National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata recently held a workshop with Max Planck Institute on Intellectual Property, Competition and Tax Law.

The workshop kick started with an introduction by Prof. Shamnad Basheer, followed by Felix Kahle, Representative, Max Planck Society and a special keynote address by P.H. Kurian, Controller General of Patents and Trademarks.

Speaking to Bar & Bench, Prof. Shamnad Basheer said, “This is the second NUJS IP conference organised by the NUJS IP Chair and the IPTLS (Intellectual Property and Technology Laws Society). Last year, it was a more specific topic (Indian Bayh Dole Act) and the speakers were mostly from India. This year, we decided to ramp it up to an international level and tie up with the Max Planck to bring in some young scholars working  in various areas of IP, innovation and creativity. Next year, we’ll do the first IP policy moot ever in the world. We believe in new and innovative offerings each year. And hope that all of this will keep our students enthused and contribute in some way to a more sophisticated and sustainable IP policy for India and perhaps the world”.

Shayonee Dasgupta, organiser of the workshop and presently in fourth year law at NUJS speaking about the conference said, “The conference was a wonderful platform to bring together some of the best in the field of IP policy making. We were privileged to have the Controller of Patents and Trademarks, P.H. Kurian deliver the keynote address and several other eminent personalities from the IP world partake in the various sessions. It was a real treat to see the participants ranging from college graduates to officers at the European Patent Office to throw up some really interesting perspectives and questions".

Shayonee added, "As the organizer of this workshop, it felt wonderful to help arrange such a stimulating dialogue here at NUJS. The Intellectual Property and Technology Laws Society at NUJS is committed to such future collaborations for a meaningful IP policy making. On a personal note, it gave me a great sense of satisfaction when the efforts of my extremely hardworking team were well appreciated by every individual at the workshop. I truly look forward to the IP Policy Moot next year!

The workshop was a two day event held at NUJS, Kolkata between the 19^th and 20^th of November.