NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Recognising that MSMEs’ innovative and creative capacity is not always fully utilized, as many MSMEs are not familiar with the intellectual property system; and if left unprotected, a good invention or creation may be lost to larger competitors who are in a better position to commercialize new products at more affordable prices, leaving the original inventor or creator without any financial benefit or reward, K.A.P. Sinha (IAS), Secretary, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Govt. of Punjab, said, “Department of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology , Govt. of Punjab shall support Industry and Academia to increase patent filing from Punjab.”
Sinha was addressing as chief guest during “IPR Awareness Programme – Expanding IP Regime” organized by PHD chamber of Commerce and Industry here today to sensitise the MSMEs towards Intellectual Property Rights.
Sinha said there is a great need to spread awareness on the subject so that copyright, Patent, trademark can be well differentiated and used effectively.
Highlighting that Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Govt. of Punjab provides the Financial and legal support to Academia and Industry bodies in filing patents, Sinha said, “IPR is a weapon to register your innovation and can be leveraged by selling the rights without any risk.”
He said the Novelty, Innovation and Commercial application are the ingredients of Intellectual Property. Novelty, Innovation and Commercial application are the ingredients of Intellectual Property. Industry bodies and R & D organization must develop strong linkages so that innovation or thoughts could be registered in the form of Intellectual property, he added.
Dr. Neelima Jerath, Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Govt. of Punjab said that every individual must use their own capabilities for creating values, increasing efficiencies that lead to innovation.
In India the filing of patents is very less as compared to U.S, U.K and other developed countries but after the amendment of Patent act in 2005, it has increased gradually and now it takes 3 years to get the patent earlier which was more than 7 years.
Dr. Jerath explained about the importance, use of Patents, government initiatives and support of the Govt agencies in promoting IPR and increasing the registrations. Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Govt. of Punjab runs the help desk in Ludhiana which facilitates the people in filing the application and also does primarily search at a nominal fee.
“The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are accepted as engines of economic growth, worldwide and have played a pivotal role in providing employment opportunities to many. Various innovations are made by the small industries however they fail to protect their IP assets, due to a variety of reasons and the major ones being lack of funds and lack of awareness about Intellectual Property” said Dalip Sharma, Director, PHD Chamber.
Anil Kahitan, Chairman, Industry Affairs Committee, PHD Chamber said that the concept of IPR has been imported from the West but India also has a well developed national framework for creation and protection of IPR’s.
India Risk Survey Report compiled by PHD Chamber highlights that Intellectual theft is one of the major concerns for Indian Industry, he added.
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, India filed for approx. 34,000 patents last year whereas United States of America and China filed around 4,90,000 and 3,90,000 respectively. Although the domestic filing of patents is increasing in numbers, it is still a matter of concern that domestic patent filing has not reached the expected mark as compared to some of the major countries.
Further, interest of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Indian industries, technologist, scientist and inventors are gaining in this field. More number of research oriented persons are filing their inventions on a larger scale. More number of foreign companies are now establishing their in-house R&D centres in India, which is a clear sign of increasing IPR influence in the country
Vivek Seigell, Senior Secretary, PHD Chamber thanked the Chief Guest and eminent panelists and all the participants for sparing their valuable time and assured that this conference would really disseminate awareness on IPR and encourages individuals and MSME’s to protect their innovation by registering it.
