Chümoukedima, May 17 (MExN): The Institution's Innovation Council (IIC) in collaboration with the Department of Botany, St Joseph University, Chümoukedima organised a workshop on ‘protecting Intellectual Property Rights and IP management for start-ups in agricultural sciences’ on May 16.
The workshop aimed to equip students, research scholars, and faculty with foundational knowledge on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and the importance of protecting innovations in agricultural sciences. It also emphasized the strategic role of IP management in enabling start-ups to secure and commercialize their inventions, stated a press release received here.
The resource person, Dr Niranjan Kumar Chaurasia, Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Nagaland University, Medziphema outlined various categories such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, geographical indications (GIs), and industrial designs. He cited local examples like Naga King Chilli, Tree Tomato, Naga Sweet Cucumber, and the Chakhesang Naga Shawl to illustrate the practical application of GIs in protecting indigenous products.
He explained the procedures involved in patent filing, and delved into specialized areas like Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR), particularly relevant for agricultural startups. His session also addressed common scams in patent filing, charges involved, and fee exemptions available to farmers and researchers.
Participants gained critical insights into how IPR can be used to attract investors, secure market position, and generate revenue turning innovations into sustainable enterprises. The session concluded with a discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the field of IP protection for agricultural sciences.
