The Role Of Intellectual Property Rights In Improving Environmental Protection

Bhavya Singla, Amity Law School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

ABSTRACT

Human beings are an integral part of the environment. However, in the current scenario, human beings are the biggest culprits of environmental degradation and exploitation. Development along with its perks has brought the drawbacks of Industrialization in form of pollution, emission of Greenhouse Gases, release of harmful waste from the industries and the list is indeterminable. Though it is impossible to reverse the damage, steps can be taken to prevent further harm to the environment. The need of addressing environmental issues at an international level was felt for the first time in the 1970s which resulted in the first global conference on environmental related issues- ‘the stockholm conference’. Ever since then, numerous conferences, agreements and steps have been initiated to deal with the burning issue.

Promoting the importance of green technology is one such initiative. Green technology or clean technology is a term used to signify a product or service which is environmentally friendly having less or zero adverse effects on the environment. Electric vehicles, Solar panels, and biogas are a few examples of such technology. However, every creator desires the fruit of his labor and here comes the role of intellectual property rights. Intellectual property rights not only grants economic rights upon the author but also fosters encouragement and innovation among the inventors.

This research paper aims to study the role of various intellectual property rights in the protection of the environment and the numerous initiatives taken on national and international level. The paper also suggests some recommendations that can be adopted to strengthen IPR’s role in the protection of the environment.

Keywords: IPR, Green technology, green patent, pollution, innovation.