Startups and students educated on IPR at PHDCCI virtual session

No. PR- 032 May 13, 2021 New Delhi Startups and students educated on IPR at PHDCCI virtual session PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organized a virtual session on IPR Protection – The Catalyst for Success for startups and students of Pyramid College of Business and Technology, Phagwara here today. Welcoming the panelists and participants, Mr. J K Sharma, Co-Chair, Punjab Education Committee and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Technology Business Incubation Foundation (TBIF), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar stated that keeping in view the importance of IPR for economic growth of the country; the Government is funding IPR activities. He added that due to increased focus on innovation, students must be made aware of IPR for protecting their hard work. Addressing the Session, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bahl, Director, Pyramid College of Business and Technology, Phagwara mentioned that their college has an IIC with a very promising faculty to encourage innovation among their students. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Virat Rehani, Innovation Activity Coordinator said the students will benefit only if they protect their innovations. He added that we all encounter problems every day and try to find solutions but we should not restrict the knowledge to ourselves. He said knowledge is useful only if it benefits the society. Sharing details of various GOI schemes for promotion of IPR, Mr. Kundan Lal, Assistant Director, Govt. of India Ministry of MSME Development Institute Ludhiana informed about the financial support available to MSMEs, Institutes and individuals for registration and protection of IPs. He informed that for domestic patent the grant is Rs. 1 lac and 5 lacs for international patent. For geographical indications the support is Rs. 2 lacs and for trademarks, Rs. 10,000/- grant is given. Mr. Kundan Lal added that Rs. 70,000/- per program is given to institutions for conducting IPR Awareness programs physically. He stated that a grant of Rs. 1 crore is given by the Government of India for setting up an IP Facilitation Centre for providing IP services to entrepreneurs. He explained that for availing GOI Schemes, Udyam Registration is mandatory which can be done online on Udyam Portal. He appreciated the IPR services being provided by PHDCCI through the IPFC set up at Amritsar and Chandigarh and said that startups and enterprises can avail the services of PHDCCI ‘s IPFC at Amritsar and Chandigarh. Explaining different forms of IPR, Ms. Geeta Gulati, Advocate. Trade Marks & Patent Attorney, Panchkula mentioned that IP can be a new innovation or improvement of an existing product. She exhorted students to commercialize their innovations and make profit. She advised that before filing Patent application, they should ascertain whether their innovation is patentable as not to avoid any inconvenience at a later stage. She explained that Patents are for 20 years after which they go to public domain. However, in case the product is required for any emergency use like the covid-19 vaccine, the Government can invoke Compulsory Licensing to enable other companies to manufacture the required product. Ms. Gulati informed that Patent for Trade Secret and Business Ideas is not presently available in India. Ms. Gulati mentioned that Trademarks refer to the name and logo of the company. She said the name should be unique and should not resemble any well known brand. The application for Trademark can be filed when the name is actually in use. It is valid for 10 years and can be renewed any number of times. Ms. Gulati also explained in detail regarding Copy Rights and Industrial Designs. Dr. Shweta Sen. Head IPR, Integrum IP Mohali made a detailed Presentation on Role of IPR in Economic Development. She mentioned that IPR include Patents, Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographic Indications. Patents are inventions and can include unique kitchen appliances, recipes etc. or software embedded in hardware. Giving example of Startups like Samosa Party and Samosa Singh, she explained that Copyright refers to literary or artistic works and can include name, décor items, statues and architectural designs. Highlighting the benefit of IPR, she said that IPR grants exclusive rights to an inventor or assignee to prevent others from commercially benefiting from his/her invention without permission and allows the holder to exploit his IP for profit by way of licensing or assignment. Thanking the speakers and participants, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bahl urged the students to use the knowledge shared in today’s session for their benefit. More than 70 Startups, Faculty members, and Students of Pyramid College of Business and Technology, Phagwara attended and benefited from the program. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s webinar was supported by DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; JK Tyre & industries ltd; Marble City; Paramount Cables ltd; SMC Investments and Advisors Limited; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; DCM Shriram Industries Ltd; Radico Khaitan ltd and Timberworkz. Ends Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry