Press Release

Intellectual Property is the key to open the gateway for Atmanirbhar Bharat and Amrit Kal: Prof. (Dr) Unnat P. Pandit CGPDTM GOI

Intellectual Property is the key to open the gateway for Atmanirbhar Bharat and Amrit Kal: Prof. (Dr) Unnat P. Pandit CGPDTM GOI

Ahmedabad, 26 April 2024: “World IP day and this year’s theme is ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity’. As economies work towards SDG, on each of the goals hardly 12-15% growth has happened. It’s high time that we find solutions with technology, innovation and creativity to achieve the desired outcome from SDG. IP and innovation play a crucial role in fostering creativity, promoting economic growth and addressing global challenges. We must ensure that we have an efficient and effective mechanism which is accessible to each one of us. A mechanism that addresses SDG problems related to climate, zero hunger, no poverty, clean water and good health which are all essential areas that need IP driven solutions. IP is the key to open the gateway for Atmanirbhar Bharat, for Amrit Kal and next two decades each one of us are going to be part of this transformation that is going to happen through intellectual property.” said Prof. (Dr) Unnat P. Pandit Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (CGPDTM), Govt. of India at the IPR Conclave organised by ASSOCHAM Gujarat Council.

Talking about the development in the sector, he says “It was taking 9 to 11 years for getting a patent. There was huge pendency and we have worked on addressing those administrative challenges, required technological aspect and bring transparency into the system so that applicants get the rights granted by the government and also enjoy that right. In FY 2023-24, we have granted 1 lakh patent in one year. In 2014, per year grant was around 6 thousand and within 10 years you can see the growth and where the country is moving. In one year, we have 90300 new patent applications meaning every six minutes one scientific research or technology or innovative product seek IP protection in India, showing faith in the Indian economy for commercialising the product. In a year we grant around 3 lakhs trademarks.”

“Today we have gathered to recognise the Geographical Indication of Kutch Ajrakh, a 5000-year-old art which is a significant identification of Gujarat. It is such an iconic product of art and one of the most valued products of our country. It is an honour for me to sign off this GI registration.” He added.

Shri Nakul Sharedalal, Chairman- IPR Committee, ASSOCHAM Gujarat Council said, “Since taking the chair of the Assocham IPR Gujarat Council in 2015. I saw that MSME, and SMEs in Gujarat were looking forward to understanding what Intellectual property is and we have conducted several seminars on IP. In the last 10 years we have travelled a lot and today when we conduct seminars, we can see that the industry has progressed so much in terms of understanding Intellectual property.”

Ms. Shaina Shah, Business Head International Centre for Entrepreneurship & Career Development (ICECD) said, “I faced the real challenge of Intellectual property when I became a film maker. I realised that a film is not just the shooting of it, everything that you create, whether it is the sound of footsteps, the background sound, the music or photographs. As a producer I hoped everything can be monetised and everything can be pirated. I have been obsessive about putting watermarks on everything that left my studio, eight years and 3 films later none of my films have been pirated. Every film logo has been trademarked and every film has been copyrighted. The film industry is a huge source of employment and revenue generation involving thousands of cast and crew members.

Other eminent speakers at the conclave includes Shri Anuj Sharedalal Chairman- Financial & Regulatory Affairs Committee ASSOCHAM Gujarat Council, Shri Sunil Shah, Chairman – Gujarat Innovation Society, Dharmendra D. Mandaliya Joint CEO Gujarat Knowledge Society among others.