St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) inaugurated its Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell, funded and supported by Department of Science, Technology and Bio-technology, Government of West Bengal and also organised a one-day workshop on Intellectual Property Rights on August 23, 2024.

The workshop aimed to educate participants on the importance of protecting, managing, and leveraging intellectual property assets effectively, thereby fostering innovation and ensuring legal compliance across various fields.

While delivering the inauguration speech, Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor, SXUK emphasised the crucial role of intellectual property rights in driving innovation, creativity, and economic growth. He highlighted the need to understand and utilize IP assets in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

The workshop was designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of IP law, protect their innovations, and maximize their potential.

Dr. Dipanjan Bhattacharya, Special Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of West Bengal provided a comprehensive overview of protecting, managing, and monetizing intellectual assets such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. He discussed the legal frameworks governing IP, strategies for securing rights, and the importance of IP in fostering competitive advantage. The workshop included three technical sessions.

Dr. Mohua Home Chowdhury, Senior Scientist, Nodal Officer at the Patent Information Centre, Government of West Bengal, elaborated on the profound influence of IP knowledge in empowering participants to safeguard and strategically utilize their intellectual assets, thereby fostering sustainable development and competitive advantage in various industries.

In the next session, Dr. Susil Kumar Mitra, former Dy. Controller of Patents and Design, Government of India and Professor of Practice, SXUK discussed how fostering innovation and creativity in academia through IP can empower students and faculty to protect and commercialize their ideas, ultimately enhancing the academic institution's impact on society.

The final session was chaired by Dr. Paramita Saha, Scientist, Nodal Officer at the Patent Information Centre, Government of West Bengal. She explored IPR cases and patentability assessments, discussing the criteria for determining whether an invention qualifies for patent protection.

Dr. Tuhin Utsab Paul