WITH Indian software services companies going global and transnationals expanding operations here calling for increased focus on patents, complexities associated with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) related to IT and allied areas have necessitated creation of specialised focus teams. Further, this has opened up scope for consultancy firms to assist them in the patent regime.

Mr Patrick Lloyd, Partner, Reddie & Grose, a European Patent attorney in the area of software and experts from Lex Orbis, an IP practicing group, met with representatives from IT and bioinformatics industry to address issues relating to the IP Rights.

This assumes importance as the recent TRIPS (Trade related aspects of IPR) compliance amendments to the Indian Patents Act, brought in changes with regard to the patentability of computer software.

At a meeting hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Andhra Pradesh Technology Development and Promotion Centre, on "A gateway for IP Protection in the Genomic and Cyber Space", Mr Lloyd said while creating IP in itself is one critical aspect, the issue of filing for patents and acquiring it is of strategic importance as this could enhance business value.

Often while corporations file for patents, they do not want to acquire them in haste since they would like to appropriately modify to suit the business demands.

In maintaining and defending its networks, Poyry is skilled at adjusting to the times. Official gatherings such as the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro provide rich opportunities for the firm to lobby for the diversion of public funds to itself in the guise of 'environmental aid'. In 1993, it began to publish a confidential quarterly report on environmentalist thinking and activities, aimed at a clientele of wealthy forestry companies, and based partly on information gathered by monitoring NGO publications, watching environmentalists' electronic mail conferences, and sending queries to environmental groups (9)

Forest degradation is associated with the activities of loggers, timber consumers, paper companies, and multilateral agencies. Often overlooked is the role of a much lower-profile set of actors: forestry and engineering consultancy firms.