C-DoT to handle telecommunication IP rights and patents in India

The Indian government has appointed the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) as the nodal facilitation agency to handle telecommunication intellectual property rights (IPRs) and patents.

C-DoT, the research and development wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), will act as a facilitator for negotiations related to standard essential patents (SEPs) without assuming any financial liability.

The government has instructed C-DoT to offer support and guidance to startups, MSMEs, and research entities in converting their innovations into IPRs and transforming research into commercially viable products. As part of an R&D collective, C-DoT will manage IPRs/SEPs on behalf of the Indian R&D ecosystem and engage with both domestic and global IPR licensors.

C-DoT will represent Indian technology entities in IPRs/SEPs related engagements and be responsible for developing, hosting, and maintaining the repository of Indian telecom IPRs/SEPs. This will involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including TEC, global and regional standard development organizations, academia, and industry.

To ensure effective implementation, the government notification suggests that C-DoT may engage professional IPR-technical and legal counsels, and strengthen its IPR resources.

These initiatives align with the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) goals, which focus on fostering next-generation technologies and services through investments, innovation, and IPR development. The policy aims to establish internationally recognized IPRs in India, promote SEPs in digital communication technologies, and encourage Indian IPRs through international collaborations.

CT Bureau