Patent Office, Chennai, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry in association with NIIPM, Nagpur conducted a National Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights at Hotel Le Royal Meridien, Chennai on 9 January, 2009 (Friday) as part of Nationwide IP Awareness Campaign (2008-09). Nearly 150 persons from leading Companies, Pharma Sectors, Universities, Educational Institutions and Research Institutes attended the seminar. The Hon’ble Minister of State for Industry, Dr. Ashwani Kumar inaugurated the seminar and delivered Key Note Address. The Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks, Shri V. Ravi gave a Welcome Address to the gathering .The imauguration was followed by Technical Sessions in which the lectures were delivered on “Patenting System in India” by Dr. (Mrs) Malathilashmikumaran of M/s.Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan,“Biodiversity and Patents - Indian Scenario” by Dr. S.Bala Ravi, Advisor (Biodiversity) and Former Assistant Director General (IPR), ICAR,“Product Patenting in Pharmaceuticals” by Dr. U.P.Senthilkumar, Asst. General Manager of Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and “Technology Transfer and Licensing in Patents” by Mr. Surya Senthil of Jus Maxima Law Offices .An Interactive Session was conducted at the end of the seminar .At the end of the seminar, the vote of thanks was given by Shri K.M. Viswanathan, Deputy Controller of Patents & Designs.