Latest news with #IPR
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
How IPR applications by Mother Teresa varsity faculty are helping Kodaikanal tribespeople
Deep inside Palani Hills in Kodaikanal taluk live a group of tribespeople who could have a livelihood boost due to a bunch of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) applications filed by a faculty member of Mother Teresa Women's University. A. Usha Raja Nanthini, Professor and Head, Biotechnology Department, has filed 150 separate applications under industrial design for jewellery made with naturally-occurring seeds. The project, funded by Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST), aims to train the tribespeople in jewellery-making and help them market their products through a website. Five tribal women have come together to establish a company, Tulir, and registered it as a micro, small and medium enterprise. The website is being designed and will sell honey, nutmeg, lichens, benzoin resin (sambrani), and myrobalan (kadukkai), besides jewellery. Ms. Usha said, 'They live in 15-20 hamlets spread over Palani Hills and their population according to the 2011 Census was around 6,000. The children rarely go to school and they live a simple life collecting non-timber forest produce.' While being on a project to analyse different species of eucalyptus for anti-fungal properties, Ms. Usha and her team came across this habitation. Seeds of eucalyptus, adenanthera, coix and corymbia found in the area were colourful and tough, and they came in various sizes and shapes. 'An idea sparked: if we designed jewellery and taught them how to make them, they could sell the products for a living.' A few prototypes of the jewellery designs were submitted to the TNSCST in August 2023 and the Council approved the project in January 2024. Then began the tough task of bringing the villagers together. 'They were shy and would not entertain outsiders. So, we went through the tribal headman who helped us getting a few people,' Ms. Usha elaborated. The training for the villagers began in January, and she filed the IPR applications through the IPR cell set up by the Council at the university in March. 'The idea of setting up these cells is to protect our intellectual property and use them for the benefit of the people,' said S. Vincent, Member Secretary, TNSCST. The council has already set up 40 such cells. Fifty villagers from Pethuparai Bharathi Annanagar and Pallangi-Kombai hamlets have been trained in jewellery-making, Ms. Usha said. As an aside, members of a women's self help group from Vadakounji and Vadajaraparai were trained in apiculture (beekeeping), in collaboration with sisters from Society of Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI). The people living in these hamlets largely belonged to the Pazhiyar and Puliyar tribes and have been eking out a living, collecting lichens, soap nuts, gooseberry, honey and other non-timber forest produce and selling them to intermediaries for a pittance, Ms. Usha said. 'The place is so remote that the nearest bus stop is 29 kilometres away. Very few have studied till high school,' she added.
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Firms affected by IPR violations could press criminal charges as victim: SC
The Supreme Court has ruled that a company can be called a 'victim' under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and file an appeal against an acquittal order in criminal cases, including intellectual property rights (IPR) violations. This means that corporate entities affected by IPR violations could now pursue criminal proceedings as the victim. A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra was hearing a plea by Asian Paints, which had suffered losses due to the accused selling counterfeit paints. Asian Paints moved the apex court against the Rajasthan High Court's judgment dismissing its appeal against the acquittal of one Ram Babu, who was allegedly found selling counterfeit paint products under the brand name. The High Court had dismissed the appeal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC, reasoning that an agent of Asian Paints, and not the company, was the "complainant", and therefore the company could not file an appeal against the acquittal. The Supreme Court, while disagreeing with this reasoning, questioned whether the appellant would fall under the definition of 'victim' in terms of Section 2(wa) read with the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC, or whether Section 378 of the CrPC would prevail in the present case. ALSO READ: The proviso to Section 372 grants victims the right to appeal against acquittal of the accused, conviction for a lesser offence, or inadequate compensation. If the court orders insufficient compensation for the victim, the victim can appeal. The apex court bench held that 'Section 2(wa) of the CrPC has thoughtfully accorded an expansive understanding to the term 'victim' and not a narrow and restrictive meaning.' 'In the present case, there cannot be any two opinions that ultimately, it is the Appellant who has suffered due to the counterfeit/fake products being sold or attempted to be sold as having been manufactured by the Appellant. The Appellant would suffer financial loss and reputational injury if such products were bought by the public under the mistaken belief that they belonged to the Appellant's brand,' the apex court judgment said. Asian Paints, a manufacturer in the paint industry for over 73 years, had engaged an IPR consultancy firm, M/s Solution, to track and take action against counterfeiters. During a market investigation in February 2016, the firm found counterfeit products resembling Asian Paints' trademarks at the shop of "Ganpati Traders" in Tunga, Rajasthan, owned by the accused Ram Babu. After a police inspection, 12 buckets of allegedly fake paint were seized. The trial court acquitted Ram Babu, after which Asian Paints challenged the decision in the High Court. The High Court dismissed Asian Paints' appeal, prompting the company to move the Supreme Court. Advocate Ajay Singh and his team from Singh Law Chambers represented Asian Paints (petitioner), while Advocate Thakur Sumit and others appeared for the respondents.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IPR violation: Supreme Court upholds Asian Paints right to appeal as 'victim'
