Seminar on IPR organised

A one-day sensitisation programme on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was organised on Friday where the speakers expressed their concern over the new WTO norms which they claimed would adversely affect the small industries in India.

The objective of the programme was to educate the existing and prospective entrepreneurs regarding the patents, trade marks, copyrights, industrial design, plant variety and geographical indications.

But the main focus of the programme was on the apprehension that small industries would be wiped out as they could not compete with the foreign companies.

"We will not get any government subsidy, reservation and preferences," said Pankaj Gupta, president of Indian Industries Association (IAA) of Uttaranchal which had jointly organised the meet with Small Industries Service Institute.

"We should warn all the small entrepreneurs to remain vigilant against the tough WTO norms," said JC Shirivastva, advisor, Indian Merchant Chamber.