Newsletter - India IP SME Helpdesk

Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – and the Republic of India recently signed a comprehensive Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). The signing of this agreement represents a significant milestone in the relationship between the EFTA States and India. It signifies the culmination of dedicated efforts to promote a deeper economic partnership, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding.

The number of geographical indications (GI) registered products in India has surpassed 600, with Uttar Pradesh leading the list with 69 products. Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, stands out with the highest number of products bearing GI tags from a single geographical location. According to the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), the total number of Indian products granted GI Tags as of 31 March 2024, is 635.

Government officials have expressed reliance on start-ups and academia to drive the generation of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the telecommunications sector, particularly focusing on next-generation technologies like quantum communications, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. According to reports, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is encouraging multinational companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, and Qualcomm to engage in collaborations with university institutions to develop new technologies.

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023, intended to replace the Cinematograph Act of 1952, has cleared both houses of parliament and is awaiting formal notification. The bill seeks to modernize regulations governing film certification, exhibition, and censorship in India, addressing issues like digital piracy and copyright infringement in the online domain, which have affected the film industry.

IFAT Munich 2024 – the world's leading trade fair for Water, Sewage, Waste and Raw Materials Management – brings together the most important international industry representatives from politics, business, and science, and offers exciting ideas and innovative solutions for industrial and municipal challenges. The India IP SME Helpdesk team will be present at the event to raise awareness of the importance of intellectual property protection when venturing into international markets and introduce the EU funded services available for European small and medium enterprises, start-ups and Business Support Organisations.