Intellectual Property Rights defend investments in innovation by granting the ground breaker a short lived monopoly on the utilization of the innovation. This prevents speedy imitation that would take the innovator's returns and reduce the inducement to pioneer. Intellectual property rights (IPRs), such as patents and copyrights, are an important means used by researchers to help protect their investments in innovation. IPRs inherently embody a policy conflict between the target of providing an incentive to technological innovation and therefore the objective of encouraging the speedy diffusion of latest technology and therefore the accumulation of technological knowledge. These competing objectives can be achieved on a difficult path. It is vital to notice during this regard that IPRs are primarily a matter of national jurisdiction (i.e., the protection offered to an innovation is governed by the laws of the state during which the innovation is created, used, or sold). Thus, for example, a patent obtained from India provides protection only within the territory. If a corporation is doing business in another country, it must file for and obtain IPR protection in that country. Moreover, the protection offered by that country's laws in many cases is not as strong as Indian IPR protection. Some of the foremost important rising technologies—including those within the areas of data, electronics, communications, and the new biotechnology do not fit neatly within existing categories of intellectual property rights. They may force a valuation of current approaches in obtaining grant and for protection at national and international levels.
This apparent paradox reflects the complexities, conflicts, and uncertainties surrounding IPR issues as they pertain to science and technology and includes complicated and time consuming procedures. This Course is about the legislative frame work, challenges relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
- Teacher: Manas Unnikrishnan