Webinar Series on IPR

A joint two days webinar series on “Intellectual Property Rights” was organized by Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC), Jalandhar Kapurthala Road & Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, New Delhi from 15-16th July, 2020. The objective of the event was to create large scale public awareness about the pivotal role of IPR in globalized knowledge economy. The target audience comprises of PG & UG Students, Teachers, Research scholars, Entrepreneurs & Industry and General Public. More than 500 participants pan India participated in the webinar series with 270 participants joining on the TIFAC webex Platform and 230 participants through You Tube. The webinar was accessible through PGSC’s You tube link.

The first day of the webinar focused on Researchers and industry. Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General Science City in her welcome address said  that 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. Awareness and education are vital components in creating an innovation ecosystem which can lead to research excellence, as well as, help make sound investment decisions.  Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Yashawant Dev Panwar, Head of PFC-IPR said that the Government of India has taken concrete steps to establish favourable environment for creation and protection of Intellectual Property Rights and strengthening IP administration in the country. Ms. Sangeeta Naggar  Scientist-F from PFC-TIFAC said statistics show that the IP rights generated through university R&D are generally not being effectively commercialized or used optimally to drive innovation. There is, thus, a growing expectation that academia will expand its role beyond academic research and public service and more directly contribute to the revival of economy, especially in the post COVID era. Ms. Bitika Sharma, IPR Attorney said that the patent system provided the crucial legal foundation on which the first industrial revolution on ‘mechanized production’ was built.  We now stand at the start of the fourth industrial revolution. 

The second day of the webinar focused on commercial aspects of the community as a whole like trademarks, Geographic Indications and Farmer’s Rights.  Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Vishnumohan   Rethinam, Trademarks Attorney said that Trademarks are one of the few assets that can provide with a long-term competitive advantage and identity to the business.  Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General, Science City in her talk said that Geographic indications is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Geographic Indications protect the traditional knowledge thus safeguard the rights of the community so that they get the fair price of their products.

On this occasion, Dr. H.S Chawla (Retd), GB Pant University for Agriculture and Technology gave a presentation on Plant varieties, their protection and farmer's rights.  Ms. Divya Kaushik Scientist at PSCST highlighted that Patent information Centre set up at Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, Chandigarh  is one of the two centres in the country which has been upgraded as TISC. 

The webinar was very much appreciated by participants from all over the country