A National conference on intellectual property rights organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce ( ICC), in association with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, under the theme ‘2021-22’, was held at Life spring Corner, Dimapur on 27th January. Eminent speakers from all over the country and Nagaland participated.
There was a good number of intellectuals , entrepreneurs (both seasoned and upcoming ones) and students attended the conference. The ICC along with the support of MSME- DI conducted this conference to bring awareness to the entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs about the importance of IPR. The conference touch the various facets of the IPR and how it will help the businessess to grow in its full advantage.
The conferences’ technical session touch upon the processes and legal issues of the said law. It was a fruitful session with speakers such as joint director of MSME- DI Mr Taliwati Longchar giving a brief highlight about the scope that the state has for getting GI tagged on our various products such as our handicrafts, traditional wear and tribal jewellery. Padmashri Awardee Smt. Sentila Yanger, founder of Tribal Weave, Chairperson of ICC- NE handlooms and Handicrafts committee spoke on the need to patent your creative products as it has become more easy than ever to replicate and reproduce it. She gave great emphasis on getting your hardwork and creativity protected by getting it patented, GI tagged and availing the Intellectual property Rights facilities.
Mr Benthugo Kithan Executive Member of Business Association of Nagas (BAN) said on the importance of protecting company logos, promotional picture by trademarks. He said that IPR is the fuel our region needs and we need to harness and take full advantage of it and we need to see how we can protect our products. Dr. D. Ganga Assistant Professor ( Innovative Ambassador- Ministry of education, NIT Nagaland spoke on the role of technology in developing IPR. She laid emphasis on the importance of education institutes who play a major role in bringing innovative ideas. She laid emphasis on joining the technological advancements that the country is moving to with industry 5.0 now, India is entering into AI, 5 g communication and 6th generation of communication. So, we need to keep up with it. She hoped for the best Innovative ideas to come out from the young minds of the state in the educational institutions to take usher us into the better Nagaland. Mr Kekhrievor Kevichusa,IPOS ( Commissioner & Secretary) Department of Industries & Commerce, GON) said in the conference that his department have recently given the mandate to collect and record all the information needed for traditional wear, jewellery with the intention of getting them GI tagged which will start this year, this is a huge task but he said this need to be done. He noted that our traditional practices, cultural expressions need to be protected and GI tagged also play a big role. He noted that GI tagged has to be done first. He emphasized on creating more such conferences and need to be shared with the wider audience also.
Mr. P.K Bagchi, Designated IP Attorney, Indian Chamber of Commerce ( ICC)- Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre, Guwahati, emphasis on the urgency to protect your invention, a product, your innovation by availing Intellectual Property Rights so that noone can take your creativity. IPRs would play an important role in protecting the brand image and logo through trademark registrations, protecting inventions with the help of patents, and protecting appealing designs by legally registering the design, thus granting a level of exclusivity to the MSME in a competitive market.
The conference ended with a fruitful interactive session with the audience and the eminent speakers.
