A patent is a government-granted exclusive right of the inventor, giving a temporary monopoly for a certain period of time. It gives the inventor the right to produce, use, sell, or lease their invention. Patents protect inventions that are novel, useful, and non-obvious, and these may be new processes, products, or technologies. The issuance of patents seeks to encourage innovation by allowing inventors a temporary monopoly in exchange for full public disclosure of their invention.
The Indian patent law is administered by the Patents Act of 1970 as amended, and is regulated by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In India, a patent has a term for 20 years from the date of filing, subject to renewal each year.
Patents are considered important for the progress of technology as well as to boost economic development through research and development (R&D). Patents also give businesses a competitive advantage and make them attractive to investors. But not all ideas can be patented; only those inventions that meet the criteria of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability can be granted patent protection.
Patents in the modern knowledge-based economy are central to intellectual property rights (IPR), encouraging innovation while safeguarding the public interest in terms of eventual access to technological knowledge.
What is KSUM Patent Reimbursement Scheme?
KSUM stands for the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) Patent Reimbursement Scheme. This scheme substantially reduces the financial burden of patenting for student entrepreneurs and firms, thereby encouraging innovation and intellectual property protection.
KSUM increases the competitiveness of startups and encourages research-based growth in Kerala by providing forward-looking reimbursements of up to ₹2 lakh (for Indian patents) or ₹10 lakh (for international patents), coupled with simplified application and payment processes.
It assists student entrepreneurs and registered companies in Kerala by covering patenting expenses. This is applicable to startups that are registered as LLPs or Pvt Ltd with DPIIT and Udyog Aadhar within the past decade in Kerala. Student innovators can submit their applications through their IEDC cell.
Implementation of the strategy is in three phases of filing, prosecution, and grant stages. Applicants have to complete an online application and send hard copies of invoices and bank statements; money is disbursed through a treasury cheque within 15-20 working days.
The KSUM scheme provides financial support, including that Indian patents can be funded up to ₹2 lakh per patent, while Foreign Patents can be granted up to ₹10 lakh per approved patent. It includes government filing charges and consultant/IP attorney fees, but excludes renewal charges and appellate action. It only pays for the first patent fees and does not cover renewals or appeals processes.
Eligibility Under KSUM Scheme
The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) Patent Reimbursement Scheme seeks to offer financial support to innovators, startups, and student entrepreneurs of Kerala by reimbursing expenses incurred for patent filing and protection. To qualify for this scheme, applicants need to meet the following requirements:
- Registration of Start-up: The applicant should be a start-up registered with DPIIT. Start-ups should also be registered with KSUM and have a valid Udyog Aadhar (MSME registration). The start-up should be registered as either a Private Limited Company or an LLP.
- Age of the Start-up: Start-ups should be less than 10 years old from the date of incorporation to be eligible for the scheme.
- Kerala-based organisation: Startups should be incorporated or have their main operations in Kerala.
- Student Innovators: Students or researchers with patented innovations are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be from colleges that are supported by IEDC (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centers) under the aegis of KSUM. Applications need to be made through the IEDC nodal officer at their institution.
- Patent Filing Requirements: Patents are to be filed on or after November 9, 2015. Indian patents and foreign patents are both acceptable. The applicant must have paid for the costs of patent filing fees, professional or consultant fees for drafting and prosecution, and any other direct costs associated with the patent application.
Documentation Required Under This Scheme
To submit an application for patent reimbursement under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) program, the documents listed below are usually needed:
1. Patent Application Details – Copy of the patent application (Indian or foreign) with the date and number of filing.
2. Expense Proof –
- Receipts from intellectual property lawyers or patent consultants.
- Proof of payment (bank statements or UTR/transaction IDs)
3. KSUM and DPIIT Registration Proof –
- KSUM certificate of registration
- Valid DPIIT recognition certificate
- Udyog Aadhaar certificate (in case of MSME)
4. Start-up Documentation –
- Certificate of incorporation (Private Limited/LLP)
- PAN card and GST registration (wherever applicable).
5. Bank Information – A copy of a cancelled cheque or a bank passbook for reimbursement.
6. Declaration or Undertaking – Self-attested declaration stating that the claim is valid and that the expenses have not been reimbursed from any other source.
7. Student applicants have to furnish a genuine certificate issued by their university and an endorsement letter by the IEDC Nodal Officer.
Optional: Document of grant of patent (if applicable) for the last installment.
KSUM Application Process
The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) Patent Reimbursement Scheme seeks to financially support entrepreneurs and student innovators by reimbursing the expenses incurred in filing patent applications. The application process has been devised to be simple and readily available.
