Two-day special lecture series on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) issues on the eve of World Intellectual Property Day 2026

The Centre for Intellectual Property Studies (CIPS) organized a two-day special lecture series on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) issues on the eve of World Intellectual Property Day 2026. Dr. Pankaj Kumar, a leading IP expert and DPIIT IPR Chair Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, conducted the two day session. The lecture introduced the foundations of IPRs as strategic tools for innovation and commercialization. Key areas covered included patents (utility vs. design, novelty, disclosure, and convention filings), industrial designs (protection for 10 years with a 5-year renewal), copyrights in service contracts, and the role of Geographical Indications (GI) and the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) in safeguarding traditional knowledge. Emphasis was placed on early publication, adherence to renewal timelines, and the critical role of IP in entrepreneurship, MSME growth, and academic innovation. Dr. Kumar underscored that intellectual property serves as a bridge between creativity and economic value. The observance of World Intellectual Property Day at National Law University Tripura adds a deeper institutional significance to the programme. Celebrating this day is not merely symbolic; it reflects a conscious academic practice of engaging with contemporary global IP discourse and aligning institutional priorities with innovation-driven development. By organizing such timely lectures, the university fosters awareness among students and researchers about the importance of protecting intellectual creations and encourages a culture of responsible innovation.