Context: 

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently released its World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) Report 2024.

Key Highlights of the WIPI Report 2024:

Global Growth in IP Filings: In 2023, 3.55 million patent applications were filed worldwide, representing a 2.7% increase as compared to 2022.

• This growth was primarily driven by the leading economies viz. China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and India.

India’s Performance:  

• Patents:  India now ranks 6th globally in terms of patent applications, with 64,480 patent filings in 2023.
• This puts India among the leading nations, including China, the United States, Japan, and South Korea, in terms of intellectual property activity.
• Trademarks: India ranked 4th globally in trademark filings, registering a 6.1% growth in 2023. Nearly 90% of these filings were submitted by domestic residents.  
• Industrial Designs: India witnessed a 36.4% increase in industrial design applications, reflecting robust growth in sectors such as textiles, tools, and health.

Resident Filings Lead: For the first time in history, more than half (55.2%) of India’s patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents of India which marks a significant milestone.

• This demonstrates India’s increasing domestic innovation capabilities, with Indian companies, and universities now playing a major role in generating new technologies and intellectual property.

Patent Grants:  In India, there is a surge (increase) in the number of patents granted by 149.4% in 2023 compared to 2022. These patent grants are helpful to the country’s evolving IPR system.

Sectoral Contributions: The largest proportion of trademark filings in India came from sectors such as Health (21.9%), Agriculture (15.3%), and Clothing (12.8%).

• These largest shares highlighted India’s leadership in various areas such as food production, pharmaceuticals and fashion.

Patent-to-GDP Ratio: India's patent-to-GDP ratio (a measure of the economic impact of patent activity) grew significantly, from 144 in 2013 to 381 in 2023.

• Therefore, this leads to a higher patent-to-GDP ratio seen as a sign of a knowledge-driven economy, where innovation and intellectual property play a central role in economic development.

About India’s progress in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024:  

• India ranked 39th among 133 global economies which marks a remarkable improvement from its 81st position in 2015.
• India has made substantial progress in innovation outputs, ranking 33rd globally in this category. The nation excels in intangible asset intensity, securing 7th place worldwide.  
• Additionally, India ranks 4th in WIPO’s Science & Technology (S&T) Cluster Ranking, with cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai featuring among the top 100 S&T clusters globally.

Key Concerns in India's IPR Regime:

• Patent Backlog and Delays: A significant challenge is the backlog of patent applications and the extended processing time. This can impede innovation and discourage inventors from filing patents in India.  
• Enforcement of IPR: While India has robust IPR laws, their enforcement remains inconsistent at the ground level. Issues like piracy and counterfeiting persist due to weak implementation mechanisms.  
• Balancing Protection and Public Access: Striking a balance between protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring public access to essential goods, such as medicines, remains a critical concern.  

Government Initiatives:

• Policy and Missions: The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, the National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM), the Atal Innovation Mission, Startup India, etc. have significantly fostered an innovation-friendly environment.
• IP Commercialization: The establishment of Technology Innovation Support Centres (TISC) in universities has facilitated IP filings and promoted the commercialization of patents and other intellectual property.  
• SPRIHA Scheme: The Scheme for Pedagogy & Research in IPRs for Holistic Education and Academia (SPRIHA) integrates IPR education into higher learning institutions.

Conclusion:

• A robust IPR framework is vital for fostering innovation and creativity. By protecting the rights of creators and inventors, India can ensure sustained economic and cultural growth.  
• Greater awareness and education about IPR are needed, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the general public.  
• To remain globally competitive, India must continuously update its IPR policies to align with international standards. This includes active participation in global IPR treaties and agreements.