Intellectual Property Rights: The Fuel for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

On 10.11.2025 a session was organized on the title “Intellectual Property Rights: The Fuel for Innovation and Entrepreneurship” by the Institution Innovation Council in association with Entrepreneurship Development Cell and Electronics and Communication Engineering department. The session was handled by Dr R Prem Ananth, IIC Convenor, Assistant professor/ ECE, Francis Xavier Engineering College. 41 I ECE B students and 2 faculties participated in the program. This event was coordinated by Dr. Pradeep T Rajan, Assistant Professor, Department of ECE, Francis Xavier Engineering College.

The resource person began the session by introducing the concept of IPR and its significance in safeguarding inventions, designs, and creative works. He explained the different forms of intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, using simple and relatable examples. He differentiated utility and design patents through the example of a car where a utility patent protects the functional mechanisms like the engine or braking system, and a design patent safeguards the car’s unique aesthetic features such as its body shape or dashboard layout. He also explained the concept of plant patents with practical examples from the agricultural sector, emphasizing their importance in protecting newly developed plant varieties.

The speaker further illustrated the concept of trademarks with familiar brand examples, explaining how they help in building brand identity and consumer trust. He highlighted the Coca-Cola trade secret as a classic example of how companies safeguard confidential business information for competitive advantage. To explain copyrights, he referred to the case of Ilaiyaraaja’s musical works, emphasizing that creative compositions and artistic creations are protected under copyright law. The session provided students with valuable insights into how IPR not only encourages innovation but also enables inventors and entrepreneurs to benefit from their creativity. Overall, the program enhanced students’ understanding of intellectual property and motivated them to integrate IPR awareness into their future innovations and startup ideas.