EMN
Dimapur, April 7
A daylong workshop about biotechnology and intellectual property rights was conducted by Biotech Hub and Patent Information Centre under the Nagaland Science & Technology Council (NASTEC), Directorate of Science & Technology in Kohima recently. The workshop was organized for seven schools in the town during March 17-March 31.
The technical session of the event was presented by Dr. Merino Visa, research scientist with Biotech Hub on Biotechnology. She emphasized on the importance of biotechnology as one of the emerging fields of science.
Pointing to the ‘very rich natural biodiversity of the state of Nagaland’ – a state located in one of the world’s hot biodiversity zones – she told the students that biotechnology can play a vital role in the economic development of the state.
Gihukali Chishi, technical in-charge of Patent Information Centre gave a discourse on Intellectual Property Rights. She presented how intellectual property rights are emerging as a benefit for the society and individual. He also talked about how rights can be infringed by others. He encouraged the gathering to safeguard “our property and protect our rights,” according to a note from the organizers on Thursday.
Members of organizations and academic institutions interested in activities in both fields may contact the NASTEC office for assistance. Their e-mail is nastec-ngl@nic.in
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is technology based on biology - biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products.
Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.
Currently, there are more than 250 biotechnology health care products and vaccines available to patients, many for previously untreatable diseases. More than 18 million farmers around the world use agricultural biotechnology to increase yields, prevent damage from insects and pests and reduce farming’s impact on the environment. And more than 50 biorefineries are being built across North America to test and refine technologies to produce biofuels and chemicals from renewable biomass, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Source:bio.org)
Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property rights are customarily divided into two main areas:
(i) Copyright and rights related to copyright
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.
Also protected through copyright and related (sometimes referred to as “neighbouring”) rights are the rights of performers (e.g. actors, singers and musicians), producers of phonograms (sound recordings) and broadcasting organizations. The main social purpose of protection of copyright and related rights is to encourage and reward creative work.
(ii) Industrial property
Industrial property can usefully be divided into two main areas:
One area can be characterized as the protection of distinctive signs, in particular trademarks (which distinguish the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings) and geographical indications (which identify a good as originating in a place where a given characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin).
The protection of such distinctive signs aims to stimulate and ensure fair competition and to protect consumers, by enabling them to make informed choices between various goods and services. The protection may last indefinitely, provided the sign in question continues to be distinctive.
Other types of industrial property are protected primarily to stimulate innovation, design and the creation of technology. In this category are inventions (protected by patents), industrial designs and trade secrets.
The social purpose is to provide protection for the results of investment in the development of new technology, thus giving the incentive and means to finance research and development activities.
A functioning intellectual property regime should also facilitate the transfer of technology in the form of foreign direct investment, joint ventures and licensing.
The protection is usually given for a finite term (typically 20 years in the case of patents).
While the basic social objectives of intellectual property protection are as outlined above, it should also be noted that the exclusive rights given are generally subject to a number of limitations and exceptions, aimed at fine-tuning the balance that has to be found between the legitimate interests of right holders and of users. (Source: WTO)
