Description

Women Rights, Law and Justice
Editor: Prof. Dr. Yogesh Kumar Gupta
Published by Universal Academic Books Publishers and Distributors,
New Delhi (India)
ISBN: 978-81-686113-2-0, 2026

Chapter 9

Empowering Women through Intellectual Property: Government Incentives and the Road to Inclusive Innovation

Ishan Ahmad
Assistant Professor (Law), Hamdard Institute of Legal Studies and Research,
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India

Abstract

Women entrepreneurs have emerged as key contributors to economic growth, innovation, and social development. In the contemporary knowledge driven economy, Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) play a crucial role in protecting innovation, creativity, and business identity. This paper examines the role of women in the intellectual property ecosystem, highlighting their contributions as inventors, creators, innovators, and business proprietors while analyzing the challenges they face in securing and enforcing IPRs.

The study further explores the various policy initiatives and government schemes introduced to encourage women’s participation in innovation and entrepreneurship. Particular emphasis is placed on relaxations and incentives available to women proprietors under India’s intellectual property regime, including reduced filing fees for patents, trademarks, designs, and geographical indications, expedited examination procedures for eligible applicants, and support through schemes, Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), MSME support programs, and the Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP). These measures seek to reduce financial barriers, improve access to legal protection, and promote innovation-led enterprises owned by women.

The paper adopts a doctrinal research methodology by examining statutory provisions, government notifications issued by national and international organizations the paper argues that strengthening outreach programs, simplifying procedural requirements, expanding financial assistance, and integrating gender-sensitive innovation policies are essential for enhancing women’s participation in the intellectual property ecosystem. Such measures will not only promote gender equality but also contribute significantly to sustainable economic development and innovation-driven growth in India.

Keywords

Women Entrepreneurs, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Government Schemes, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Women Proprietorship

1. Introduction

“Innovation and translation are both very important in academic research in order to benefit society as well as provide for the ‘next steps,’ which will yield further innovation.”

– Maryellen Giger

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) constitute a crucial mechanism for fostering innovation, protecting creative and inventive works, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable economic growth. However, the benefits of the intellectual property (IP) system have not been distributed equally across gender lines. As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, it is important to recognize and critically examine the contribution of women to innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and intellectual property. Although IP laws are formally gender-neutral, their operation and accessibility in practice continue to reflect deeply embedded social, economic, institutional, and structural gender inequalities.