New Delhi, June 15 (KNN) Intellectual Property Facilitation Councils (IPFCs) should concentrate on existing MSMEs and provide them complete bouquet of technical services, mentioned S N Tripathi, Development Commissioner, MSME at a recent review meeting of the Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres.

The IPFCs were established by Government and private bodies with the support from DC’s office, under the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme.

The core objective of setting up of the IPFCs was to make the MSMEs aware about the concept of the Intellectual Properties and their advantages.

FISME, the leading federation of MSMEs, operate three IPFCs at Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad respectively.

Tripathi, while reviewing the achievements of the IPFCs, opined that they should be converted to knowledge Resource Centres for MSMEs and serve the existing MSMEs in clusters.

A significant achievement of the IPFCs of FISME is to guide Meerut Scissors Cluster to register under the Geographical Indications or GI.

After registering under GI, the cluster can protect the renowned Meerut clusters from fake and duplicate products.

Under the existing IPFC programme, MSMEs are supported in searching and filing patents, Geographical Indications and availing other IPR related tools.

DC’s office also provide subsidy to MSMEs in patent filing and other charges.

To understand the exact status of the IPFC’s DC’s Office along with GIZ, the German Development Agency, conducted a study on the 31 existing IPFCs.

The study report was discussed by the stakeholders at a conference in Delhi recently.

From the indications given by the Development Commissioner, at the meeting, Government may be considering to merge all technology development programmes under one head, with the reoriented functioning as the delivery agent.

While an one stop shop for all technology related issues, will surely benefit the MSMEs, the Government should also not forget the need for promoting IPR support to MSMEs in a focused manner.

Many MSMEs are not aware about the sanctity of IPRs and often copy design, logo etc. of IPR holders, which may land them in serious trouble.

Already developed countries like U S A mention about the weak IPR protection environment in India and has put India on watch list, which if aggravate, may stop complete transfer of technology to Indian companies from these countries.

Also due to ignorance in identifying and protecting IPRs, Indian producers are losing out to foreign companies who are patenting Indian items as own and capturing global market.

And as MSMEs have little awareness about IPRs and also limited resources to invest in IPR protection, Government support in this regard should be continued in a focused manner. (KNN/ DB)