Understanding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is the need of the hour for geoscientists -- Nature and scope of intellectual property rights -- Review of recent developments in registration of inventions and protection of IPR in India -- An introduction to patenting system of India -- Copyright laws of India: an introduction -- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and its role in promotion and protection of IPR -- Historical evolution of intellectual property protection and the road to TRIPS -- TRIPS and its implementation on IPR regimes of developed and developing nations: an overview -- IPR in the era of globalization -- Impact of enforcement of IPR on developing countries -- Issues and implications of IPR: a review -- Current and future trends of intellectual property rights management and governance -- Protection of biogeoresources -- Suggested courses of action for familiarization of IPR.

Studies have shown that there is a perfect link between strong IPR regime protected by the me of 3aw and economic development of a country. India is still at nascent stage when compared with the IPR regimes of developed economies. Hence, governmental and intergovernmental initiatives in association with commerce and industrial bodies are being taken up for creating awareness on IPR. As a signatory to many international treaties and eonventions, India has modified many existing IPR laws and codified new ones to foster protection of Indian traditional knowledge and innovations emanate from research and professional institutions of India. Even though the researchers of software, pharmaceutical and bionomical fields are leading the pack of most number of planet applications received at Patent Offices in India, requirement of such awareness in other fields is necessary. It is feit that ignorance on legal and administrative procedures involved in fi?ng for IPR is a major issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Although articles and books are written on the eonventions/treaties and on the irnportance of IPR and its protection, non-availability of IPR information in the fprm of a concise ready reference on IPR/patents/designs/ copyrights/trade marks and Saws, application forms and procedures thwarts common-man to understand IPR and related issues. Enhanced awareness on IPR laws and copyright procedures would help fi?ngs for IPR by scientists, teachers and researchers. Pub?cation of this volume is an attempt to alleviate this ignorance and spread information on IPR, which may help the needy to understand the intricacies of IPR and apply for IPR.