The Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medino, in association with the Institution Innovation Council (IIC-PEC), conducted a guest lecture on “Basics of Intellectual Property Rights and Its Importance for Innovators and Entrepreneurs” on Monday, November 18, 2024. The session was attended by students from the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology.
The resource person for the day, Mrs. Pooja Devi, Director of The Grad Xpress, Trichy, created awareness among the students about the need for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to protect their innovations and creations. She discussed key types of IPR, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and industrial designs, and emphasized their importance for innovators and entrepreneurs.
Mrs. Pooja Devi encouraged students to identify the pain points of problems and resolve them with innovative ideas. She shared her experiences of establishing a startup and her active involvement in the E-Cell during her college days. Her insights inspired students, particularly her emphasis on knowledge sharing and dedicated efforts towards labeling and packaging of final products.
The session also covered crucial topics such as patent filing, TN RISE, MSME certification, and DPIIT certificates. She motivated students to explore their innovative ideas, approach different incubator centers, and develop their concepts into complete prototypes with the help of funding rather than loans.
Mrs. Pooja Devi highlighted the importance of protecting one’s creations through patents and understanding the legal implications of copying patented logos, taglines, and other intellectual property. To connect with the pharmaceutical background of the audience, she discussed several herbal-based brands, detailing their evolution and market protection.
Additionally, she extended an invitation to the students and staff coordinators for the launch event of Grad Xpress and offered a one-day visit to her startup. She also provided project ideas for students to explore and further develop.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A session where students actively engaged with the guest speaker, gaining valuable insights into the world of IPR and innovation. Mrs. Pooja Devi wrapped up the session with the inspiring takeaway message:
“Innovation needs protection, and IPR provides the shield innovators need to thrive.”
