Amazon announced the launch of its IP Accelerator programme in India to provide its brand owners with access to the services of IP experts and law firms.

Sellers, including small and medium-sized businesses, can engage these IP law firms to help secure trademarks, protect their brands, and tackle infringements on Amazon.in and Amazon websites globally, according to a statement.

The Amazon IP Accelerator programme is already available in the US, Europe, and Canada, according to Mary Beth Westmoreland, vice-president, technology, brand protection.

The Intellectual Property Accelerator Program allows Indian businesses to protect their intellectual property, which in turn ensures a more authentic shopping experience for everyone,” Westmoreland said.

In 2019, IP Accelerator launched in the US, and has subsequently spread to Europe, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and now India.

According to the statement, the program was pilot-launched in India last year and has received positive feedback from businesses.

Six IP law firms Hasan and Singh, Lexorbis, Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys, Amitabha Sen & co, Remfry & Sagar, and H K Acharya & Company have signed up to be service providers as part of the IP Accelerator programme to support sellers on Amazon.in as of now.

Businesses of all sizes need IP rights to differentiate their products, earn customer trust, and grow.

However, the process can be time consuming and complex, which leads to a lot of businesses dropping out, said Pranav Bhasin, Amazon India Director (Selling Partner Experience) Pranav.

Moreover, he said the launch of the IP Accelerator programme in India will assist lakhs of sellers, especially small and medium-sized companies with nascent brands, in protecting their IP.

“There are currently over 8.5 lakh sellers registered on Amazon in India, and we will continue to provide new tools, technology and innovation to help them grow,” Bhasin said.

It was noted that the process of obtaining a trademark registration with the Intellectual Property India, Trademarks Registry (IN TMR) could take up to 18-24 months.

Some brand owners, especially those in small and medium-sized businesses, may find it time consuming and complex to go through the process on their own.

Businesses can take advantage of the IP Accelerator Program by connecting with IP law firms with subject matter expertise in this field who have experience in drafting trademark and other IP registration applications, according to the program.

By engaging with these firms, businesses can avoid common obstacles that would otherwise delay registration.

Businesses can also avail of Amazon.in’s brand protection services to protect and manage their brands on the marketplace before they register their trademark.

In a statement, Amazon India said that they empower brands with programs like the Brand Registry, Transparency, and Project Zero, which use artificial intelligence and automated systems to weed out counterfeit products from the marketplace, helping protect brands’ intellectual property.

Sellers on Amazon.in Service Provider Network (SPN) can access IP Accelerator firm listings for no additional charge. The statement noted that sellers can negotiate terms directly with the law firms at their discretion at mutually agreed payments.

Also read: Microsoft’s bringing Android apps to Windows 11