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  • MNLU, Nagpur-DPIIT-IPR Chair conducts Three (03) Days Virtual Workshop on Nuances of Patent Processing from October 26-28, 2020

*Participants from all over India took part in the Workshop

Three Days Virtual Workshop on ‘Nuances of Patent Processing’ was conducted by the Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, under the aegis of DPIIT-Chair for Intellectual Property Rights, from October 26 - 28, 2020. The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Ragini P. Khubalkar, In-charge of IPR Chair. The workshop was free for all and it accommodated students and Ph.D. Scholars from all over India.

Eminent speakers and experienced lawyers helped students to understand the nuances of Online Patent Filing and Processing. The event was organized under the guidance of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Vijender Kumar. This was the first program conducted by the IPR Chair at MNLU, Nagpur after the grant of Chair by the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

On the first day, the workshop was inaugurated by Mr. O.P Gupta, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, India. He commenced by introducing two facets of Intellectual Professionals that is Patent Officers and Legal Professionals, who protect intellectual property by claiming and registering patents. He also insisted that all professionals, while protecting of intellectual property, shall pay attention to the reasons for policy making by government in the area of Intellectual Property.

Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan, Vice Chancellor of HNLU, Raipur, in his key note address discussed 'Policy and Practice of Patent-Understanding the Dichotomy'. He commented that Policy and Practice has always been in conflict as what is the part of the policy may not be practiced. He then listed down some of the most common dichotomies which became the premises for policy making. One of which is 'incentive v. access’, which he explained by mentioning the concerns of many people towards not patenting the COVID-19 vaccine to make it accessible to all.

Dr. PankajBorkar, Deputy Controller of Patents & Head RGNIIPM, Nagpur, discussed the significance of IP and career options revolving around it. He expressed his concerns over the lack of awareness towards it. He has discussed at length the filing procedure for patent and technicalities involved in it.

Day 2 was having complete focus on drafting Claims for grant of Patent. Mr. Sukhdeep Singh, Assistant Controller of Patent, said that patent drafting is an art which helps one in drafting accurate specifications, which is the basic requirement for grant of patents. He listed three bedrocks of patent drafting that is Enablement, Support, and Witten disclosure.

Day 3 focused on ‘Patent filing and Litigation’. Mr. AdheeshNargolkar Partner of the IP team in Khaitan& Company, Mumbai was the resource person. He discussed the issue of 'documenting the invention' and filing infringement suits in this area. He also discussed 'what an appropriate filing strategy'. He threw light on concepts like 'doctrine of equivalents', 'pith and marrow', and 'doctrine of purposive interpretation'. He listed down actions which can be taken by a patentee whose right has been infringed.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. DivitaPagey, Assistant Professor of Law, MNLU, Nagpur. For the success of the program the students committee worked day and night.