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The Indian government has issued a directive stipulating that prior official approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is mandatory before any individual, business entity, digital platform, trademark or patent agent, or legal practitioner can utilize the Indian Patent Office's official logo. A public notice from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) highlights the misuse of the IPO's emblem, emblem, and design by various stakeholders including online legal tech platforms, unauthorised service providers, and corporate bodies.

This illicit use of the IPO logo has created a false impression of official endorsement, potentially defrauding stakeholders and the public. The DPIIT has urged all entities currently displaying the IPO logo or designs similar to it to promptly remove such materials. Non-compliance with this directive could result in legal consequences, including civil and criminal prosecution, administrative sanctions, and reporting to law enforcement agencies.

The government has also advised startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the general public to verify the authenticity of entities providing intellectual property (IP) registration services and to consult the official IPO portal (www.ipindia.gov.in) for all statutory filings and communications.