Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics and Information Technology (SIP-EIT), History, Motives, Eligibility, Funding Support

The Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics and Information Technology (SIP–EIT) is an initiative by the Government of India to encourage Indian startups and innovators to protect their intellectual property internationally. Recognizing the high costs and complexities involved in filing patents abroad, the scheme provides financial assistance for international patent applications in electronics, IT, and related sectors.

SIP-EIT aims to enhance global competitiveness, technological innovation, and market access for Indian innovators. By reducing financial barriers, the program enables startups to secure intellectual property rights in multiple countries, safeguarding their inventions from imitation and supporting commercialization. It also encourages research and development, promotes a culture of innovation, and increases investor confidence in IP-driven businesses.

History of SIP-EIT:

The Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics and Information Technology (SIP-EIT) was launched by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Government of India, to assist Indian innovators in securing international patents in the electronics and IT sectors. The scheme was introduced in response to the growing recognition that intellectual property (IP) is a critical driver of innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth.

Historically, Indian startups and technology enterprises faced significant barriers in filing patents abroad, including high costs, complex procedures, and limited awareness of international IP systems. Many innovations remained unprotected internationally, making them vulnerable to replication and restricting global market opportunities. To address this, SIP-EIT was established to provide financial support for patent filing fees, attorney charges, and associated costs for filing patents in leading IP jurisdictions, such as the United States, Europe, and Japan.

The scheme specifically targeted electronics and IT startups, recognizing these sectors as critical for India’s digital economy and global technology leadership. SIP-EIT not only reduced the financial burden on innovators but also encouraged research and development, commercialization, and global market expansion. By enabling international patent protection, the initiative strengthened investor confidence, promoted technology-driven entrepreneurship, and helped India build a robust IP ecosystem aligned with global standards.

Motives behind SIP-EIT:

• To Foster Innovation and Global Competitiveness in E&IT

The primary motive of SIP-EIT is to stimulate indigenous innovation within the Electronics and Information Technology (E&IT) sector. By providing financial support for international patent filings, the scheme empowers Indian startups, MSMEs, and educational institutions to protect their intellectual property on a global scale. This encourages the development of cutting-edge, patentable technologies, moving Indian firms from being mere implementers to becoming creators and owners of core technology. This enhances their global standing, allows them to compete internationally, and establishes India as a hub for high-value E&IT innovation.

• To Reduce the Financial Burden of International Patent Filing

International patent protection, under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), is a complex and expensive process involving high costs for filing, prosecution, and legal fees. This financial barrier often deters resource-constrained Indian entities from seeking global IP protection. The SIP-EIT scheme directly addresses this by offering financial grants, significantly reducing the out-of-pocket expenses for applicants. By lowering this critical cost barrier, the scheme ensures that a lack of funds does not prevent a worthy Indian innovation from securing international patent rights, thereby democratizing access to global IP systems.

• To Enhance the Commercial Value of Indian R&D and Technology

A key motive is to translate Indian research and development into commercially valuable assets. An international patent is not just a legal right; it is a business tool that increases a company’s valuation, attracts investment, and opens revenue streams through licensing or technology transfer. By supporting patent filings, SIP-EIT helps Indian entities build a robust IP portfolio, making them more attractive to venture capitalists and global partners. This facilitates the commercialization of R&D, ensuring that technological breakthroughs can be monetized and lead to the creation of marketable products and services.

• To Build a Strong Domestic IP Ecosystem and Culture

The scheme aims to systematically strengthen India’s overall intellectual property ecosystem. It raises awareness about the strategic importance of IP rights among Indian innovators in the critical E&IT sector. By incentivizing and guiding applicants through the complex international patenting process, SIP-EIT fosters a deeper culture of IP creation and protection. This long-term motive is to create a generation of IP-savvy entrepreneurs and researchers who proactively use patents as a strategic business asset, leading to a more innovative, knowledge-based, and self-reliant Indian economy.

Eligibility of SIP-EIT:

The SIP-EIT scheme is designed for Indian startups, technology-based SMEs, and individual innovators in the electronics and IT sectors. Applicants must be registered in India and demonstrate ownership of the invention or application for the patent. The scheme supports inventions that are novel, non-obvious, and applicable internationally, ensuring alignment with global patent standards. Eligible applicants must provide documentation of patent filing in India before applying for international protection. The scheme prioritizes startups and innovators with potential for commercialization and technological impact, aiming to enhance global competitiveness and strengthen India’s intellectual property ecosystem.

Funding Support of SIP-EIT:

The Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics and Information Technology (SIP-EIT) provides financial assistance to Indian startups, SMEs, and individual innovators to offset the high costs of filing and protecting patents internationally. The scheme covers expenses related to patent filing, patent attorney fees, translation costs, official fees in foreign patent offices, and other associated administrative costs. This ensures that financial constraints do not prevent innovative Indian technologies from obtaining global protection.

Under SIP-EIT, the government typically reimburses a significant portion of patent-related expenses, making international filing accessible to smaller enterprises and startups that may otherwise struggle with the high costs. Eligible applicants must first file a patent application in India and then apply for international protection under mechanisms such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or direct national filings in countries like the USA, Europe, Japan, and others.

Funding support under SIP-EIT not only reduces financial barriers but also encourages startups to invest in research and development, focus on commercialization, and safeguard their innovations globally. By facilitating international patent protection, the scheme strengthens investor confidence, promotes technological competitiveness, and positions Indian electronics and IT ventures on the global innovation map, fostering sustainable economic growth and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.