CHANDIGARH– June 1– An International Conference on Intellectual Property Rights – Harnessing IPR for IT, Electronics and Engineering Industry was organized by ASSOCHAM on Thursday here in Chandigarh. The aim of the conference was to educate the SMEs who are involved in process innovation to understand the value of their creations and the importance of securing and registering their IP rights.
The conference was inaugurated by Ms. Prerna Puri Wasu, Secretary (Information Technology), Chandigarh Administration. In her inaugural address she emphasized the importance of Intellectual Property Rights which have led innovations throughout the world and were at the heart of the global economy.
She further stated that the role of intellectual property rights becomes even more important in the context of Small and Medium Enterprises as the branding and theboundaries in the case of SMEs are not as prominent as they were in the case of large enterprises. The need for a system which recognizes and protects IPR including a proper enforcement of the IPR laws was emphasized.
Dr. Ajai Kumar Garg, Scientist E, Additional Director, Department of Electronics & IT (DeitY), Ministry of Communications & IT, Govt. of India highlighted the funding schemes promoted by the IT Ministry to help SMEs secure patents internationally.
Sh. Ashok Khanna, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Environment SMEs stated that the contribution of SMEs to the national GDP and employment generation is well recognized and we must work towards enforcement of the national IPR policy.
Mr Tabrez Ahmad, heading the IP office of Microsoft, Mr. Chris King, First Secretary Trade & Economics, Australian High Commission and Dr. K. S. Kardam, Deputy Controller of Patents & Designs, Intellectual Property Office, New Delhi also shared their experiences and gave an overview of the existing policy framework regarding IPR. A study paper on Intellectual Property Rights was also released on the occasion. Around 100 delegates from industry, regulatory agencies and academia attended the conference.