IP protection at early stage play a vital role
JALANDHAR (Sur Saanjh Bureau), 30 April:
Pushapa Gurjal Science City in collaboration with Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh celebrated World Intellectual Property Day by organizing a webinar. Around 100 students and teachers from different educational institution of Punjab participated in the event. The theme of this year celebration was “IP and Youth innovating for a Better Future”.
Giving Introductory remarks at the occasion, Dr. Neelima Jerath Director General, Pushpa Gujral Science City said that World Intellectual Property Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) in promoting innovation and creativity. Innovation and creative endeavors are indispensable elements that drive economic growth and sustain the competitive edge of the economy of any country. With government push to schemes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’ and now ‘Atma-nirbhar Bharat’, IP filing and grant activity is likely to increase. Further, Industry 4.0 is witnessing new inventions and breakthroughs as it faces challenges in providing the right environment to stimulate innovation, especially in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. IP-intensive industries have been identified as an important and integral part of a country’s economy and account for more jobs and a larger share of its GDP, she added.
Dr. Balwinder Singh Sooch, HOD, Biotechnology and Deputy Coordinator (IPR), Punjabi University Patiala was the key speaker on this occasion. He delivered a talk on ‘IPRs for budding innovators and start-ups’. During the session, he enlightened young innovators about the scope of protection of their inventions, designs, trade names and other items under the Indian IP regime and related legal provisions. He informed that adequate IP protection at early stage of any start-up can play a significant role for shaping a better future of any start-up because IPRs can provide them a competition free niche in this era of hard competition. Hence, the young and budding innovators should explore and come forward to protect their IP rights to achieve their goals by transforming their ideas into reality. He appealed to the participants to protect their IPRs on priority and also respect others IPRs. Dr. Minni Singh, Associate Prof, Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Mr. Charnjit Singh , Cad Application Engineer and Mr. Vanjarapu Sai Teja QA/QC & NDT Engineer former Incubatee of GNA University shared their experiences of commercializing their ideas at the occasion.
Dr. Rajesh Grover, Director, Science City speaking at the occasion emphasized on the importance of IP awareness among budding innovators and start-ups in this era of technology. He 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.
A poster making competition on IPR was also organized at this occasion. The first prize was won by Manpreet Kaur from College of Agriculture, PAU, Ludhiana, second prize by Simranpreet Kaur, College of Horticulture & Forestry, PAU Ludhiana and Komal Kaur, Shri LBS Arya College, Barnala stood third. Jaspreet Kaur and Jasmeen Kaur from DeshBhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Ginni, Govt. college of Business & Commerce Administration, Chandigarh received Appreciation Certificate.
