The government has introduced many plans for startups to facilitate the filing of patents, trademarks and designs. The plan involves fast-track examination of patent applications and a reduction in fees. The Central Government carries the fees of the facilitators for patents, trademarks or designs that a startup may file and they only have to carry the cost of the statutory fees under the plan.

As per report, 179 applications have been received and up to 80% reduction in patent fees and free legal assistance has been provided and also 32 startups have made a request for expedited examination (Form 18(A)) whereas, Trademark facilitation has been extended to 52 startups under the  plan. Now the government has announced the plan has been extended for the next three years up to the year 2020.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has made the definition for startup. A startup should satisfy the following criteria,

• The company formation date is under 5 years.
• The company’s turnover for any of the financial years has not exceeded ₹25 Crore .
• The company must be working towards innovation, development, deployment, or commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property.

The Author is a Patent Consultant from MR Technollect Solutions (www.MRTechnollect.com).