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
To qualify for applying, you should be a startup that is registered with KSUM or a student innovator from an IEDC-supported college. Your patent application should have been filed on or after November 9, 2015. The expenses associated with the patent (filing, attorney, or consulting fees) should not be sponsored by any other government or private agency.
Step 2: Register with KSUM
To finish registering, log in to the Startup Kerala portal at https://startupmission.kerala.gov.in. Set up your startup’s profile to receive recognition from KSUM. Get DPIIT registration and have Udyog Aadhaar (MSME registration).
Step 3: Collect Necessary Documents
Gather and scan the documents below:
- Patent application copy and its acknowledgment.
- Patent agent or consultant invoices.
- Payment proof (bank statements or UTRs).
- DPIIT/KSUM certificates.
- Incorporation certificate, PAN, and GST (if any).
- Copy of a cancelled cheque or passbook.
- Declaration or undertaking.
- Students have to submit a genuine certificate and endorsement from the IEDC nodal officer.
Step 4: Post Your Online Application
Go to the KSUM Patent Support page on the portal. Fill in the Patent Reimbursement Application form. Upload all documents required in the specified format (PDF or JPEG). Sign and submit the form online.
Step 5: Physical Submission (if required)
In some cases, the applicants might be asked to forward hard copies of invoices and other supporting papers to KSUM’s physical location, either through the post or personally.
Step 6: Verification and Approval
KSUM shall verify the papers and examine the eligibility and validity of the claims. You might be called for clarification or supporting documents during this phase.
Step 7: Disbursement of Funds
Upon approval, the reimbursement is made through a treasury cheque or bank transfer. Payment typically occurs in three instalments:
- Upon successful filing of the patent
- Upon finalization of prosecution
- Upon grant of the patent (wherever applicable)
Important Notes
- Processing time: Typically 15–20 working days after complete submission and verification.
- KSUM may reject incomplete or fraudulent applications.
- You can track the status of your application through the Startup Kerala portal.
Benefits Of KSUM Patent Reimbursement Scheme
The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) Patent Reimbursement Scheme is a strategic policy that seeks to encourage innovation and protect intellectual property (IP) for startups and student entrepreneurs in Kerala. The scheme makes the patenting process easier and more accessible through both financial and non-financial incentives. The KSUM Patent Reimbursement Scheme provides innovators with a seamless support network that caters to the strategic, legal, and fiscal aspects of patenting. In cutting expenses and raising intellectual property awareness, it enables Keralan enterprises and student entrepreneurs to innovate with confidence, secure their concepts, and grow at an international level.
- Fund Support for Startups and Inventors: The patent application process can be costly, particularly for students or early-stage firms. Reimbursement of up to ₹2 lakh per Indian patent and ₹10 lakh per international patent by KSUM allows startups to make the best use of their limited funds and lower the cost barrier to intellectual property protection.
- Innovation and Research & Development Promotion: This scheme encourages businesses and students to spend money on R&D without the pressure of upfront patent expenses. It encourages entrepreneurship and technological innovation in the state.
- Legal Protection and Competitive Advantage: Financial help enables more startups to get patents, which grant them rights over their inventions; it increases their competitive advantage in the market and saves their inventions from being copied.
- Makes Investment Attraction and Business Credibility: Patented technologies make startups more attractive to investors, since patents are considered valuable assets. A patented product or process also inspires trust from customers and partners.
- Promotes International IP Registration: By providing reimbursement support for foreign patents, startups are encouraged to seek international protection of their inventions, which spurs global business expansion.
- Fosters Student Innovation: The program encompasses student entrepreneurs through the IEDC (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres). It gives young innovators early exposure to the IP ecosystem, which enhances their confidence and career opportunities.
- Easy Application and Prompt Disbursal: The online process is easy, transparent, and user-friendly. Reimbursement in three installments ensures that startups get timely assistance as they move through various levels of the patenting process.
- Supports Kerala’s Startup Ecosystem Objectives: The scheme is in tune with Kerala’s vision of being a leading innovation-driven economy by facilitating startups using IP and legal support.
Conclusion
The KSUM Patent Reimbursement Scheme is a novel program aimed at supporting businesses in Kerala and student entrepreneurs in patent protection without subjecting them to financial stress. The scheme encourages a culture of innovation, research, and entrepreneurship by funding significant expenses incurred for filing and prosecution of domestic as well as foreign patents. By making the process of obtaining patents easier, it boosts investor trust, competitiveness, and credibility in the startup ecosystem. In addition to providing support to individual innovators, the program’s organised, open, and participatory nature helps Kerala in its overall endeavor to emerge as a hub of technological innovation and sustainable economic growth.
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