Naga entrepreneurs enlightened on the scope of IPR

Specials guests and resources persons at the awareness programme on “Intellectual Property Rights” at Hotel Saramati on Thursday.

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 3

Branch MSME Development Institute, Dimapur, in association with Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) DIPP, Ministry for Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, organized a one-day awareness programme on “Intellectual Property Rights” at Hotel Saramati on Thursday.

A host of special guests including managing director, NIDC Dimapur, CM Lotha; general manager, DIC Dimapur, T Achumi; deputy director, KVIC Dimapur, Athuba Lusang and president, SPV Wood Carpentry Cluster, Alem Longkumer, addressed the entrepreneurs comprising mainly from the carpentry units. 

Dwelling on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), CM Lotha said to produce or innovate something is not an easy task and needs lots of research. He said countries like China and Japan give special focus on research and development before commencing production or manufacturing. 

The NIDC managing director said in recent years, India too has started focusing on research and development unlike in the past when the country was known to manufacture ‘copycats’ of brands and products from other countries.

Pointing out to the scope for patenting and IPR of the traditional attires of various Naga tribes, Lotha however said as far as possible one should not attempt to incorporate or mix the distinct designs and motifs of different tribes into a single product. He also said earlier, the process of seeking for patent rights was a costly affair but presently with the Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises offering financial support, patent or IPR registration has become easier for entrepreneurs. 

GM, DIC Dimapur, T Achumi, said in the present competitive world where friends or enemies alike are always on the lookout to steal one’s idea or creation, IPR protection is of paramount importance.

Deputy director, KVIC Dimapur, Athuba Lusang, said whatever products or goods an entrepreneur manufacture and produce, they ultimately have to be sold and therefore the need to have patented brand names and labels to protect the products from being duplicated and losing credibility. Lusang also appealed the local entrepreneurs to study indepth the guidelines of any scheme before applying for the same.

President, SPV Wood Carpentry Cluster, Alem Longkumer, shared the problems faced by entrepreneurs including the unwillingness of banks to sanction money or loans. Longkumer also requested officers of various departments to identify genuine entrepreneurs while allotting schemes.

Earlier, director in-charge, MSME DI Imphal & branch MSME DI Dimapur, Tali Longchar, in his welcome and introductory note, said in today’s competitive business scenario, issues pertaining to IPRs have become quite critical for the sustainability of MSMEs. 

Longchar said the Government has been making efforts to improve the intellectual property culture in India with objectives to enhance the awareness of IPRs amongst the MSMEs to encourage creative intellectual endeavour in Indian economy, and also to take suitable measures for protection of ideas, technological innovation and knowledge-driven business strategies developed by MSMEs.

Assistant director, Br MSME DI Dimapur, Sabaigiri M, proposed vote of thanks in the inaugural session.

Later, in the technical sessions, Rajesh Mittel, consultant for IPR & ZED, the guest faculty of the IPR awareness programme, dwelled on patentability criterion novelty, difference between inventions and discovery for patents, reasons for protection under IP laws and design rights and criteria for design and trademark registration.