SIP-EIT Scheme, Provides Financial Support To MSME And Technology Start-up

What is the Scheme?

SIP-EIT is a scheme to provide financial support to MSMEs and Technology Startup units for international patent filing to encourage innovation and recognize the value and capabilities of global IP along with capturing growth opportunities in ICTE sector.

Support for International Patent Protection in E&IT (SIP-EIT) scheme was introduced by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeiTY) to provide financial support to MSMEs and Technology Start-Up units for international patent filing. The scheme captures the growth opportunities in the area of information technology and electronics and encourages indigenous innovation. The scheme is also responsible for recognising the values and capabilities of global Intellectual Property. In this article, we will try looking at the SIP-EIT Scheme in detail.

Benefits of the Scheme

Some of the important features and benefits of the SIP-EIT scheme are mentioned below:

• In the Information Communication Technologies and Electronics sector, financial support is provided for international filings.
• The maximum reimbursement amount has been set at INR 15 lakhs per invention or 50 percent of the total fees incurred in filing and processing the patent application, whichever is less.
• The applicant can apply for this support scheme at any stage of filing an international patent application. Nevertheless, the reimbursement will only be allowed for expenses incurred after DeiTY has accepted a complete application subject to approval by the competent authority.

 Who all are eligible?

The Applicant should be registered under the MSME Development Act 2006 of Government of India as amended from time to time as a MSME unit as per the criteria for such registration (the applicant would be required to furnish the proof of such registration).

Applicants should be registered companies under the Companies Act of the Government of India, and they must meet the investment limits required by the MSME Development Act 2006 as amended from time to time (these conditions will be determined from proof of registration and the last audited balance sheet of the applicant).

The applicant should be a registered Software Technology Parks Unit and must meet the requirements of Government of India's MSME Development Act 2006 as amended from time to time (proof of registration will be required as well as the applicant's most recent audited balance sheet).

Important Document to carry

• Evidence of registrations in accordance with eligibility criteria.
• Scanned copy of Last Audited Balance Sheet.
• For a Waiver under Section 39 for international filing, applicants must need a scanned copy of the official Indian Patent Office filing.
• A  Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or Paris convention certificate or direct international filing is required if an international application has already been filed.
• Documentary proof is required if the applicant is an employee or member of the Board of Directors.
• A technical write up of Present Invention has to be given in Portable Document Format (.pdf) as per the format.
• Patent Search Report
• Scanned copy in PDF format of The Details for Transfer of e-Payments have to be duly filled up as per the format. 
• A scanned copy of the duly signed and sealed Declaration Form in PDF format.

Online apply procedure

The procedure to apply online under the scheme is as follows:

Step 1. First of all, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria by reading through the brochure.

Step 2. You will need to create a Login ID in order to apply, which will be used for future communication.

Step 3. You can then log in and apply for the scheme after creating your user account. Make sure you have thoroughly read the Guidelines and also the list of documents to be uploaded before proceeding to fill out the online application.