- For patents, the fee for application and filing has been increased to INR 15K from INR 10K.
- For trademarks and designs, the fee has been increased to INR 3K from INR 2K.
- SIPP scheme launched by Government of India, facilitates the start-ups to file applications for patents, designs and trademarks through registered facilitators in appropriate IP offices by paying only the statutory fees.
- Any Start-Up certified by the Start-up Certification Board as having an innovative business.
- For this purpose, Start-up means an entity, incorporated or registered in India not prior to seven years (in the case of Startups in the Biotechnology sector, the period shall be up to ten years), with annual turnover not exceeding INR 25 crores in any preceding financial year, working towards innovation, development, deployment or commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property.
- provided that such entity is not formed by splitting up, or reconstruction, of a business already in existence.
- provided also that an entity shall cease to be a Start-up if its turnover for the previous financial years has exceeded INR 25 crore or it has completed 7 years from the date of incorporation/registration.
- provided further that a Start-up shall be eligible for availing the benefits of this scheme only after it has obtained certification from the Start-up Certification Board.
- For effective implementation of the scheme, facilitators shall be empanelled by the Controller General of Patent, Trademark and Design (CGPDTM).
- The CGPDTM shall regulate conduct and functions of empanelled facilitators from time to time.
