On the occasion of World IP day, a National Intellectual Property Convention with theme “Economic and Social Development through Progressive IP System” was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The convention was organized on virtual platform in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office, India (IPO); Ministry of Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises, Govt of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt of India and Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
While delivering the opening address, Dr Ramesh Datla, Chairman, CII National Committee on IP and Chairman, Elico Ltd mentioned that the World Intellectual Property Day gives the IP fraternity an occasion to deliberate on the strategies from the IP and technology perspective to fight the global pandemic. He shared that in last one year, CII has come up with many sets of recommendations on IPR challenges for fighting pandemic like COVID 19 by striking a balance between monopoly of life saving medicine-based IP vs access to medicine.
Marking the occasion, Mr Aleman Marco, Additional Director General, WIPO observed that WIPO innovators program and innovation guide act as an effective tool for helping SMEs to get patents, thereby facilitating IP by connecting IP facilitators in the respective jurisdictions. Mr. Marco delivered his message at the plenary session on ‘IP & SMEs: Taking your ideas to market’. He further stressed that only 9% of European MSMEs own IP rights, which is very low in comparison to its potential. Startups and SMEs that own the IPs perform better in industry and also pay around 60% better compensations to their employees.
Mr NIKI Manabu, Director of Regional Cooperation Office, International Cooperation Division, Japan Patent Office stressed that the strategic use of IP, facilitation of IP ecosystem and promotion of investment in new innovations will aid economic development & recovery.
Mr G R Raghavendra, IAS, Joint Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice in his keynote stressed upon the introduction of a mediation mechanism in commercial court to settle the IP infringement matter of Rs.3 lakhs and above. He stated that the disposal of IPAB will definitely provide easy access to justice; thereby small SMEs can access to High Courts of their jurisdiction rather than approaching IPAB located in different jurisdiction. He said that a dedicated single judge bench in the High Court provides win-win situation to SMEs in term of IP disputes. He observed that the amendment made to the commercial courts act and the other policy reforms help IP disputes resolution, especially arising out of SME sectors.
Mr Kalyan Revella, IRS, Deputy Secretary & Head of Office (Finance), Intellectual Property Office, Govt of India highlighted the important role of IPO in protecting IP of the nation. He further mentioned that Indian IPO is motivating GI registrations by Indian indigenous cultures. He further added that IPO is establishing a division that will collaborate with law enforcement agencies for better IP enforcement and protection in India. IP Office is trying to learn from the suggestions and recommendations from organizations such as CII to bring strong IP eco system in India towards nation building. Further IPO is trying to induct AI technologies for the examinations of patent applications to reduce the human interventions.
Mr Vinamra Mishra, Director (Tech & Project), Ministry of MSME, Govt of India stated that MSME sector with 63.3 million MSMEs in the country is the second largest employment generator next to agriculture sector, thus constituting 99% of total industries in the country. The sector contributes 38% to the nation’s GDP and 40% and 45% of the overall exports and manufacturing output respectively. He further mentioned about various reform schemes and initiatives of Ministry of MSMEs by highlighting MSME Champions Innovative Scheme, which includes support to ideas through incubation with a funding support of Rs.1 crore for plant and machinery in addition to seed fund support under MSME Design and IPR Schemes.
Mr Pravin Anand, Managing Partner, Anand and Anand stated that the patents give fundamental commercial advantages to startups, SMEs and industry at large. He further said that commercial courts have fast track system in place to resolve the commercial disputes in an effective manner, which ultimately proves to be of great help to SMEs.
Ms Veena Ralli, Advocate & Organizing Secretary, SAMADHAN, Delhi High Court Mediation and Counseling Center said that IP mediation is not merely a conversation. Rather, it involves a skill set to communicate, with effective listening, asking the right questions, weighing the alternatives, assessing the strengths and weakness of organization and creating an agenda leading to resolution through mediation.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. R Saha, Senior Advisor, CII highlighted that SMEs play vital role in nation’s wealth generation and employment creation. Therefore, SMEs need to recognize and understand that the IP becomes critical link to leverage their businesses. He said it is high time to identify the potential of SMEs which will bring a new normal to the nation’s economy and development.
26 April 2021