Union Minister Piyush Goyal felicitates J&K Ranji Team for historic win

New Delhi, Apr 28: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal Tuesday announced that all intellectual property (IP) registrations related to sports—including trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, traditional knowledge, and geographical indications—will be exempt from fees for a period of three years, effective immediately. The announcement was made while addressing the World Intellectual Property Day celebrations in New Delhi, themed “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!”.

The waiver, as per a PIB statement, announced as a special drive to promote innovation in the sports ecosystem, will apply across all categories of IP. The Minister also directed that a notification be issued with immediate effect and highlighted that, in addition to the fee exemption, the government will extend facilitation support under existing schemes to assist innovators, students, artisans, and stakeholders in filing and securing IP rights, thereby easing their journey into the IP ecosystem.

The valedictory session of the programme featured the felicitation of the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy team by Piyush Goyal for their historic performance. The team was honoured for securing a landmark victory after 67 years, including a notable win against an eight-time champion team, Karnataka. The achievement was highlighted as a moment of pride, reflecting the growing sporting potential of Jammu and Kashmir and serving as an inspiration for young athletes across the region.

The Minister noted that the development comes in the backdrop of sustained efforts by the Government to promote sports and create new opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted that increasing investments in infrastructure, coupled with expanding avenues in tourism and industry, are enabling greater participation of youth in diverse fields, including sports. The victory was described as a signal of renewed confidence and opportunity, with young athletes from the region expected to excel at national and international levels in the years ahead.

The Minister underscored the importance of the Kashmir willow cricket bat, noting that it represents India’s craftsmanship and IP strength. He highlighted that it is among the first and possibly the only sports-related product from India to have received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, and emphasised the need to promote its manufacturing within Jammu and Kashmir to enhance its global presence.

The Minister called for the development of sports manufacturing clusters in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, along with Meerut, highlighting their potential to emerge as key hubs in the sports goods sector. He stressed the need to significantly boost domestic production of sports goods, including bats, balls, hockey equipment, training aids, and gym equipment, to strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities and support local value chains.

Focusing on Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister underlined the opportunity to leverage regional strengths to develop specialised manufacturing ecosystems, particularly in sports goods, which can enhance local livelihoods and position the region more prominently in national and global markets. He also encouraged innovation in sports formats and suggested that such innovations should be examined for appropriate intellectual property protection to ensure value creation and support the broader innovation-led growth of the sports sector

The Minister urged innovators, students, and stakeholders to convert every new idea into an IP asset at the earliest and seek registration to secure ownership and value. He also highlighted the availability of government support mechanisms to assist applicants in the IP registration process.

Highlighting the economic potential of sports, Goyal noted the significant growth in valuation of franchise-based cricket teams over the past 18 years, reflecting the transformational journey of sports driven by innovation and commercialization.

Referring to recent developments, Goyal mentioned the signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and noted that both countries are also celebrating 100 years of sporting ties.

Reiterating the Government’s vision, the Minister highlighted the guiding principle of “innovate, patent, produce and prosper,” encouraging stakeholders to develop ideas, secure IP rights, scale production, and access global markets. He noted that India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements is opening new opportunities for Indian innovators.

In a major step towards advancing innovation at the intersection of technology, design, and intellectual property, Piyush Goyal also formally launched the Viksit Bharat Digital Matrix 2026 – Design Hackathon today. Organised by DPIIT in collaboration with IIT Delhi, the six-month immersive hackathon is centred on the theme of smart wearables, focusing on the development of next-generation solutions aimed at enhancing everyday living, performance, and holistic wellness.

The initiative underscores the growing convergence of advanced technology and user-centric design, encouraging participants to develop smart wearable prototypes that are both functionally sophisticated and aesthetically refined for everyday use. By promoting innovations that can be protected through patents and design rights, the hackathon reinforces India’s commitment to an IP-driven innovation ecosystem and enables young innovators to translate creative ideas into practical, real-world applications.

The Minister also highlighted India’s expanding sporting ambitions, including the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics and India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. He encouraged greater participation of youth, including from Jammu and Kashmir, in international sporting platforms.

Emphasizing that sports is both a tool for physical well-being and an important economic activity, the Minister highlighted the growing scale of sports viewership and its economic dimensions. He also noted the rapid adoption of new sports and formats in India.

Referring to the Sports Policy 2025, Goyal highlighted efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure, promote sports at the school level, and ensure equal opportunities for youth across the country. He also cited past initiatives, including the establishment of a sports academy in Ranchi to nurture talent from tribal communities.

He urged greater utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for sports development, including the creation of open gym facilities across the country and expansion of infrastructure to remote areas.

Cautioning sportspersons and influencers, Goyal advised responsible endorsement practices, particularly in areas such as nutrition and supplements, to avoid misleading advertising.

The programme also incorporated interactive elements, including a sports IP quiz, a workshop on sports advertising and endorsements, and an interactive forum on the “Future of IP & Sports” with participation from international IP offices. The Sports Innovation Arena showcased advancements in sports technology, manufacturing, and esports.