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled a company can be called a victim under the Code of Criminal Procedure and file an appeal against an acquittal order in criminal cases including intellectual property rights ( IPR ) violations. A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra, therefore, allowed the appeal of Asian Paints and set aside the verdict of the Rajasthan High Court, which dismissed its appeal against the acquittal of one Ram Babu, who was allegedly found selling counterfeit paint products under the brand name. "A neat question of law of significance is raised herein, namely, as to whether the appellant would fall under the definition of 'victim' in terms of Section 2(wa) read with the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC or whether Section 378 of the CrPC would prevail in the facts and circumstances of the present case," Justice Amanullah in the judgement said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Retirees Can Potentially Minimize RMD Taxes SmartAsset Learn More Undo Clearing the legal position, the verdict pointed out corporate entities affected by intellectual property rights violations could pursue criminal proceedings as the victim. Asian Paints, a leading manufacturer in the paint industry for over 73 years, engaged an IPR consultancy firm, M/s Solution, to track and take action against counterfeiters. Live Events During a market investigation in February 2016, the IPR consultancy firm found counterfeit products resembling Asian Paints' trademarks at the shop of "Ganpati Traders" at Tunga in Rajasthan. It was owned by accused Ram Babu. Following a police inspection, 12 buckets of allegedly fake paints were seized. However, after the trial and a subsequent appeal, the trial court acquitted Ram Babu. Asian Paints challenged the acquittal, but the high court dismissed its appeal, saying only the original complainant and not the aggrieved company could file such an appeal. The top court said the term "victim" under Section 2(wa) of the CrPC includes any person, natural or juristic, who suffers loss or injury due to the alleged offence. Asian Paints, as the entity whose brand and reputation were harmed, squarely fits this definition, it said. "In the present case, there cannot be any two opinions, that ultimately, it is the Appellant who has suffered due to the counterfeit/fake products being sold/attempted to be sold as having been manufactured by the Appellant. The Appellant would suffer financial loss and reputational injury if such products would be bought by the public under the mistaken belief that the same belonged to the Appellant's brand," it said. The order continued, "We are constrained to observe that the finding of the High Court that the Appellant could not have maintained the appeal before it would amount to completely negating the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC..." It is clear that the right to appeal accrues on the "victim" from the instance of a court acquitting the accused, the top court added.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Punjab School Education Board to create eco-system for protection of students' ideas
The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) on Thursday organised a special session titled 'Rethinking education framework for next generation learning' to help students turn their ideas into real products and protect them from being copied. 'Every student has a unique mind. We want to help them turn their ideas into reality and make sure no one steals them,' said Amarpal Singh, chairman, PSEB. (HT) The board shared that it was working to build a system to actively help students think freely, create new things and get support to protect their work legally. 'Every student has a unique mind. We want to help them turn their ideas into reality and make sure no one steals them,' said Amarpal Singh, chairman, PSEB. In an inspiring session, students and teachers learned how creative projects and inventions made by children can be turned into real products. Dr Ruchi Sharma, an expert in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), explained in simple words how students can register and safeguard their own creations, whether it's a science model, an app or a small invention. This session was part of PSEB's larger mission to make education more meaningful and modern — not just based on books and exams, but on creativity, innovation and real-world learning. A proud moment came when Mayank Sharma, a student from GGSSS, Dhuri, took the stage. With guidance from his teacher Kiran Bala, Mayank built a project called 'Depression Detector' using artificial intelligence (AI). His tool helps understand if someone might be feeling low or mentally unwell. The audience clapped as he told his story — from learning basic coding to creating a meaningful project that could help people. The chairman said, 'We want every child in Punjab to believe that their ideas matter. We will help them create, build and protect their inventions.' To support more brilliant students, PSEB has decided opening of more Atal Tinkering Labs in schools. These labs are spaces where students can use tools and technology to turn ideas into real projects. Raminderjeet Kaur from SCERT Punjab also shared that schools will now work more actively to help students think creatively and develop their problem-solving skills.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
GI tag sought for Sivakasi-Kovilpatti matchboxes
The Kovilpatti National Small Match Manufacturers Association has filed an application seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Sivakasi-Kovilpatti matchboxes. According to IPR Attorney P. Sanjai Gandhi, the GI tag is being sought for matchboxes produced in Sivakasi and Kovilpatti. Sivakasi/Kovilpatti matchboxes are referred to as Sivakasi Matchboxes. According to the filing, the term Sivakasi Matchbox has been used for more than 100 years and the processing, preparation, and manufacturing happens in Sivakasi taluk, which also spreads to Sattur and Virudhunagar taluks (Virudhunagar district), Kovilpatti and Ettayapuram taluks (Thoothukudi district), and Sankarankovil taluk (Tenkasi district). Sivakasi matchstick splints are precisely cut from locally-sourced softwoods, including Indian Malabarica Poplar and Aspen. These woods are chosen for their ideal density, smooth texture, and consistent combustibility, ensuring a clean and steady burn. The match heads are formulated with a scientifically calibrated blend of potassium chlorate (as an oxidizer), antimony trisulfide (for friction sensitivity), sulfur (for flame stability), and high-quality binders like casein gum powder or gum arabic, which ensure controlled ignition and minimal sparking. The friction strips are coated with a uniform layer of red phosphorus and powdered glass, creating a reliable striking surface that prevents accidental ignition while guaranteeing a near-instantaneous flame when struck correctly. Details in the filing mentioned that the structural integrity of Sivakasi matchboxes is reinforced by the use of high-GSM (240–320 GSM) kraft paper or cardboard for both the outer and inner boxes, providing durability and resistance to deformation. These boxes are often treated with wax or paraffin coatings to enhance moisture resistance, preventing dampness from affecting the matches' performance even in humid conditions. Additionally, the boxes are designed with precise tolerances to ensure a snug fit for the matches, reducing splint breakage and maintaining consistency in packaging. Each batch undergoes multiple tests, such as strike rate analysis (achieving over 95% success), burn time measurement, and chemical stability checks to ensure uniform performance. The splints are uniformly cut to 38–46 mm in length with minimal deviations, while the moisture content is kept below 5% to prevent degradation and maintain ignition reliability over extended storage periods.
