New Delhi, June 7 (KNN) To enhance the awareness of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) amongst the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to encourage creative intellectual endeavour in Indian economy, the Development Commissioner (DC-MSME) has issued guidelines on ‘Implementation of the Scheme Building Awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for MSMEs’.

NMIU will be responsible for facilitating, implementation and monitoring of the scheme. It will monitor every stage of the program, on behalf of the Development Commissioner (MSME).

As per the guidelines, for reimbursement of actual costs or expenses incurred towards registration of Patents or Trademarks, from the Office of Development Commissioner (MSME), Ministry of MSME, Government of India, the applicant/entity/unit must have a valid Udyog Aadhar/UAM and registered at MSME- Data bank. Patents/Trademarks filled/registered in the name of individuals are also eligible for reimbursement subject to holding a valid Udyog Aadhar/UAM.

For reimbursement of actual costs or expenses incurred towards registration of GI, the agency, institutions, associations, Institutes, non-profit bodies, NGOs, societies, trusts, or similar other non-commercial bodies, other entity which might not have Udyog Aadhar, should provide relevant incorporation/establishment documents, PAN number of entity.

Applicants can apply for reimbursements through online portal of MSME i.e. MY.MSME.GOV.IN by furnishing all the relevant details and uploading the necessary supporting documents, according to the guidelines.

All application received through online portal will be allocated to the concerned implementing agency for scrutiny, approval and release of funds to reimburse the expenditure incurred towards grant of patent, Trademarks & Geographical Indications.

In case of disputes, such cases may be forwarded to the Office of Development Commissioner for seeking any relaxation on the basis of merit of the case, if required, it added.

Under this scheme, IP Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) will provide support and facilities for searching/mapping etc. for IPRs including evaluation for possibility of registration for patents, industrial designs, trademarks, etc.

In addition, it will provide basic information and support about filing an IP application for grant/registration of patent, GI, industrial design, trademarks, copyright, PVP etc.; to facilitate IPR transfer and commercialization of technologies; to facilitate collaboration with potential clients for exploring possibilities for technology tie-ups and upscaling needs of any business enterprise and to provide and disseminate information on best IPR practices.

These Centres are supposed to work in close association with the National Patent Offices/Regional Patent Offices and other National/International Agencies administering the implementation of IPR related matters, read the guidelines.

The Government of India will provide a total financial grant-in-aid support of maximum up to Rs 100 Lakhs to each approved centre; the grant for establishing these centres will be spread over a period of five years. The implementing agency will have to contribute at least 10% of the total project cost from its own or other sources. However, no contribution is required for MSME-DIs/Br. DIs, if activity is implemented by them.

While setting up of these centres, no liability will be created for the Government of India, it added.

These centres shall create their own funding mechanism during this period with a view to become financially sustainable over a period of time.

Each IPFC has to form a steering committee. Meeting of the steering committee should be organized in every three months and performance of IPFC should be evaluated.

In the event of failing to comply with the conditions of the guidelines or committing breach of the conditions of the sanction, the IPFC shall be jointly and severally liable to refund to the President of India, the whole or a part amount of the grant with penal interest.

For Complete Guidelines:

http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/schemes/Draft%20Guidelines%20IPR%2004.04.2019.pdf