Kuvempu University Vice-Chancellor Sharath Ananthamurthy inaugurated a workshop on Intellectual Property Rights at Government First Grade College at Holehonnur in Bhadravati taluk on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Sharath Ananthamurthy, Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Kuvempu University, has expressed concerns that the application of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to objects and ideas might go against the basic principles of democracy.
He spoke after inaugurating a day’s workshop on Intellectual Property Rights in a Contemporary Scenario organised by the Government First Grade College at Holehonnur in Bhadravati taluk on Friday.
Referring to German philosopher Walter Benjamin’s historical essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, Mr. Sharath Ananthamurthy stated that mechanical reproduction changed the way of experiencing art and distorted the concept of unique and original.
“In a way, the technology helped the art reach everyone. Walter Benjamin did appreciate the development, as technology of mechanical reproduction democratised the experience of art. However, today we are in a completely opposite state. The application of IPR might go against the idea of socialism, the idea that the constitution of democratic India upholds,” he stated.
Earlier, he said, the patenting was applied only for manufactured objects. However, now it could be applied to ideas as well. “The concept of IPR might deny common people the right to use many of the objects that they use regularly. This could be dangerous. Hence, I believe IPR is a challenge before us, and we need to view it critically,” he opined.
Further, Mr. Sharath Ananthamurthy felt that tracing the origin of an idea or an object could be a difficult task. “Saris that Indian women wear are the result of Islamic influence. Similarly, the ideas that we believe originated in Greece had links to our ancestors in India. And at the same time, Indians had trade links with China. Occasionally, the efforts to trace the origin of an idea could end up being a futile exercise, he stated. He suggested the students study the intellectual property rights (IPR) and understand its implications.
B.M. Kumaraswamy, retired principal, elaborated on the history of patenting in India. Dr. Arundhathi, faculty of law at the Government Law College in Hassan, Sadvhi C. Kanth, IP attorney, delivered special lectures on the topic. Prathibha K.R. principal of the college presided. Coordinators of Internal Quality Assurance Cell Bharathi Devi, Asma Melimani and college faculty were present at the programme.
Published – April 04, 2025 08:23 pm IST