World Intellectual Property Day

World Intellectual Property day was celebrated by Pushpa Gujral Science City in collaboration with Patent Facilitation Centre, Technology information Forecasting and Assessment Council, GoI. More than 150 students and teachers participated through virtual mode in webinar. Giving introductory remarks at the occasion, Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General, Pushpa Gujral Science City, said that Innovation and creative endeavors are indispensable elements that drive economic growth and sustain the competitive edge of the economy of any country. Developed countries have relied on intellectual property as one of the leading tools to achieve advances in economic well-being. Patents, trademarks, and copyrights were the principal means for establishing ownership rights to these creations, inventions by individuals and companies. She informed that copyrights were also a major intellectual property which was of special relevance to academics and creative arts. She emphasized upon the need to impart the knowledge of protection of different Intellectual property rights to young generation to develop conducive environment where they can be equipped to create novel and original innovations and protect them simultaneously. She also informed that Pushpa Gujral Science City had set up an Innovation Hub to create an innovation ecosystem for students and disseminate information on IPRs regularly. Dr. Ashwini Siwal, Assistant Professor, Intellectual Property Law, University of Delhi was the key speaker at this occasion. Delivering a talk on “Copyright Issues for Academics” he said that Intellectual property is a part and parcel of our life. No matter what we do and where we are. We are always surrounded by the fruits of human creativity and inventions which make our life much easier. Intellectual Property Rights became new significant area of discussion in last two decades with the establishment of WTO and TRIP’s Agreement. IP has taken a center stage of academic discussions and debate both at industry and academic institutions level. Intellectual Property Rights are not only enforceable in India but also globally apart from creation and protection, the component of commercialization of IP is equally important and must be taught to the innovators. Dr. Rajesh Grover, Director, Science City delivering vote of thanks said that awareness and education are vital components in creating an innovation ecosystem. It is crucial that our youth is prepared and our industry, especially in the micro, small and medium scale sector, is geared up to face the challenge head-on. Creation, protection and commercialization of IP are the keys to achieve research excellence, he added.