ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai organized a workshop on “Role of Design, Copyright and Trademark: Scientific and Entrepreneurial Perspective” on 16th May, 2023 in line with DARE-ICAR Campaign for Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav India@75. This workshop was arranged by ITMU and ABIC of the Institute with Support from National Agriculture Innovation Fund, Intellectual Property and Technology Management Unit of ICAR, New Delhi.
The programme started with ICAR song. Dr. A. K. Bharimalla, Principal Scientist, Officer I/c ITMU and PI-ABI and PI-CEO, R-ABI welcomed all the delegates and he elaborated on the theme of the workshop. At the outset, Dr. S. K. Shukla, Director, CIRCOT, Mumbai Chairman of this function opined the importance of Design, Copyright and Trademarks with regard to commercialization of technologies. Dr. Neeru Bhooshan, Assistant Director General (Intellectual Property & Technology Management) ICAR, New Delhi who had joined virtually praised the attributes of ICAR-CIRCOT in strengthening IP activities of ICAR. Further she also narrated that ICAR is now substantially commercializing the IP enabled technologies. She also advised that one project of the scientist should have one IPR either in the form of Patent, Design, Copyright and Trademark. At the end she also expressed One scientist should mentor one startup which is the priority of the present Government.
Guest speaker, Dr. Ashwini Siwal, Assistant Professor, Faculty of law, University of Delhi gave an elaboration on different aspects of IPR such as Novelty, No obviousness, Inventive steps, Industry applications. He stressed on importance of First to File in global scenario of patent application. Further he categorically explained significance of different aspects of IPR viz. Copyrights, Trademarks and Design with different examples. Dr Vikram Singh, Senior Scientist, IP &TM unit, ICAR, New Delhi deliberated on IPR portfolio management and its impact on agriculture research.
More than 120 participants including scientists, technical officers, students, YP, SRFs, startups and incubates associated with R-ABI and ABIC and other stakeholders of the institute attended the program through Zoom link.