Published On : Mon, Aug 22nd, 2016

Ministry pushes for WIPO’s training academy in Nagpur!

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Nagpur/New Delhi: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has projected Nagpur as the city where World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) should consider opening a regional training academy. WIPO is one of the 17 specialised agencies of the United Nations (UN) created to encourage creative activity and promote the protection of intellectual property (IP) throughout the world. In its request the Ministry also suggested WIPO to set up an external office of WIPO in India.

Tracking the potential of Nagpur in terms of growth and geographical location, the city has been reportedly pushed forward to request WIPO to set a regional traning academy here, which remains within reach of most part of India.

Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce & Industry Minister, during her recent meeting with Francis Gurry, the director general, WIPO, said that it would be in the interest of WIPO as also global IP regime to have an external office of WIPO in the country. India has already submitted a formal proposal in this regard and is ready to offer free of cost premises for opening of an external office.

WIPO’s network of external offices forms an integral part of the organisation designed to bring its services and cooperation closer to its member states, stakeholders and partners. These offices provide cost-effective support services in relation to the PCT, Madrid & Hague systems; arbitration & mediation; collective management; and development & capacity building. At present, WIPO has five external offices globally located at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Moscow (Russia) and Singapore.

WIPO and the Indian IP office are co-operating with each other in training of various IP examiners and other stakeholders. To this end, an international training course will be organised in RGNIIPM jointly with WIPO Academy in September 2016. India has also requested WIPO to consider opening a regional training academy in Nagpur.

The Commerce Minister has also announced setting up of a task force on innovation to come up with suggestions and new ideas on best way forward in inculcating an innovative temperament in the country.