News from India and Pakistan

The IPKat has received a notice concerning a forthcoming event in Ooty, India. He learns that

"The Society for Technology Management (STEM), India's premier and pioneering technology transfer forum, will be hosting its flagship international program, the Graduate Course in IPR and Technology Transfer, at Hotel Sullivan Court, Ooty, India from 13-16 April 2008. The four-day program will examine the role of Intellectual Property as a strategic technology transfer tool using case studies, best practices and interactive discussions.

The world-class faculty for the programme is comprised of senior IP practitioners, decision makers and academics drawn from the US, EU and Asia. All faculty members are senior professionals having years of experience and expertise in intellectual property management and technology transfer. This programme is aimed at research heads, technology transfer officers, IP managers, technology managers, regulatory affairs specialists, and senior policy makers engaged in IP policy development. Participants will be able to learn current best practices in IP and innovation management; accelerating commercialization through technology licensing and developing a policy framework to manage their intellectual assets. Details on the previous 2007 STEM IP programme, including faculty profiles, participant profiles and comments on the programme, are available online at http://www.stemglobal.org/".

The IPKat is also grateful to his Indian friend Ayan Roy Chowdhury for drawing his attention to this piece from Telegraph India concerning the ongoing dispute over Kashmiri handicrafts. Both India and Pakistan lay claim to Sozni shawls, for which the Jammu and Kashmir Craft Development Institute has sought geographical indication status. Also in dispute are Pashmina and Kani shawls. A possible solution to the dispute may be found if it can be established that shawls made on each side of the India-Pakistan border are of the same character and quality.