Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal Tuesday announced that all intellectual property (IP) registrations related to sports—including trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, traditional knowledge, and geographical indications—will be exempt from fees for a period of three years, effective immediately. The announcement was made while addressing the World Intellectual Property Day celebrations in New Delhi, themed “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!”.The waiver, as per a PIB statement, announced as a special drive to promote innovation in the sports ecosystem, will apply across all categories of IP. The Minister also directed that a notification be issued with immediate effect and highlighted that, in addition to the fee exemption, the government will extend facilitation support under existing schemes to assist innovators, students, artisans, and stakeholders in filing and securing IP rights, thereby easing their journey into the IP ecosystem.
The valedictory session of the programme featured the felicitation of the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy team by Piyush Goyal for their historic performance. The team was honoured for securing a landmark victory after 67 years, including a notable win against an eight-time champion team, Karnataka. The achievement was highlighted as a moment of pride, reflecting the growing sporting potential of Jammu and Kashmir and serving as an inspiration for young athletes across the region.
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The Minister noted that the development comes in the backdrop of sustained efforts by the Government to promote sports and create new opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted that increasing investments in infrastructure, coupled with expanding avenues in tourism and industry, are enabling greater participation of youth in diverse fields, including sports. The victory was described as a signal of renewed confidence and opportunity, with young athletes from the region expected to excel at national and international levels in the years ahead.
