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Importance of intellectual property rights stressed
| MUMBAI: While many of today’s speakers dwelt on various technologies Richard Owens took a different route by focusing on protecting the copyright of content in the digital era. |
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Owens is head of copyright, e-commerce, technology and management division World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Emphasizing the fact that digitisation has contributed to the growth of piracy, he said that file sharing mechanisms on the net increase the magnitude of the problem. He estimated the music industry to be losing around 10 billion pounds each year. As bandwidth increases Owens warned that the film fraternity was next in the firing squad. WIPO has two Internet treaties signed in 1996 which India is not a part of. These are WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performances and Phonograms treaty. The aim is to prevent tampering of rights management information. It also aims at circumvention of copy and access controls. This refers to digital encryption. “Our aim to is to promote respect for copyright at a time when perfect copies can be made and distributed across the globe. Another challenge we face is that of content neutrality. There is also the problem of collective management of copyright. Also to what extent do we hold ISPs responsible for the illegal content that passes through their gateways and facilities? This has been a subject of raging debate over the last few years,” said Owens.  Another problematic area pertains to the rights of artistes not covered by the two acts previously mentioned. Protection attached to content creation must be platform neutral. We are looking at expanding our business models in the form of watermarking, DRM Technology,” he added. Owens also spoke about the broadcast sector as pertaining to their rights to prevent signal piracy saying,” A new international treaty has been in the making for ten years. The last treaty was the Rome convention way back in 1961 and many changes have occurred since. The problem I have is how does one separate the signal from the content being carried on it. Do we also apply the definition of a broadcaster to include webcasters, cable casters?” Owens also spoke of the WIPO dealing with controversy over domain names. Already 4000 cases of cyberquatting have been arbitrated. He gave the example of Lagaan where the businessman who had usurped the name had nothing to do with the film whatsoever. This has been done by the organization forming the uniform dispute resolution policy. The organization is also working on making domain names in other scripts such as Chinese and Arabic. |
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
