Legal Support and Fast-tracking Patent Examination at Lower Costs
Legal Support and Fast-tracking Patent Examination at Lower Costs
India has been witnessing rapid growth in the startup ecosystem over the past few years. According to a report by Nasscom, India ranks third globally in the number of startups, with over 50,000 startups in the country. With such a large number of startups, it is important for entrepreneurs to protect their innovative ideas through patents. However, the process of obtaining a patent can be lengthy and expensive, especially for startups with limited resources. This is where Startup India comes in, providing legal support and fast-tracking patent examination at lower costs to startups in the country.
Startup India Intellectual Property Facilitation Scheme:
The Startup India Intellectual Property Facilitation Scheme is a scheme launched by the Government of India to provide startups with access to free legal support for filing and prosecuting patents, trademarks, and designs. Under this scheme, startups can avail themselves of services such as patent drafting, filing, and prosecution at no cost. The scheme also offers expedited examination of patent applications at a reduced fee of INR 8,000 for individuals and INR 25,000 for entities other than individuals. Startups can apply for the scheme online through the Startup India website.
Expedited Examination Procedure:
The Indian Patent Office offers expedited examination of patent applications under certain circumstances. Startups can request expedited examination by providing evidence that they have received funding from a recognized investor or accelerator. This can help startups obtain a patent quickly and efficiently, without having to wait for the standard examination process. The expedited examination procedure can help startups to save time and money and can also give them a competitive advantage in the market.
Patent Prosecution Highway Program:
The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program allows a patent applicant who has been successful in obtaining a patent in one jurisdiction to fast-track examination in another jurisdiction. India has bilateral PPH agreements with several countries, including Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Startups can use the PPH program to fast-track examination of their patent applications in India if they have already obtained a patent in one of these countries. This can help startups to obtain a patent quickly and efficiently, without having to go through the standard examination process.
Patent Drafting Services:
Patent drafting services can help startups to draft patent applications at a lower cost than hiring a patent attorney. Patent drafting services can be especially helpful for startups with limited resources, as they can provide high-quality work at a fraction of the cost of hiring a patent attorney. However, it is important to ensure that the service you choose is reputable and provides high-quality work. NeuSource Startup Minds India Ltd. provides patent drafting services to startups in India, helping them to protect their innovative ideas at a lower cost.
Patent Search:
Conducting a patent search before filing a patent application can help startups to identify potential issues and save time and money in the long run. The Indian Patent Office provides a free patent search tool that startups can use to conduct a preliminary search. This can help startups to identify prior art and avoid filing a patent application for an idea that has already been patented. A patent search can also help startups to identify potential infringers and take appropriate action to protect their intellectual property.
Conclusion:
Startups in India can benefit from the various initiatives and resources provided by Startup India to protect their intellectual property. The Intellectual Property Facilitation Scheme, expedited examination procedure, Patent Prosecution Highway program, patent drafting services, and patent search tool are all valuable resources that can help startups to protect their innovative ideas at a lower cost. By taking advantage of these resources and carefully considering their options, startups in India can increase their chances of obtaining a valuable patent while minimizing costs. NeuSource Startup Minds India Ltd. is committed to helping startups in India to protect their intellectual property and grow their businesses.
05
Aug
Santosh Dantani
To start a new business is easy, but to make it successful is difficult . So For success, choose the best." Be compliant and proactive from the beginning and choose NEUSOURCE as your guidance partner.