National IPR Policy, 2016

The Union Government has approved National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, 2016 to boost the IP regime and to push innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in India. The first of its kind policy in the country seeks to fortify legislative and legal framework of IPRs. It will encourage their commercialization and reinforce enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for IPR infringements. The National IPR Policy will endeavour for a “Creative India; Innovative India: रचनात्मक भारत; अभिनव भारत”.

This policy laid down the following seven significant objectives to be achieved in time to come:

1. IPR Awareness: It seeks to create public awareness about the industrial, social, economic and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society. It seeks to outreach IPR to every segment of country and to promote it among people.
2. Generation of IPRs: It calls stimulation for the generation of IPRs.
3. Legal and legislative framework: It seeks to have strong and implemented legal and legislative framework for IPRs to protect the interests of public as well as right owners.
4. Administration and Management: It facilitates a transparent, stable and service-oriented IPR administration in the country. It promotes more effective management measures by encouraging the development and adoption of standards including those for the appropriate use of advanced technologies.
5. Commercialization of IPRs: It provides for the promotion of inventions and creations through the provision of appropriate value for IPRs by their commercialization.
6. Enforcement and Adjudication: It makes a strong and secure adjudicatory and enforcement mechanism to combat the IPR infringements.
7. Human Capital Development: It seeks to expand and strengthen human resources, capacities and institutions for teaching, research, training and skill building in IPRs. Recognises abundance of innovative and creative energies in the country and prioritizes the need to tap and channelize these energies towards a better and brighter future for all.

By Sonali Srivastava.