International governance approach required to address issues arising from data generation globally: DG, WIPO
Nov 14, 2018
NEW DELHI, 14 November 2018: Mr Francis Gurry, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) today stressed upon the need foran international governance approach towards issues arising out of data generation globally.
Speaking at an interactive session on 'Intellectual Property and The Fourth Industrial Revolution' organised by FICCI, Mr Gurry said that addressing data questions is going to require a government model. Since paradoxically more and more questions relating to data are arising at the international level there is a need for a global approach to address them, he added.
Mr Gurry said that for any economy to embrace the new industrial revolution it is imperative that they adopt Science, Technology and Innovation as part of their central strategy for development. Referring to the long-standing relationship between FICCI and WIPO, he said that there would be further prospects to do joint work to ensure a conduciveenvironment for Indian industry in the emerging environment.
Mr Rajiv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India highlighted the scope of Industry 4.0 and stressed on the need for companies to adopt the latest technologies as soon as possible. Highlighting the commitment of the government, he said that the pace of granting new patents had improved significantly and the fastest patent has been granted in just 93 days.
As the world today sits on the cusp of a technological revolution, it becomes important for the Indian businesses to adapt to this revolution so that it benefits the society at large. Indian companies are increasingly adapting 'Disruptive Technologies' to become more efficient and competitive along with the use of Robotics, AI, Block Chain which proves that India is on the path of adopting the technological advancement and the fourth industrial revolution.
Mr Narendra Sabharwal, Chair, IPR Committee, FICCI and Former Deputy Director General, WIPO said that technology will complicate the IPR laws but in the long run it will be beneficial and effective. He said India today stands third in terms of start-ups right behind the US and UK and majority of the start-ups in India are based on the use of hi-technology viz. Robotics, AI and Block chain.
WIPO, which is the body for International IP norms, has been steadfastly working on developing a balanced and effective international Intellectual Property (IP) system that enables creativity for the benefit of all. The Government of India has increasingly been taking initiatives to create IP awareness and inculcate a culture of innovation in India. The discussions, which had the participation of representatives from the Government, industry, academia and other IP stakeholders, provided an excellent opportunity to deliberate on the changes foreseen in the area of intellectual property rights, both in the way IP rights are perceived and managed, as well as the opportunities and challenges that would arise, as the Fourth Industrial Revolution gains momentum.
The event also provided an insight on how the WIPO leadership and the Indian government interpreted the role of intellectual property in the evolving global order in the new industrial order. The general agreement was that the Fourth Industrial Revolution would certainly have enormous implications to the future of intellectual property rights and all stakeholders would need to be sufficiently prepared to face the expected changes.