The Commerce and Industry Ministry has taken several steps to protect intellectual property rights (IPRs) and promote innovation in the country, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu said today.
He said the ministry is engaging enforcement agencies including police department for proper administration of IPR laws.
"Innovation needs legal protection. We are now working on administrating the laws properly. We are modernising patent offices," the commerce and industry minister said at a CII function here.
He said the ministry is undertaking a series of awareness programmes on IPR related issues.
"We have called police officers from states to sensitise them about IPRs," he added.
The minister also awarded special citations for significant achievements in IPR.
Those who received the citations included Ghaziabad Distrcit Magistrate Ritu Maheshwari; Vijaywada City Police for combating network of drug mafia engaged in manufacturing and selling counterfeit medicines; and Sabyasachi Couture for designs.
Kanthi Rana, an IPS officer posted in Vijaywada, said that they are taking steps to increase awareness about crimes related to IPRs.
"We take all complaints related to IPR very seriously and act as per laws," he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)