The post is co-authored by Ms. Zoya Nafis, LexOrbis Associate and Ms. P. Vennela, fourth year student of Amity Law School, Delhi.
One of the emergences on the horizon of Indian education system is the idea of introduction of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) at school level. Various stakeholders who are seized of the matter have become active in deliberations and discussions that are taking place in the Board Rooms.
DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion), one of the policy makers in this regard, has proposed that IPR should be introduced at an early time say, for the students of class IX. NCERT and CBSE – the boards of education in India – accordingly, are mulling over the suggestions of DIPP.
The thought stems from the perception to create awareness in the young minds to support the innovation and research in this high-niche field of IPR – a potential creator of wealth engendering public good. The larger ambit of this plan is to encourage the young minds to appreciate the importance of this field as also the attendant impediments, and encouraging the students to consider the field of IPR as a career to choose from. It is expected that such an eventuality would address various issues such as impending proliferation of counterfeit products which are a threat to the society. These citizens-of-tomorrow can turn into effective patent examiners making use of emerging technological solutions.
While there is no second opinion on the importance of this sun-shine sector, the present debate is if we are putting too much on the plate for the students. It is for the policy makers to take a comprehensive view in the matter and dynamically consider the proposal. However, the quantum and methodology of the subject to be introduced has to be worked out with all the stake holders.There appears to be a general a view that introduction of IPRs, not as a subject but as a topic in the core subject, augurs well, to begin with.
A primer on Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Geographical indications, Designs, Trade secrets, etc., is expected to arouse interest in the young minds and ignite them to expose them to one of the sunrise areas having potential not only for career seekers but also for business makers.