Rohtak varsity hosts event on intellectual property rights

Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) celebrated World Intellectual Property (IP) Day on Saturday with an engaging discussion on the intersection of intellectual property rights (IPR) and the media industry. The event, hosted by MDU’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (DJMC), featured distinguished speakers and academic experts who highlighted the role IPR plays in safeguarding creativity, fostering innovation and maintaining ethical standards in the media.

Titled “Intellectual Property Rights and Media,” the interactive session explored how copyright, trademark and patent laws influence content creation, distribution and protection in today’s digital era.

Prof Vikram Kaushik, a prominent media educator from the Department of Mass Communications at Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJU), Hisar, emphasised the importance of IPR in creative industries. He discussed how IPR laws such as copyright, trademark and patents are essential for protecting literary works, music, art, films, brand identities and inventions, fostering innovation and ensuring the protection of original content.

The head of the DJMC, Prof Harish Kumar, took the audience on a journey through India’s intellectual property heritage. He noted the contributions of India’s diverse languages, which have produced a wealth of intellectual works across various subjects, underscoring the country’s unique IP legacy. He also touched on the rising challenges of piracy and content infringement, particularly with the proliferation of digital platforms that make content sharing and pirating more accessible.

Dr Kavita Dahiya provided practical examples of how IPR influences media and entertainment, illustrating real-world applications of intellectual property rights in content creation and distribution.

Assistant Professor Sunit Mukherjee, spoke about the significance of copyright, trademark and patent laws for media professionals. He emphasised the need for understanding IPR laws and best practices to ensure compliance and to promote creativity.

Dr Amit Bhardwaj discussed the challenges posed by globalisation on IPR, stressing respecting intellectual property rights is crucial for the media industry to continue thriving. Dr Naveen Kumar provided insights through case studies demonstrating the impact of IPR on media content creation and the opportunities that digital platforms, such as streaming services, present for creators.

Haryana Tribune