Workshop on Developing the Ecosystem of IPR Commercialization in West Bengal

The Workshop on Developing the Ecosystem of IPR Commercialization in West Bengal was organized by Centre for Regulatory Studies, Governance and Public Policy, WBNUJS and DPIIT IPR Chair, WBNUJS on 6th of April, 2023. The intellectual property rights (IPR) system is an essential component for encouraging innovation and creativity. Commercialization of IPR is equally important, as it helps in converting ideas into a tangible product or service. In this context, a workshop on developing the ecosystem of IPR commercialization in West Bengal was organized at WBNUJS, Kolkata. The workshop aimed to identify the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in commercializing their intellectual property and find ways to overcome those challenges.
The main objectives of the workshop were:
1. To create awareness among entrepreneurs about the importance of IPR commercialization.
2. To identify the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in commercializing their intellectual property.
3. To find ways to overcome those challenges and create a supportive ecosystem for IPR commercialization.
4. To encourage entrepreneurs to file for patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

The workshop was graced by Patron in chief Prof. (Dr.) N.K. Chakrabarti, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, WBNUJS, and dignitaries such as Shri Piyush Pandey, IPS, Director Security, Govt. of India; Shri Sudipta Porel, Joint Secretary, DST, West Bengal; Shri Shourabh Banerjee, IPR Consultant, Candidate, Trademark Attorney, UK; Dr. Mahuya Hom Choudhury, Scientist, PIC, DST, West Bengal; Shri Partha Chakraborty, Vice President, Copyright Society, DPIIT, Govt. of India; and Dr Pinaki Ghosh, DPIIT IPR Chair Professor, WBNUJS, West Bengal. The Convener was Dr. Jayanta Ghosh, Head and Research fellow, CRSGPP, WBNUJS.
Each of the speakers delivered their point of view focusing on a specific aspect of IPR commercialization. The workshop was addressed first by our Prof. (Dr.) N.K. Chakrabarti who introduced perspectives on IPR commercialisation and the goal of the workshop to everyone. Thereafter, all the dignitaries were felicitated by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) N.K. Chakrabarti.
The first speaker Shri Piyush Pandey, focused on creating awareness among entrepreneurs about the importance of IPR. He shared his experience of IIT Bombay incubation centre where they focused on developing IP policy and factors that benefitted IIT entrepreneurs was Industry, Social environment, Institute’s support, Government support.
The second speaker Shri Sudipta Porel focused on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in commercializing their intellectual property. He identified various challenges such as lack of robust IP ecosystem lack of funding, lack of knowledge about the market, and lack of support from the government. He said Bengal is not first in the list in Patenting but good in publishing papers and statistics.
Our third speaker Shri Shourabh Banerjee gave a perspective of the western world. He focused on how trademark can be used as a tool for developing Startup. He highlighted the importance of preliminary research, cost analysis etc and asked to focus upon public policy issues, anticompetitive issues, registrability issues, infringement issues before filing for a trademark registration. He pointed out the challenges faced by the Indian market with regard to trademarks and how we are not able to leverage the policies and lack at awareness level.
Dr Mahua Hom Chowdhury was the next speaker and she talked about the role of WBNUJS to collaborate with DST for GI and other IP commercialization. She highlighted the challenge faced by businesses i.e., for IP strategy companies need proper business model. The problem has to be identified first and the data to be collected from universities so that commercialization could be done in a better manner.
Shri Partha Chakrabarty talked about the role of government in balancing the IP policy and public interest. He said the IP provisions are strict in India so that public interest is not harmed. Due to this India’s progress in IP matters are slow but in a positive manner. Dr. Pinaki Ghosh concluded the workshop by focusing upon the importance of community debt financing rather than individual money lending.
The workshop concluded with discussions upon having supportive ecosystem for IPR commercialization. The workshop identified various ways in which the government and other stakeholders can support entrepreneurs in commercializing their IPR. The guests extended their support to WBNUJS to attain the objective and the workshop was a success and it will go a long way in promoting innovation and creativity in West Bengal. The final vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Jayanta Ghosh (Head & Research Fellow, CRSGPP, WBNUJS). He thanked Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of WBNUJS for his constant support, Smt. Sikha Sen (Registrar, WBNUJS), the dignitaries and speakers who graced the workshop, the organising team, and the support staff of WBNUJS.