"Amazon IP Accelerator now in India too"

Amazon has recently launched its own IP Accelerator initiative in India also. This initiative will make it easier for every seller on the platform to register their marks and access legal services. The e-commerce platform made it official on the 04th day of July that all sellers on Amazon will be benefited from its brand protection tools and services, even if their trademark application is pending before the registry.

Pranav Bhasin, Director, MSME & selling partner experience at Amazon India said: “Establishing IP rights is essential for businesses of all sizes to differentiate their products, earn customer trust and grow their business. However, the process can be complex and time-consuming, leading to a lot of businesses dropping off along the way. We are excited to launch the IP Accelerator program in India, to support sellers, especially small and medium-sized sellers with nascent brands, in establishing IP protection.”

This service will help in connecting companies to participating law firms for seeking advice on protecting their brands, even when their trademark application is processing with the Intellectual Property India Trademarks Registry (INTMR). The IP Accelerator was first launched in the US in the year 2019 and has since expanded to countries like Europe, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and now to India. So far, six Indian law firms gave their consent for being partners with Amazon so as to provide services as part of the program and they are:

1. Hasan and Singh, 

2. Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys, 

3. Amitabha Sen & co, 

4. Remfry & Saga and 

5. H K Acharya & Company, and

6. Lexorbis.

Sujata Chaudhri, principal at Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys, one of the law firms enrolled under the program, said: “We are happy to be associated with Amazon’s IP Accelerator Program as a selected firm. We are sure this program will create an excellent platform for the small, medium, and start-up firms in India to get connected with a proven and trusted network of Intellectual Property (IP) law firms in India thereby giving access to various brand protection tools. We look forward to an engaging association with sellers on Amazon.in.”

The IP Accelerator program is undoubtedly is a great initiative launched with an aim to crack down on counterfeit items on the Amazon to the storefront. It is a result of mounting pressure from both big and small brands across the world. As a result, the company also managed to block 10 billion counterfeits prior to listing under this program.