According to WTO, Intellectual property rights are the rights given to persons over the creations of their minds. They usually give the creator an exclusive right over the use of his/her creation for a certain period of time. The objective of IPRs is to protect the intangible creations of human intellect.
Intellectual Property Rights encompasses two main areas:
- Copyrights and rights related to copyrights: The rights of authors of literary and artistic works such as books and other writings, musical compositions, paintings, sculpture, computer programs and films are protected by copyright for a minimum period of 50 years after the death of the author. The rights of the performers like actors, singers, musicians, rights of producers of phonograms and broadcasting organisations etc. are called rights related to copyrights and are effectively come under the ambit of IPRS.
- Industrial Property is another important area of IPRs. It is subdivided into two main areas. They are:
a). Protection of distinctive signs like trademarks and geographical indications
b). Inventions, Industrial Designs and Trade Secrets.
The social objective of protection of copyright and related rights is to encourage and reward creative work. The protection of distinctive signs aims to stimulate and ensure fair competition. It protects consumers by enabling them to make informed choices between various goods and services. Protection for the results of investments in the development of new technology which would provide incentive and means to finance research and development activities. It would also facilitate the transfer of technology in the form of foreign direct investment, joint ventures and licensing.
With the intention of promoting the ethical behaviour, to promote ethical standards at workplace and to create awareness about the legal mechanism provided by the Indian constitution to safeguard the intangible creative knowledge among the future business leaders, Poornaprajna Institute of Management decided to establish Intellectual Property Rights Cell on 10th February 2014.
The IPRS Cell of PIM has been formulated with the following objectives.
- To Create Awareness about IPRS among the teaching, nonteaching staff and students of the institution
- To spread awareness about legal support available for protection of intellectual property rights.
- To promote academic freedom and support for the inventor in creation and commercialisation of intellectual property
Working Committee of IPRS Cell of PIM will consist of 7 key members
- Director/Principal of PIM
- 4 senior faculty members of PIM
- 2 student representatives.