Weekly Open House Sessions for Startups on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Matters
With a view to strengthening engagement with the startup ecosystem and facilitating the effective utilisation of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) system in India, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (O/o CGPDTM) has decided to introduce Weekly Open House Sessions every Thursday, exclusively focusing on addressing queries and facilitating Startups in matters relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
The initiative is aimed at providing a dedicated platform for Startups to interact directly with officers of the respective Intellectual Property Offices, seek guidance, clarify queries and address issues relating to filing, examination, prosecution and registration of IP applications.
Accordingly, the Weekly Open House Sessions shall be conducted virtually through WebEx, every Thursday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM (IST) starting from 19th November 2026, as per the following schedule:
| Day / Week | Time | Subject / Area of Open House |
|---|---|---|
| First Thursday of every month | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM | Patent-related matters in the field of Biotechnology and Allied Fields. |
| Second Thursday of every month | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM | Patent-related matters in the fields of Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science and Allied Fields. |
| Third Thursday of every month | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM | Patent-related matters in the field of Chemistry and Allied Fields. |
| Fourth Thursday of every month | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM | Patent-related matters in the field of Mechanical Engineering and Allied Fields, along with matters relating to Trade Marks and Designs. |
The link for connecting to the open house shall remain the same as given below:
Join Open House Session (WebEx)
Startups are encouraged to actively participate in these sessions and make effective use of this platform for seeking guidance and resolution of their IPR-related queries. Participants are requested to keep their queries brief and specific to facilitate meaningful interaction and effective resolution within the stipulated time.
It may be noted that the Open House Sessions are intended to facilitate interaction and provide guidance on IPR-related matters. The sessions shall not be construed as a substitute for the prescribed statutory procedures, timelines or remedies under the respective Intellectual Property laws and rules.
This initiative is expected to promote greater awareness, strengthen direct engagement between the IP Offices and Startups, and facilitate innovation and intellectual property protection in the country.
