Business

Thrust for Protection of Intellectual Property Right of Indian Innovators Globally

The third WIPO-IPO PCT Roving seminar was organised by the Indian Patent Office, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, ASSOCHAM and Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM), on June 24 in Kolkata  to spread awareness about process  for protection of Intellectual Property Right of  Indian Innovators .
 Four Roving seminar are being organised  organised by the Indian Patent Office, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization, ASSOCHAM  & other stake holders in Dehradun , Lucknow , Kolkata , Bhubaneswar  in 2019 .
The third WIPO-IPO PCT Roving seminar was organised by the Indian Patent Office, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, ASSOCHAM and Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM),  and Government of West Bengal on June 24 in Kolkata .  Seminar was  inaugurated by  Shri K. S. Kardam, Senior Joint Controller, Indian Patent Office in the presence of Mr Allal Aloui, Head Technical Cooperation Section, PCT International Cooperation Division,Mr Mougamadou Abidine HeadPCT Operations Section 1 of WIPO ,  Dr Rajesh Dixit, Deputy Controller of Patents and Designs, Ms. G. B. Bimi Assistant Controller In Charge RO/IN ,  Dr Sanjay Bhattacharya, Head Patent Office Kolkata, Smt Perminder Jeet Kaur Director East and North East ASSOCHAM .  Inaugurating the seminar Shri K.S.Kardam  said “…Intellectual Property movement started in India  from Kolkata  in 1856  .  Patent Cooperation treaty application also started in Kolkata …” Shri Kardam stressed on the need to protect  property rights of various inventions by various individuals as well as institutions like university , R&D labs , MSMEs across the nations .  
National policy on Intellectual Property Right in India was notified in 2016 .   Creativity and innovation have been a constant in growth and development of any knowledge economy. There is an abundance of creative and innovative energies flowing in India. India has a TRIPS compliant, robust, equitable and dynamic IPR regime. An all-encompassing IPR Policy will promote a holistic and conducive ecosystem to catalyse the full potential of intellectual property for India’s economic growth and socio-cultural development, while protecting public interest. The rationale for the National IPR Policy lies in the need to create awareness about the importance of IPRs as a marketable financial asset and economic tool.  The National Policy of IPR in India  lays down seven objectives which are elaborated with steps to be undertaken by the identified nodal Ministry/Department. The implementing or Nodal Ministry/Department shall coordinate with all other concerned stakeholders, including other Ministries/ Departments, towards attaining the objectives.
  OBJECTIVE 1 IPR Awareness: Outreach and Promotion : To create public awareness about the economic, social and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society 
  OBJECTIVE 2 :Generation of IPRs To stimulate the generation of IPRs   OBJECTIVE 3 :Legal and Legislative Framework To have strong and effective IPR laws, which balance the interests of rights owners with larger public interest 
  OBJECTIVE 4 :Administration and Management To modernise and strengthen service-oriented IPR administration   OBJECTIVE 5 :Commercialisation of IPRs Get value for IPRs through commercialisation 
  OBJECTIVE 6 :Enforcement and Adjudication To strengthen the enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for combating IPR infringements   OBJECTIVE 7 :Human Capital Development To strengthen and expand human resources, institutions and capacities for teaching, training, research and skill building in IPRs 
 The present IP Policy aims to integrate IP as a policy and strategic tool in national development plans. It foresees a coordinated and integrated development of IP system in India and the need for a holistic approach to be taken on IP legal, administrative, institutional and enforcement related matters. Thus, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion shall be the nodal point to coordinate, guide and oversee implementation and future development of IPRs in India. The responsibility for actual implementation of the plans of action will remain with the Ministries/ Departments concerned in their assigned sphere of work. Public and private sector institutions and other stakeholders, including State governments, will also be involved in the implementation process.   Dr. K. S Kardam mentioned WIPO-IPO PCT Roving seminars are being organised in various cities for spreading more awareness among the stakeholders and to provide information and training on Patent Cooperation Treaty to the innovators and creators. He also highlighted the importance of conducting this seminar in Kolkata as it is a hub of Research and Development institutions, Colleges, Universities and Start-ups and MSMEs. He encouraged Start-ups and Entrepreneurs to come forward and to avail the services of the IPO. His said the purpose of the series of such programs is to reach out to young innovators across various cities.  To promote awareness about IPR , Government of India as well as  State Governments are introducing IPR as a part of academic curriculum at school & college level .  

A detailed presentation on WIPO and its history and prospects was made by Mr Mougamadou Abidine Head PCT Operations Section 1 of WIPO.   Mr Allal Aloui Head Technical Cooperation Section, PCT International Cooperation Division delivered a special address during the inaugural session of the seminar . Mr. Allal Aloui gave overview and live demonstration of  ePCT System .
In her welcome address Mrs Perminder Jeet Kaur   extended heartfelt thanks to the  IPO and WIPO for organising such an enriching and insightful seminar in Kolkata. She also said that ASSOCHAM is committed to support entrepreneurs, start ups, academic institutes of the region and  that all possible support shall be extended to conduct any such future events. She further hoped that innovations and creations from East and North East cities will definitely take this region forward in its journey of development.   Mr S A Baba, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology mentioned about  Government of West Bengal ‘s effort to promote IPR as  a part academic curriculum  at school , college and university level . Academic course modules in IPR  are being developed in collaboration with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West BengaL and a presentation from the department was delivered on the work and opportunities with Patent office in  Kolkata.

Dr. Rajesh Dixit, Deputy Controller, In Charge International Search Agency (ISA), said that WIPO-IPO PCT Roving seminars will assist the innovators to learn about this cost-effective and effective system to protect their innovations and through this system Indian innovators can file for patent applications in multiple countries. 

In his concluding remarks,Dr .Kardam said “Government of India is proactively facilitating to develop IPR eco system in India.”

The Roving Seminars in India are part of WIPO’s ongoing support, aimed at promoting awareness of the value of the international patent system or WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), in helping innovators to seek patent protection in export markets around the world.

The PCT assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions and facilitates public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions.  The PCT makes it easier and more cost-effective for companies and inventors to seek patent protection for their inventions in multiple countries. A single international patent application under the PCT has legal effect in all of the countries bound by the Treaty.

The seminars provided key insights for innovators seeking to take their business overseas as well as means  to ensure how to protect their intellectual property (IP) rights. It also guided innovators about new developments in global IP services to help them protect and leverage their intangible assets, and to grow their business .

————————————————————————– Partha Roy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.