IPR for Managers

The School of Business and Management (MBA), CHRIST (Deemed to be University), in collaboration with the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) Pune Lavasa Campus, organized an insightful and intellectually stimulating session titled “IPR for Managers: Turning Ideas into Business Assets” on 29th August 2025. This event was conceptualized and delivered as part of the IIC initiatives that foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry preparedness among management students. It was further aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, thereby placing the discussion within a broader global development framework.

The session was facilitated by Mr. Sheheen Marakkar, Assistant Professor, School of Law, who brought a strong blend of academic knowledge and practical insights into Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). His expertise enabled participants to explore how intellectual property, often regarded as a legal or technical subject, is in fact a crucial business and managerial concern.

The primary objective of the event was to equip MBA students with an understanding of Intellectual Property Rights and their role in safeguarding innovation and creativity in the corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystem. In a knowledge-driven economy, intangible assets such as ideas, designs, brands, and innovations are often more valuable than physical assets. For managers and entrepreneurs, the ability to protect and strategically leverage these intangible resources can directly influence competitiveness, growth, and long-term sustainability.

Mr. Marakkar carefully explained the different forms of IPR — including patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, geographical indications, and trade secrets — and their implications for businesses. He emphasized that while legal frameworks provide protection, the real power of IPR lies in its ability to be monetized and transformed into business assets. Through illustrative case examples from industry, he demonstrated how companies have used patents to safeguard innovation, trademarks to build brand equity, and copyrights to protect creative outputs. He also discussed emerging trends such as the growing importance of trade secrets in technology-driven businesses and the role of geographical indications in promoting regional products.

One of the session’s most valuable aspects was its managerial perspective. Rather than approaching IPR as a purely legal matter, the discussion highlighted how business leaders and managers can integrate IPR into decision-making, strategy formulation, and competitive positioning. This allowed students to recognize that IPR is not confined to legal professionals but is a shared responsibility of corporate leaders, product developers, and entrepreneurs.

The interactive nature of the event made it particularly engaging. Students actively participated in discussions and raised pertinent questions about how startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can cost-effectively protect their intellectual property. Mr. Marakkar addressed these queries by highlighting affordable legal mechanisms, government support initiatives, and global best practices. He also touched upon recent legal cases and international developments in IPR, which gave participants a broader and contemporary perspective.

From an academic standpoint, the event contributed to cross-disciplinary learning, bridging law, management, and entrepreneurship. MBA students were encouraged to adopt a holistic perspective on how legal awareness can strengthen their managerial decisions. For aspiring entrepreneurs, the session served as a reminder that protecting intellectual property is as important as raising capital or developing markets. For future consultants and managers, it emphasized the need to view intellectual assets as key drivers of business valuation and long-term sustainability.

Overall, the session was a valuable learning experience that underscored the strategic role of IPR in today’s competitive environment. It encouraged students to think innovatively while being mindful of legal and ethical considerations. The session also reinforced the fact that managers are not only decision-makers but also custodians of intellectual assets within their organizations. By aligning innovation with protection, businesses can ensure that creativity leads not only to market success but also to sustained competitive advantage.

The event successfully achieved its objectives by enhancing awareness, stimulating intellectual curiosity, and preparing students for the evolving demands of global business. It stood out as an excellent example of how academic initiatives, when aligned with industry relevance and global goals, can create lasting impact on learners.