Intellectual Property Rights & Innovation

India’s intellectual property ecosystem is becoming increasingly central to the country’s transition towards a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy. As industries across sectors move towards technology-intensive growth, intellectual property rights (IPR) are no longer limited to legal protection alone — they are emerging as strategic assets that shape competitiveness, innovation, investment, and global market positioning. Patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and trade secrets today influence how companies protect innovation, build brands, commercialise technology, and create long-term enterprise value.

India’s innovation landscape has expanded significantly in recent years. The country has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, while sectors such as deeptech, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, electronics, mobility, clean energy, biotechnology, and digital services are witnessing rising indigenous innovation activity. Patent filings in India have increased steadily, reflecting growing research and entrepreneurial activity. At the same time, Indian businesses — particularly MSMEs and emerging enterprises — continue to face challenges in strategically leveraging intellectual property for commercial growth, technology protection, licensing, exports, and international expansion.

The growing importance of intellectual property is also closely linked to global trade and technology competition. International markets increasingly demand stronger protection frameworks, compliance systems, and technology governance standards. Issues such as AI-generated content, technology transfer, standard-essential patents, data ownership, cross-border enforcement, and digital innovation are reshaping the global IPR landscape. For Indian businesses competing internationally, strong intellectual property strategies are becoming critical to protecting brands, securing technology advantages, attracting investment, and accessing global markets.

The economic potential of intellectual property is substantial. Globally, intangible assets account for a major share of corporate value creation across sectors. Countries that lead in innovation ecosystems, patent ownership, research commercialisation, and technology development increasingly shape global industrial leadership. For India, strengthening the intellectual property ecosystem can accelerate innovation-led growth, support startup ecosystems, enhance export competitiveness, encourage research commercialisation, and strengthen the country’s position in emerging technology sectors.

India also stands at an important strategic moment in its innovation journey. Government initiatives supporting startups, digital transformation, manufacturing expansion, deeptech innovation, and research ecosystems are creating new opportunities for intellectual property creation and commercialisation. However, stronger collaboration between industry, innovators, legal experts, policymakers, investors, and research institutions remains essential to building a more robust and globally competitive IPR ecosystem.

The Expert Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights seeks to create a collaborative platform that brings together stakeholders across industry, innovation, law, technology, and policy to strengthen conversations around intellectual property, innovation strategy, and knowledge-led competitiveness. The Working Group aims to encourage strategic dialogue, ecosystem collaboration, policy engagement, and knowledge-sharing that supports India’s long-term innovation and economic ambitions.

Guiding Principles of the Working Group

Innovation Leadership – Encourage innovation-driven growth, technology development, and intellectual property creation across sectors.

Collaboration – Foster engagement between industry, innovators, legal experts, policymakers, research institutions, and technology stakeholders.

Strategic Competitiveness – Promote intellectual property as a strategic driver of business growth, exports, and global market positioning.

Knowledge & Awareness – Strengthen understanding of intellectual property across businesses, startups, and innovation ecosystems.

Commercialisation & Value Creation – Support discussions around technology transfer, licensing, research commercialisation, and innovation-led enterprise value.

Global Outlook – Encourage alignment with evolving international intellectual property frameworks, technology ecosystems, and global innovation trends.