From the Director’s Desk

Global IP Convention 2011 is the stepping stone and is third in series being pioneered by ITAG for creating a platform for learning and networking amongst the IP professionals at global level. In the 21st century, when the global economy is driven with innovation and technology, it is right in spirit that India should spearhead such events at a place like Bangalore which is the knowledge hub of the country. It is a matter of great pleasure that the event is being inaugurated by none other than the Commissioner of Patent at USPTO Mr. Robert L. Stoll along with galaxy of top experts in the field from around the World. The timing of the conference coincides nearly with the World IP Day which is celebrated on April 26. It will soon be followed by another convention at Singapore in September this year, the capital of the East.

The subjects to be covered in the conference are from idea to asset encompassing all relevant topics including valuation, commercialization, technology transfer, litigation, counterfeiting, analyzing the techno, legal and commercial solution to all associated problems in the field of intellectual property. The conference will deal with complex issues in simple manner about patentability of business methods, software and emerging field of technologies namely electronics, telecommunications, green technologies, nanotechnologies and pharmaceuticals. The emerging BRICS economies need to provide IP competitiveness to the Western Nations through innovation and creativity.

The world of global patent is expanding. There are above 6.7 million patents in force across the world. In a recent ceremony at WIPO Headquarters on April 14, 2011, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry awarded a certificate to mark the two millionth filing to Qualcomm, the US innovation company in the domain of wireless technologies. However it is a matter of great concern that the total number of potentially pending applications across the world stood at 5.94 million in 2008. The pace of globalization and the cross border supply of services along with increased level of flow of trade and investment coupled with transfer of technology is now an integral part of the international trade where IP plays a key role.

ITAG is hopeful that the conference will be a grand success providing an opportunity for value addition to the society and enlighten the participants with the knowledge and wisdom emanating from the deliberations to be initiated by various luminaries in the relevant fields of IP and related technologies.

-Dr. D. R. Agarwal