Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday announced a three-year fee waiver for all intellectual property (IP) registrations related to sports, in a major move aimed at boosting innovation and strengthening India’s sports ecosystem.
The announcement was made during the World Intellectual Property Day celebrations in New Delhi, themed “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!”. The waiver applies to a wide range of IP categories, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, designs, traditional knowledge and geographical indications, and will come into effect immediately.
Goyal said the initiative is intended to encourage innovators, students, artisans and other stakeholders to convert ideas into protected IP assets, adding that the government will also provide facilitation support under existing schemes to ease the process of filing and securing IP rights.
Highlighting India’s craftsmanship and IP potential, the minister pointed to the GI-tagged Kashmir willow cricket bat as a symbol of the country’s traditional expertise and innovation strength, urging its promotion in global markets.
During the event, Goyal also felicitated the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy team for their historic performance, including a landmark victory over eight-time champions Karnataka cricket team. He described the achievement as a reflection of the growing sporting potential of the region and an inspiration for young athletes.
Emphasising the economic significance of sports, the minister called for the development of sports manufacturing clusters in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir and Meerut, highlighting their potential to emerge as key hubs for sports goods production. He stressed the need to boost domestic manufacturing of equipment such as bats, balls and training gear to strengthen local value chains.
Goyal also urged stakeholders to adopt the principle of “innovate, patent, produce and prosper” to leverage emerging global opportunities, citing India’s expanding network of trade agreements, including the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
In a bid to promote technology-driven innovation, the minister launched the “Viksit Bharat Digital Matrix 2026 – Design Hackathon”, a six-month initiative focused on developing smart wearable solutions. Organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the hackathon aims to encourage the creation of next-generation products that integrate design, technology and IP protection.
The minister also highlighted India’s growing sporting ambitions, including the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics and the country’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. He called for greater youth participation and urged increased use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to build sports infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas.
Goyal further cautioned sportspersons and influencers to ensure responsible endorsement practices, especially in sectors such as nutrition and supplements, to avoid misleading consumers.
The event featured interactive sessions, including a sports IP quiz, workshops on sports advertising and endorsements, and discussions on the future of IP in sports, along with a showcase of innovations in sports technology, manufacturing and esports.
