Folks, we have an exciting bit of information for you – we recently brought to you the news about the launch of GNLU’s IPR Centre and we’re glad to say that another National Law School has recently inaugurated its Centre for IPR as well !
We were recently made available with the Press Release on the official inauguration of The Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) at NUALS. Where on one hand, the government’s lax attitude has resulted in little effort being made to fill MHRD’s multiple IP chair vacancies, resulting in the stagnation of IP-policy related development on its part, – it is rather reassuring to watch law schools like GNLU and NUALS recognize the immense potential that IP research has in India, and take the initiative to get their own IPR Centres up and running (On the note of MHRD IP Chairs lying vacant, we have a post on this coming to you soon from the faculty of a top law school).
“More so, it’s great to see that the CIPR has begun its activities with a qualified Chair in place already – Ms. Athira P.S., Assistant Professor at NUALS. Do check out her rather brilliant Superlawyer interview here!
Justice Prabha Sridevan inaugurated the Centre in the morning session. This was later followed by a panel discussion in the afternoon session by Swaraj, Agitha and Raghul.
CENTER FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS INAUGURATED
The Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) the most recently formed Centre for excellence of the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), was inaugurated today by Justice Prabha Sridevan, former Judge, Madras High Court and former chairman of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) here at the NUALS campus, Kalamassery, Kochi.
Mrs.Athira.P.S, Director (i/c) of the Centre delivered the welcome speech. Prof. (Dr.) Rose Varghese, Vice-Chancellor, NUALS delivered the Presidential Address. She emphasized the need to focus on research. She urged to make this Centre a research and mainstream documentation Facility. Justice Prabha Sridevan delivered the inaugural address. She applauded the new initiative and deliberated the nuances and possibilities of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in India. She asserted that India’s strength lies in its unique unpatented inventions.
Swaraj Barooah, Editor-in-charge, Spicy IP, Dr.V.S. Sebastian, Dean Faculty of Law, CUSAT and Dr. M.C. Valson, Professor, NUALS addressed the gathering. Ms. Preethu Pradeep, Vice President, NUALS Student Council delivered the vote of thanks.
The inauguration was followed by a panel discussion on the ‘Draft National I.P.R Policy’ commissioned by the DIPP, Government of India. Dr. V.R Jayadevan, Professor, NUALS moderated the discussion. Dr.T.G.Agitha, Associate Professor, IUCIPR, CUSAT, Swaraj Barooah, Editor-in-charge, Spicy IP and Raghul Sudheesh, Associate Editor, Bar & Bench were the panelists. The draft National IPR Policy prepared by the DIPP Think tank was subjected to criticism. Raghul Sudheesh stated that barring a few qualified personnel such as Justice Prabha Sridevan, the very constitution of the Think Tank, is open to criticism, as it contains people who are not qualified to be a part of such an expert panel, while leaving out much more experienced and erudite scholars in the field.
