The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an agreement to establish Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISC).WIPO's Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISC) programme provides access to locally based, high quality technology information and related services to innovators in developing countries, assisting them in maximising their innovative potential and creating, protecting, and managing their intellectual property (IP) rights. In this article, we will discuss regarding the India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Centres which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

What is TISC?

• By providing access to technology information and related services, TISCs help to close the global knowledge gap and promote economic and social development.
• They promote innovation by leveraging the wealth of technology information disclosed in patent documents (over 90 million have been published to date) and scientific and technical publications.
• TISCs can be established in a variety of host institutions, such as patent offices, universities, and research institutes.
• The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) have signed an agreement to establish Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISC).
• The National Focal Point for the TISC national network is the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM).
• CIPAM, as the national focal point, will identify potential host institutions, assess their capacities, and assist them in participating in the TISC project.
• CIPAM will also serve as the primary liaison between WIPO and TISC host institutions, as well as coordinate all national TISC network activities.

What is the need for TISC?

• Allowing users to benefit effectively from the increased accessibility provided by internet searches (including search tools such as keyword, truncation, classification, and so on) via direct personal (face-to-face) assistance;
• To strengthen the local technological foundation (by developing local know-how);
• Increase technology transfer (for example, by investigating licencing, joint ventures, and so on);
• To assist local users in developing, protecting, owning, and managing their intellectual property rights.

TISC – Objectives

• The goal of establishing such centres is to promote a dynamic, vibrant, and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) system in India in order to foster creativity and innovation.
• By establishing a network of TISCs in India, it will help to promote entrepreneurship while also enhancing social, economic, and cultural development.
• The goal of TISC is to give impetus to knowledge sharing, sharing of best practises among TISCs, capacity building, intellectual property generation, and commercialization.
• It will provide host institutions with access to the global network.

Services Offered by TISC

TISCs offer a wide range of services to assist inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs in realising their innovative potential.

• Access to and use of patent information training.
• Patent and non-patent databases are available.
• Help for inventors with patent filing and intellectual property commercialization.
• Make connections and contribute to the exchange of knowledge.
• Provide high-quality patent search and analysis services.
• Increase IP awareness and contribute to the country's economic growth.
• Online patent and non-patent (scientific and technical) resources, as well as IP-related publications;
• Assistance in searching and retrieving technology information;
• Database search training;
• On-demand searches (novelty, state-of-the-art, and infringement);
• Technology and competitor monitoring;
• Fundamental information on industrial property laws, management and strategy, and technology commercialization and marketing.

TISC – Key Stakeholders & Their Roles

Where can TISC be established?

TISCs provide services aimed at developing the innovative potential inherent in academic, industrial, and business areas and can be established in institutions such as:

• Industrial property offices at the national and regional levels
• Universities and educational institutions
• Centres for research
• Chambers of Commerce or Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) associations
• Other comparable public institutions

TISC Network in India

In India, the following ten TISCs have been established:

• Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PCSCT), Punjab
• Anna University, Chennai
• Gujarat Council of Science and Technology, Gujarat
• National Research Development Corporation, Andhra Pradesh
• Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Kerala
• Patent Information Centre, Rajasthan State Council for Science, Technology, Rajasthan
• Karnataka State Council for Science & Technology, Karnataka
• International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Telangana
• Central Tool Room and Training Centre, Odisha
• Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI)
• Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat

Conclusion

Over 500 TISCs operate globally, and establishing a TISC in India will provide access to the global network for the host institutions. CIPAM intends to establish TISCs in universities, state science councils, research and development institutions, and other institutions in the coming years. TISC will encourage knowledge sharing, best practises sharing among TISCs, capacity building, IP generation, and commercialization.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the primary objective of India's first Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC)?

A) To support foreign companies with patenting
B) To promote research and development in public institutions
C) To assist innovators and researchers with patenting and intellectual property services
D) To encourage the use of traditional knowledge

2. Where is the first Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) in India located?

A) Bengaluru
B) Hyderabad
C) Nagpur
D) Pune

3. Which of the following is a service provided by TISC?

A) Free legal services for intellectual property litigation
B) Financial support for startups
C) Access to patent databases and training on intellectual property
D) Free licensing of innovations

4. How does TISC contribute to India's intellectual property landscape?

A) By granting patents to all innovations
B) By increasing awareness and providing access to IP resources
C) By directly funding innovation projects
D) By managing all patents in India

5. Which sectors benefit the most from the services of the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC)?

A) Only large multinational companies
B) Only governmental research institutions
C) Entrepreneurs, researchers, SMEs, and universities
D) Individuals seeking patenting for arts and culture

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) in promoting India's innovation ecosystem.

Answer: TISC contributes significantly to India's innovation ecosystem by offering critical resources for patenting and intellectual property management. By providing access to patent databases, training on IP rights, and supporting technology transfer, TISC enables researchers, startups, and SMEs to protect and commercialize their innovations. This fosters an environment where technological advancements can thrive, ultimately driving economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting innovation-based entrepreneurship in India. Additionally, TISC helps bridge the gap between academia and industry, encouraging collaborative efforts in technology development and commercialization.

Q2: Explain how the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) aligns with the goals of 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

Answer: TISC aligns with the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives by supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly among SMEs and startups. By facilitating access to intellectual property resources and offering training, TISC empowers Indian innovators to protect and commercialize their ideas, encouraging domestic manufacturing and technological advancements. This support helps reduce India’s dependency on foreign technologies, fosters local innovation, and encourages the growth of self-reliant industries, which are key components of both the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaigns.

Q3: How does the establishment of TISC contribute to strengthening India’s intellectual property framework?

Answer: The establishment of TISC strengthens India’s intellectual property framework by providing critical resources to innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. TISC promotes the understanding and use of intellectual property rights (IPR), helping individuals and organizations navigate patent systems and protect their innovations. By offering access to international patent databases, legal training, and commercialization advice, TISC creates an ecosystem where intellectual property is valued, leading to better innovation management and improved global competitiveness. This contributes to a more robust IPR framework, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and economic growth.

Previous Year Questions on TISC

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "How does the establishment of Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISC) help in fostering innovation and research in India?"

Answer: The TISC initiative plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation by providing access to global patent databases, intellectual property training, and commercialization support. It aids researchers and entrepreneurs in protecting their innovations, thus promoting technological advancements and encouraging entrepreneurship. This, in turn, leads to economic growth and enhances India’s global position in innovation and technology.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "What are the benefits of TISC for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India?"

Answer: TISC provides SMEs with essential resources like access to patent information, legal advice on intellectual property, and support for technology transfer. These services help SMEs protect their innovations, expand market reach, and enhance competitiveness, leading to sustainable growth. Furthermore, TISC helps SMEs navigate the patenting process, boosting confidence in commercialization and fostering an innovation-driven economy.