The Ministry of Commerce and Industry hosted the 18th Meeting of the Heads of Intellectual Property Offices of BRICS Countries in New Delhi from September 1 to 3, 2026. Leaders of intellectual property offices from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran and Ethiopia gathered to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on patents, trademarks and related matters. Around 35 delegates participated, with some joining online while others attended in person.
What was discussed and decided
The meeting adopted Updated Operational Guidelines designed to improve how BRICS countries work together on intellectual property matters. These guidelines aim to reduce delays in patent processing, encourage innovation across borders and help shape global standards for intellectual property protection.
The participating nations also focused on several practical areas:
- A study on strengthening patent examination cooperation to cut through bureaucratic backlogs and share search information more effectively among member countries
- Recognition of traditional knowledge and traditional systems of medicine as valuable cultural and intellectual heritage that needs protection
- Use of patent analytics and geographical indications data to help countries better protect and sell products like coffee, tea and handicrafts that depend on geographic origin
- New collaborative projects including an IP awareness campaign, a tool to monitor financial technology innovation, a forum for commercialising industrial property, and a collection of best practices across BRICS nations
- Research into design systems and documentation of patent resources across all member countries
The meeting was coordinated by India’s Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks under India’s BRICS Chairship, with deliberations aligned to the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
What this means for you
Indian innovators, businesses and creators may find it easier to protect their inventions, trademarks and geographical products across BRICS nations. The streamlined patent examination processes and shared guidelines could reduce waiting times and costs for filing intellectual property applications. Producers of Indian geographical indication products like Darjeeling tea or Basmati rice could gain better protection and market access in other BRICS countries through improved cooperation on geographical indication standards.