National Workshop on Enforcement of IPR

24 August, 2017| New Delhi. First ever National Workshop concluded today with a great spirit and enthusiasm among the participants. It is the first time when the IPR is being discussed at the big platform after the enunciation of National IPR Policy in 2016.

“Its time for Indians to take their rightful place in the global arena of creativity and innovation, not only as creators and innovators, but also as owners of Intellectual Property.”

Most important point was the presence of policy maker and implementing agencies. The workshop was attended by Police Officials, Public Prosecutors, Attorneys and Law Students. More than 200 persons have invested 3 days in learning the enforcement of IP Laws in the country.

The Workshop was divided into 5 session covering all the vital aspects of enforcement of laws in the country and precisely can be indexed as below:

Mr. Rajiv Aggarwal, on the first day discussed the Government policies and Practices for Intellectual Property Rights and its Enforcement whereas Ms. Louis Van Greunen, Director BRIP Division, WIPO elaborated the points for Building Respect for Intellectual Property.

BRIP Division at WIPO is working on international level to make the persons aware about the IPR which exist in day to day life and also emphasis to create a sense of gratitude among the people for the creator and innovators.

“A man without culture is a zebra without black stripes.”

Ms. Louis on first day and on the last day emphasize that how the self awareness among the people will help the authorities to curb the counterfeiting goods and improper use of IPR.  Mr. Kiren Rizizu, Minister of States have also said that even being the people in India are most innovative but we are also good at copy and paste.

Mr. Rajnath Singh, Minster of Home Affairs have shown a keen interest in the IPR Enforcement and promised to take steps for imparting IPR education to Police Authorities. In furtherance of his speech he also discussed the problem of cross border funding to terrorist by selling the counterfeited goods in India.

Mr. Ameet Dutta expressed his views on Role of police for enforcement of copyright laws and in consonance of the same Viacom18 released the animated series of Motu-Patlu. The animated presentation depicts that how much piracy is bad. It will help the kids to understand the bad effect of piracy easily.  Piracy in physical and digital world has become a very serious issue before the innovators. A society shall protect the innovators and the innovators shall be prosperous so that they keep innovating for society.

Mr. Jyoti Sagar, Founding Members, K & S Partner discussed various aspects of the Legal Framework of the Trademark and role of police in the same. Trademark violation and crimes related with the Trademark is not a very new thing in the India but earlier police was investigating only under the IPC either for cheating or fraud or case were being registered as counterfeited goods. It is explained that a counterfeiting goods also covers the counterfeited trademark which shall be tried under the Trademarks Act, 1999.

Mr. David Blakemore and Mr. Pulin Kumar dicussed the Counterfeiting in Physical and Digital World. Mr. Pulin Kumar being the Sr. Director of Legal & Compliances of Adidas India discussed the impact of usage of counterfeiting goods in India.

Mr. Pushpam Jha, Partner, Saikrishna & Associates explains the IPR Enforcement toolkit for police and also explains the effectiveness of the same for the police officer while investigating the IP Crimes in India.

On the last day Mr. Praveen Anand, Founder Partner of Anand & Anand, elaborated the points of Public Interest related with IPR and Global Best Practices, Challenges and Success Stories for the same. In furtherance of the same Mr. David Blakmore also narrated the Cooperation between various enforcement agencies and Role of Right Holders thereto.

The National IPR Policy envisages the need to build respect for IPRs among the general public and to sensitize the inventors and creators of IP on measures for protection and enforcement of their rights. Regular IPR training will help the judicial authorities to implement the same in very good manner.