Intellectual Property| NextEra Policy

Few indicators capture the story of a nation's innovation journey as powerfully as its intellectual property activity. Every patent application reflects a new idea seeking protection. Every trademark represents a business building trust and brand value. Every copyright embodies creative effort transformed into economic opportunity. Together, intellectual property rights form the foundation of modern innovation economies, influencing investment decisions, technological progress, entrepreneurship, and long term economic competitiveness.

India's intellectual property ecosystem has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade. What was once viewed primarily as a compliance or legal function is now increasingly recognised as a strategic driver of innovation and economic growth. The evidence is visible across the country's intellectual property landscape. India recorded nearly 7.5 lakh intellectual property filings in FY 2024-25, representing a significant increase over previous years. Patent applications crossed 75,000, with Indian residents accounting for more than 61 percent of filings, a powerful indication that innovation in India is increasingly being driven by Indian innovators themselves.

This progress reflects a broader national ambition. Intellectual property protection has become an integral component of India's innovation and manufacturing agenda. The Government of India has consistently emphasised the importance of innovation led growth, while initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, Digital India, and the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy have helped create an environment where innovation is increasingly encouraged, protected, and commercialised. The importance of intellectual property is reflected even within the vision of Make in India, which explicitly identifies the protection of intellectual property as a key pillar for fostering innovation and investment.

The momentum is visible across sectors and geographies. States such as Gujarat and Telangana have witnessed rapid growth in patent filings, driven by stronger innovation ecosystems, improved awareness, and deeper collaboration between academia, industry, and government. Emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, digital platforms, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gaming, artificial intelligence, and creator driven industries are all contributing to a rapidly expanding intellectual property landscape.

Yet the story of intellectual property is not merely one of numbers. As innovation accelerates, new questions are emerging just as quickly. Artificial intelligence is challenging traditional concepts of authorship and ownership. Startups and MSMEs continue to seek greater support in protecting and commercialising their innovations. Researchers and universities are exploring more effective pathways for technology transfer. Industries continue to grapple with counterfeiting, piracy, enforcement challenges, and the need for faster commercialisation of intellectual assets. These are not isolated legal issues. They are fundamental questions that will influence India's ability to compete in a knowledge driven global economy.

This is where proactive policy engagement becomes essential. Strong intellectual property ecosystems are built not only through legislation and enforcement, but through continuous dialogue between innovators, businesses, creators, researchers, policymakers, regulators, and civil society. Effective intellectual property frameworks must encourage innovation, attract investment, facilitate technology transfer, support entrepreneurship, and balance broader public interest objectives.

NextEra Policy works at this critical intersection. We believe intellectual property is not simply a legal right. It is an economic asset, an innovation enabler, and a strategic pillar of India's future growth story. Through research, stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, and collaborative dialogue, we work to strengthen the intellectual property ecosystem and contribute to policy frameworks that encourage innovation, creativity, investment, and long term competitiveness.

The NextEra Policy Committee on Intellectual Property is dedicated to strengthening India's innovation ecosystem through informed, forward looking, and proactive policy engagement. The Committee serves as a platform for innovators, businesses, startups, creators, researchers, legal professionals, academic institutions, and policymakers to collaboratively shape the intellectual property frameworks that will influence India's economic and technological future.

At its core, the Committee exists to ensure that intellectual property policy discussions are not limited to responding to challenges after they emerge. While traditional policy engagement often focuses on reacting to regulatory developments, the Committee believes that the most effective policy interventions begin much earlier. By continuously studying intellectual property trends, regulatory developments, judicial decisions, and innovation policies across major jurisdictions around the world, the Committee seeks to identify emerging opportunities, potential risks, and future policy questions before they become pressing challenges for Indian stakeholders.

The Committee actively monitors developments across leading innovation economies, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and other key jurisdictions. Whether it is the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and copyright, new approaches to patent eligibility, developments in technology transfer frameworks, the protection of trade secrets, or emerging debates surrounding data and intellectual property, the Committee seeks to understand how global developments may shape India's future policy landscape.

This proactive approach allows the Committee to move beyond conventional advocacy. Through research papers, policy briefs, stakeholder consultations, industry roundtables, and structured engagement with government, the Committee works to develop informed recommendations that not only address existing concerns but also prepare stakeholders for the opportunities and disruptions that lie ahead.

The Committee also seeks to strengthen the broader intellectual property ecosystem by encouraging dialogue between industry, government, academia, startups, investors, creators, and research institutions. Many of the most important intellectual property challenges today exist at the intersection of technology, innovation, commerce, and regulation. Addressing them effectively requires collaboration across disciplines and sectors, something the Committee actively strives to facilitate.

Equally important is the Committee's commitment to ensuring that intellectual property remains central to India's innovation and economic development agenda. Through publications, media engagement, knowledge initiatives, and stakeholder outreach, the Committee works to promote a deeper understanding of the role intellectual property plays in encouraging investment, supporting entrepreneurship, protecting creativity, facilitating technology transfer, and strengthening global competitiveness.

As India continues its transition towards becoming a global innovation leader, the Committee remains committed to helping shape the policy environment that will define the next generation of innovation. The objective is not merely to respond to change, but to anticipate it, understand it, and help shape it in ways that benefit innovators, businesses, creators, and society as a whole.

The NextEra Policy Committee on Intellectual Property warmly welcomes new members at all times. If you believe in the power of innovation, informed policy engagement, and collective action to strengthen India's intellectual property ecosystem, we would be delighted to have you join us on this journey.

1. What is the NextEra Policy Committee on Intellectual Property?

The NextEra Policy Committee on Intellectual Property is a dedicated platform that brings together innovators, businesses, startups, creators, researchers, legal professionals, academic institutions, and policymakers to engage on issues shaping India's intellectual property ecosystem. The Committee works to promote informed policy discussions, develop evidence based recommendations, and contribute to a stronger innovation environment for the country.

2. Who can join the Committee?

The Committee welcomes anyone with a meaningful interest in intellectual property, innovation, and policy. This includes startups, corporations, law firms, universities, research institutions, technology companies, creators, industry associations, consultants, policy professionals, and individual experts who wish to contribute to the future of India's intellectual property landscape.

3. Do I need to be an intellectual property expert to become a member?

Not at all. Some of the most valuable insights come from entrepreneurs, innovators, creators, researchers, and business leaders who interact with intellectual property as part of their day to day work. The Committee values practical experience and diverse perspectives just as much as technical expertise.

4. What will I gain as a member of the Committee?

As a member, you will have access to a network of industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, researchers, and intellectual property professionals. You will be able to contribute to policy discussions, participate in consultations and roundtables, engage with research initiatives, stay informed about emerging developments, and help shape recommendations that influence the intellectual property ecosystem.

5. What makes the Committee different from other organisations working in the intellectual property space?

Many organisations focus on responding to policy developments after they occur. The NextEra Policy Committee on Intellectual Property places significant emphasis on proactive policy engagement. By continuously studying global intellectual property developments, emerging technologies, regulatory trends, and innovation policies across major jurisdictions, the Committee seeks to identify opportunities and challenges before they become pressing issues in India. Our objective is not only to respond to change, but to help anticipate and shape it.

6. What areas of intellectual property does the Committee focus on?

The Committee covers a broad range of issues including patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, geographical indications, trade secrets, technology transfer, commercialisation of innovation, counterfeiting, piracy, artificial intelligence and intellectual property, digital economy issues, and emerging global regulatory developments.

7. Does the Committee provide patent, trademark, or copyright filing services?

No. The Committee is not a filing or prosecution service provider. Its primary focus is policy advocacy, research, stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and ecosystem development. However, members benefit from discussions and insights that help them better understand the evolving intellectual property landscape.

8. How does the Committee engage with government and policymakers?

The Committee develops research papers, policy briefs, consultation responses, and stakeholder recommendations on key intellectual property issues. It also facilitates dialogue with relevant ministries, government departments, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders to ensure that informed industry perspectives are considered in policy discussions.

9. Why is intellectual property policy important for businesses and innovators?

Intellectual property policy directly influences innovation, investment, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, brand protection, research and development, and market competitiveness. Well designed intellectual property frameworks create confidence for innovators and investors while encouraging creativity, commercialisation, and economic growth.

10. How much time commitment does membership require?

The Committee is designed to be flexible and accessible. Members can participate in meetings, consultations, working groups, events, and research initiatives based on their interests and availability. There is no rigid time commitment, allowing members to engage at a level that suits their professional schedules.

11. Will my inputs and contributions actually influence policy discussions?

Yes. A core objective of the Committee is to ensure that stakeholder perspectives are translated into meaningful policy engagement. Member inputs help shape research papers, recommendations, consultation submissions, and policy positions that are shared with relevant stakeholders and decision makers.

12. How can I become a member or learn more?

Getting started is simple. Reach out to us and we will guide you through the membership process, answer any questions you may have, and help you identify the best way to get involved.

For details, please write to us at director@nexterapolicy.in or fill in the membership form and a member of our team will get in touch with you shortly.