Scholastic Synergy Series - Idea to Intellectual Property Rights I

The Scholastic Synergy Series, organized by the School of Commerce, Finance & Accountancy at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), presents a thought-provoking and academically enriching session titled “Idea to Intellectual Property Rights – I.” This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to nurturing an ecosystem that values creativity, encourages innovation, and promotes interdisciplinary learning. As intellectual property becomes increasingly significant in knowledge-driven economies, understanding its principles is essential for students, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The session aims to enhance students’ awareness of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and illustrate how original ideas can be transformed into legally protected intellectual assets. This aligns with broader institutional and national goals of fostering quality education, strengthening innovation-focused infrastructure, and empowering youth to contribute meaningfully to the creative and entrepreneurial landscape.

The event features an insightful talk by Dr. Niraj Kumar, Assistant Professor and Head of the IPR Cell at KPRCAS, Coimbatore. With extensive academic expertise and hands-on experience in intellectual property management, Dr. Kumar brings a holistic perspective to the discussion. His session guides students through the essential stages of conceptualizing an idea, refining it, and assessing its uniqueness in comparison with existing creations. He further explains how innovators can navigate the procedural, legal, and administrative steps required to secure intellectual property protection. Through practical examples, case-based explanations, and relatable scenarios, Dr. Kumar offers students a clear understanding of how intellectual property functions in both academic settings and industry environments.

A major highlight of the session is the detailed exploration of various categories of IPR. Students are introduced to patents, which protect scientific and technological inventions; copyrights, which secure literary, artistic, and digital works; trademarks, which safeguard brands, logos, and business identifiers; industrial designs, which protect the visual appearance and aesthetic features of products; and geographical indications, which highlight products linked to specific regions. For each category, the purpose, scope, legal requirements, and real-world relevance are explained, helping participants understand which form of protection is suitable for different types of creative outputs.

The session also places strong emphasis on the importance of ethical academic conduct, including the need to avoid plagiarism, properly cite sources, and respect ownership of intellectual materials. Students learn how protecting research outputs not only preserves the integrity of academic work but also encourages innovation by ensuring that original contributors receive due recognition. With the rise of digital content creation, start-up ecosystems, and research-based learning, such awareness becomes crucial for young innovators.

By integrating academic knowledge with real-life applications, the session encourages active participation from students across disciplines particularly those interested in research, startups, product development, and creative industries. Dr. Kumar’s insights enable students to appreciate the strategic relevance of IPR in entrepreneurship, where legally protected innovations can attract investors, build competitive advantage, and open avenues for licensing and commercialization.

Overall, this session serves as a valuable platform for empowering learners to recognize the potential of their ideas, understand the need for legal protection, and apply this knowledge to their academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pursuits. It enriches students’ understanding of how innovation contributes to societal progress and how IPR frameworks help secure the contributions of creators and inventors.