SMEs to get Rs 55-crore IPR facilitator

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which have taken big strides in developing new products, can look forward to central assistance in securing intellectual property rights. The prospect of getting assistance is looking up with the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ministry offering a Rs 55-crore IPR-facilitation package for implementation over the next four years. For 2008-09, Rs 8 crore have been set aside out of the total allocation. Formed as part of the sector specific National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP), the package has been drawn up to facilitate adoption and implementation of IPR for new products developed by players in the sector. The fund size for the package has been worked out by the ministry after taking into account expenses for setting up facilitation centres, on publicity & training and creating a dedicated pool of IPR cadres for the sector. Plans are afoot to launch a nation-wide campaign in coming months to make SMEs aware and sensitise them about central assistance for securing IPRs on industrial design, geographical indication (GI), patents, copyrights and trademark. SMEs will be given hand-holding services in securing IPRs on various counts through special facilitation centres. Such centres are to be built and operated through special purpose vehicles which would be set up in association with industry bodies in public-private-partnership mode, a top ministry official said. By Ms.Bobby Aanand, Metropolitan Jury.

"Loved reading this piece by Ms. Bobby Anand?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group