The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is the central government ministry responsible for formulating policies and programmes for the MSME sector in India. It administers several schemes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, livelihood creation, and enterprise…
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
IP refers to creations of the mind — inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce.
What are the types of Intellectual Property Rights?
Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Geographical Indications, and Trade Secrets. Patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications are collectively referred to as Industrial property.
What is a patent?
An exclusive right granted for an invention — a product or process providing a new way of doing something or a new technical solution to a problem, subject to patentability conditions.
What are the benefits of patent registration?
Exclusive right to use/exploit the invention for 20 years from the filing date; stronger market position by preventing others from commercially using the patented invention; higher returns on investment; opportunity to license or sell the invention; positive enterprise image.
What is Copyright?
Legal rights given to creators for literary and artistic works (novels, poems, plays, newspapers, computer programs, databases, films, music, paintings, photographs, architecture, maps, technical drawings, etc.). Protection lasts for the life of the author plus 60 years (other than photographs).
What is a Trademark?
A distinctive sign identifying goods or services as produced/provided by a specific person or enterprise.
How to apply for the Patent/GI/Trademark/Design reimbursement?
Apply online via https://innovative.msme.gov.in/Home/IprIndex.
Is there a centre to support counselling/drafting/filing of IP rights?
Yes — the Ministry of MSME has set up Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) for this purpose, which also route the reimbursement benefits.
What documents are required for the application?
Applicants must provide their Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum (UAM) or Udyam Registration (UR) certificate, along with the UAM-registered mobile number for validation.
Quick Answer
This scheme offers reimbursement for intellectual property (IP) filing fees, including patents, trademarks, GIs, and designs, to eligible Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
The "Intellectual Property Right Scheme" operates under the broader "MSME Innovative Scheme," spearheaded by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. This pivotal initiative is designed to bolster India's innovation ecosystem by empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to secure and leverage their intellectual property (IP). The scheme provides crucial legal and intellectual property filing support for various IP types, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, and geographical indications (GI). Beyond just financial assistance, the program establishes a robust support system through a nationwide network of Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs). These centres offer comprehensive IP advisory services, detailed consultations, in-depth patentability searches, technology gap analyses, and strategic support for IP commercialization. This holistic approach aims to cultivate a culture of innovation among Indian MSMEs, enabling them to protect their creative endeavours and transform knowledge-driven business strategies into tangible economic value. The establishment of these IPFCs is facilitated by a significant government grant of up to ₹1,00,00,000 per centre, ensuring they are well-equipped to serve MSMEs effectively. This grant is provided to the institutions running the IPFCs and not directly to individual MSMEs, serving as the foundational support for the reimbursement mechanism.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Create a free account to view.
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
While the document does not explicitly detail a "selection process" in the typical sense of a competitive grant, for a reimbursement scheme, the process involves verification of eligibility and the validity of the IP filing. Applications submitted online are typically reviewed by the Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) for compliance with scheme guidelines and the authenticity of the IP registration documents. Reimbursement is usually processed upon successful verification of the registration and associated costs, often on a first-come, first-served basis within allocated budgets.
Benefits & Funding
Amount
₹15,000 – ₹5 Lakhs
What You Get
This scheme offers significant financial assistance to eligible MSMEs by reimbursing the costs associated with intellectual property registration. Beneficiaries can receive up to ₹5,000,000 for foreign patent registrations, up to ₹100,000 for domestic patent registrations, up to ₹200,000 for Geographical Indication (GI) registrations, and up to ₹15,000 for design registrations. This reimbursement mechanism alleviates the financial burden of protecting valuable innovations. In addition to direct financial support, the scheme provides extensive non-financial benefits through a network of Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs). These centres offer expert IP advisory, consultation services, assistance with patentability searches, guidance on technology gap analyses, and strategic support for the commercialization and effective utilization of IPR tools, ensuring MSMEs can navigate the complex IP landscape with confidence.
