.jpg)
The Tech Legal Cell of Symbiosis Law School, Pune (SLS, P) in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Cell, Symbiosis International University conducted a Workshop on ‘Evolving Trends in Intellectual Property Law’ on 18th April, 2017 at SLS, Pune. The dignitaries on the dais were Shri Priyank Gupta, IP Attorney, Partner, StratJuris & Partners, Smt. Swapna Sundar, IP Attorney & CEO, IP Dome, Chennai, Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Director, SLS, P, Chairperson, IP Cell, SIU and Dr. Bindu Ronald, Deputy Director, SLS, P. Dr. Gurpur, in her welcome address discussed the relevance of Intellectual Property in improving lives and changing the course of the nation. The fact that anything involving human ingenuity can be patented, should serve as an incentive for innovation. She declared Symbiosis International University to be a gold mine of possibilities equipped to feed the innovative need of society. This was followed by the felicitation of dignitaries on and off the dais by Dr. Gurpur.
The first inaugural address for the programme was delivered by Dr. Yogesh Patil, Head, Research & Publication, Symbiosis Center for Research & Innovation (SCRI) SIU, where he discussed the urgency of staking one’s own claim with regard to one’s innovations and inventions in respect of the new economic order. He stated the importance of creating protocols and procedures to combat the various patent infringements arising as a result of globalization. He further elaborated that SIU presents a right kind of impetus to the faculty by providing conducive environment as far as research activities are concerned. He stressed on the importance of spreading awareness of IP among teachers.
In the subsequent inaugural address, Shri Dilip Thosar, Chief Executive Officer, Symbiosis Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, SIU introduced the Symbiosis Centre for Entrepreneurship. He stated that the Centre provided conducive environment for startups primarily for Symbiosis, but welcomed start ups even from outside the fraternity. He further elaborated on the three kinds of IP, that is, Patent, Brand and Trade Secret. He stressed on the importance of creating IP by combating competition from nefarious competitors trying to benefit from one’s product. The Centre helps in the creation of IP and its commercial exploitation. Dr. Urvashi Rathod, Professor, Head, Symbiosis Center for Research & Innovation (SCRI), SIU provided insights about the collaboration of SCRI with the IP Cell of SIU. She stated that SCRI focuses on promoting superior quality academic and action based research in the university and acquiring IP benefits from the research. Academics deal with the creation of knowledge. She stressed the significance of IP in preventing the misuse and unnecessary commercialization of this knowledge by those individuals having improper intentions. She concluded by stating that if there is ever an opportunity for misuse of knowledge, one has a duty to get their research patented.
The final inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Aparna Hebbani, Dean, Faculty of Media, Communication & Design, SIU on the importance of students realizing the potential of their work, irrespective of whether it is academic based, or work oriented such as design and photography. She expressed that we live in an age of innovation, with children possessing an immense amount of creativity. She conveyed that SIU is an ecosystem that fosters innovation and supports IP. Following this, Shri Rajiv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, DIPP, Government of India in his inaugural address spoke on ‘IP Governance in India & National IPR Policy, 2016’ where he recognized the celebration of the International IP day and the leaps and bounds that have been made in the field of IP with regard to the adjudication of IP cases, the upgrading and modernization of IP and so on. He expressed the importance of innovating and commercializing these innovations for the betterment of society and the progress of the nation.
The first session of the workshop was conducted in accordance with the theme ‘IP Filing Trends in India’ by Shri Priyank Gupta where he discussed in depth Global Patent Findings, and the dominating position of China in the field of IP and Innovation. He also discussed the new Startup scheme initiated by Modi government to encourage IP driven innovation in the country. He concluded the session by stating the new guidelines, tests and indicators to determine patentability of CRIs to facilitate the much needed change in the legal landscape for IP in India. The second session was conducted in continuance of the topic explored in the first session by Smt. Swapna Sundar. The final session was conducted by Shri Anand Mahurkar, IP Attorney & Partner, Krishna & Saurastri Associates, Pune on ‘Commercialization Trends in Intellectual Property’ where he discussed the rise of litigation trends in IP in India. In addition, the students and faculty members of various institutes of SIU presented research papers.
The Valedictory Ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Bindu Ronald, Deputy Director, Symbiosis Law School, Pune.
