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SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development highlighting the challenges of intellectual property (IP) rights protection, Chennai-based Zuppa Geo Navigation Technology has accused Chinese firms of infringing upon its autopilot technology. The company has urged the Indian government to act against imports from these Chinese entities to safeguard domestic innovation.

Zuppa Geo Navigation Technology, a pioneer in advanced navigation systems and drone technology, has written to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), seeking a ban on imports from Chinese firms allegedly involved in IP violations. The company claims that its patented autopilot technology has been infringed upon by two major Chinese companies JIYI Robot, a Shanghai-based firm exporting autopilots to India and CUAV, another Chinese company accused of supplying autopilot systems that allegedly violate Zuppa Geo’s copyright.

Zuppa Geo asserts that these products mirror the functionality and design of its proprietary technology, effectively undermining the competitive advantage of Indian innovation in the rapidly growing drone sector.

Zuppa Geo’s appeal to the DGFT emphasises the need for stringent measures to protect Indian intellectual property rights against foreign exploitation. The company has requested a ban on the import of products from JIYI Robot and CUAV, arguing that unchecked imports not only harm Indian businesses but also disincentivise innovation within the domestic market.

India’s drone ecosystem has seen rapid growth, driven by government initiatives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and a push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). However, incidents like these highlight the vulnerabilities faced by Indian companies in protecting their intellectual property.