Saurabh Gupta | 19 Jun, 2008
The Ministry of MSME has offered a package of Rs 55-crore IPR-facilitation for implementation of the scheme "Building Awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)" for the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) under NMCP.

"Ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) offers a package of a Rs 55-crore IPR-facilitation for implementation over the next four years,"  P K Sinha, Deputy Director, Development Commissioner (MSME) told SME Times.

"Formed as part of the sector specific National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP), the package has been drawn up to facilitate adoption and implementation of IPR for new products developed by players in the sector," said Sinha.

"In the changing global scenario, the issues of IPR have gained special importance for the MSME sector. IPR protection plays a key role in gaining competitive advantage in terms of technological gains for achieving higher economic growth in a market driven economy. It is felt that IPR requires greater understanding and attention by the industry, particularly the MSME sector in India."
         
"The Indian MSME sector needs more information, orientation and facilities for protecting their intellectual powers. While majority of the countries have adopted strategies for implementing strong IPR protection for strengthening their industries and trades Indian industries, particularly the MSME are lagging behind in recognizing the importance of IPR and adopting IPR as a business strategy for enhancing competitiveness," he added.
        
The objective is to enhance awareness of MSME about Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) to take measure for the protecting their ideas and business strategies. Effective utilisation of IPR tools by MSMEs would also assist them in technology up-gradation and enhancing competitiveness.

The fund size for the package has been worked out by the ministry after taking into account expenses for setting up facilitation centres, on publicity & training and creating a dedicated pool of IPR cadres for the sector, a top ministry official earlier added.