Stronger capacity-building efforts needed for robust IP enforcement framework: Madras HC judge

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Tamil Nadu Technology Development & Promotion Centre (TNTDPC) conference on Auto Tech-IP Trends
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Madras High Court judge Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy called for stronger capacity-building efforts to ensure an adaptive and robust Intellectual Property (IP) enforcement framework, citing the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements.

“The transition to software-defined vehicles necessitates a robust legal framework that not only protects but also facilitates accessibility to IP resources emphasising legal professionals must be equipped with the necessary expertise to adjudicate IP cases effectively, ensuring fair enforcement and a competitive innovation ecosystem,” he said.

Justice Ramamoorthy was speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Tamil Nadu Technology Development and Promotion Centre (TNTDPC) conference on Auto Tech-IP Trends with the theme, “Smart IP Powering Smart Mobility,” in Chennai.

Highlighting the multi-layered nature of IP protection, he noted that patents and designs require intensive research and development.

“Companies employ multi-tiered strategies to safeguard their innovations, making the role of IP offices, such as the Patent Office and Trademarks Office, crucial in granting legal recognition to these advancements. With Tamil Nadu alone accounting for 9,700 patent filings in 2024, the need for a well-structured IP ecosystem to support emerging innovations is crucial,” Justice Ramamoorthy said.

The 2021 Tribunal Reforms Act transferred 1,100 cases from the now-dissolved Intellectual Property Appellate Board to the Madras High Court’s Intellectual Property Division. Out of them, only 244 cases are pending (as of 2024), underscoring the judiciary’s efficiency in handling IP disputes, he said.

Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, said patent filings in India have surged from 6,000 in 2010 to over 104,000 in 2023, reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on innovation and research.

Research publications in India have also witnessed a dramatic rise, increasing from 60,000 in 2010 to 150,000 in 2023, he said.

C.N. Shashidhara, Joint Controller of Patents and Designs and Head of Office, Patent Office Chennai, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, said a streamlined patent classification system and timely examination processes are crucial to ensuring emerging innovations receive the protection they deserve.

“Partnerships between established corporations and emerging tech enterprises can accelerate IP commercialisation, fostering a culture of co-creation and investment-driven innovation,” said Vanita Venugopal, CEO, Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT).

Srivats Ram, VP, TNTDPC and Chairman-CII Tamil Nadu State Council and MD, Wheels India, highlighted the role of IP in securing funding and maintaining differentiation, while Shankar Venugopal, Conference Chairman and Vice President, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, delivered the opening remarks.