There is need for enhancing Indian Customs’ role in IPR enforcement, augmenting Customs officers' capacity building, leveraging technology, and devising strategies against IPR violations: Shri Surjit Bhujbal

Three-day conference will focus on various themes, including strengthening inter-agency coordination for effective IP administration and enforcement as well as capacity building in India

The three-day National Conference on Enforcement and Capacity Building in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was inaugurated by Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), at the new Campus of National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics (NACIN), Palasamudram, Andhra Pradesh.

The conference is expected to significantly shape and strengthen India’s policy and commitment towards IP protection while reinforcing the message that ‘Collaboration in the field of enforcement and Capacity Building are the keys to effective IP enforcement in India.’

In his address on the occasion, Shri Bhujbal, emphasised on the need for enhancing Indian Customs’ role in IPR enforcement, augmenting Customs officers' capacity building, leveraging technology, and devising strategies against IPR violations, while also aiming to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, rights holders, and international organisations for developing a unified approach towards IPR protection in India.

The three-day conference will focus on various themes, including strengthening inter-agency coordination for effective IP administration and enforcement as well as capacity building in India, engaging with rights holders as well as Customs officers to understand and address challenges faced by them in IP protection, through IPR training facilities at NACIN Palasamudram.

The conference will also cover aspects related e-Commerce, National IP database, among other things and will witness participation of senior officials from various government agencies, representatives from international organisations, industry associations, and right holders.

A key highlight of the conference will be NACIN Palasamudram’s state-of-the-art Immersive Training Centre dedicated to IPR enforcement. This cutting-edge facility is designed to provide comprehensive training to CBIC officers and other stakeholders on the complexities of IPR laws and its enforcement. The IPR Study Centre, within the facility, offers immersive learning experience through advanced technologies, Interactive LFD Walls, Flipbooks, and learning kiosks. The facility also includes a self-learning space with structured content on major IPR cases, enabling in-depth understanding and practical application of IPR laws.

IPR enforcement strengthened through Customs capacity building, inter-agency coordination, technology use and dedicated training facilities. Enhancement of IPR enforcement focuses on strengthening Customs' role, augmenting officer capacity, leveraging technology, and fostering inter-agency and stakeholder collaboration to devise unified strategies against IPR violations. A central operational measure is a new Immersive Training Centre and IPR Study Centre providing technology-enabled, case-based training for Customs and stakeholders; conference themes include capacity building, e-commerce enforcement challenges, and development of a National IP database to support practical IP administration and enforcement.