CCEA approves modernisation of IP offices

New Delhi, July 2 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Wednesday approved the continuation of the scheme to modernise and strengthen Intellectual Property (IP) offices during the 12th Plan period (2012-17), entailing an overall project cost of Rs.309.6 crore, an official release said here.

Out of the total project cost, Rs.258 crore will be spent during the 12th Plan and Rs.51.6 crore in the 13th Plan.

In the 12th Plan, the focus would be on enhancement of human resources, upgradation of IT and database, construction of buildings, improvement in library facilities and sensitization and awareness creation on Intellectual Property Right matters.

The growing importance of intellectual property in a globalized economic environment has placed greater demand on the IP institutional structure, said the release.

The implementation of the scheme will strengthen the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) and address the increase in the number of fillings of IP applications.