WHY IS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) IMPORTANT TO STERLITE TECHNOLOGIES?

When it comes to instances of homegrown innovation successfully competing in global hi-tech arena, a few stand taller than Sterlite Technologies. Sterlite commands leadership position in telecom and power products, boosts 450 m USD revenue (FY14), has connected 75+ countries and has ~100 patent assets in her name. Sterlite operates in highly technological driven sectors and her growth depends on the ability to innovate quicker than most of the competition. Patent assets help us develop and sustain our competitive advantage by protecting our best-in-class products and thus enable us to maintain leadership position in these highly competitive sectors.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE STERLITE TECHNOLOGIES’ APPROACH TOWARDS IP?

Sterlite’s Intellectual Property including patent assets, trademarks and technical information are resources that enable us to grow and remain competitive. We are very protective of our innovations and inventions, while being respectful to third party IP.

Sterlite is undergoing a transformation in terms of growth, product offerings, technology, Intellectual Property and so forth under the leadership of our CEO – Dr. Anand Agarwal. No stone is being left unturned to realize his vision. This has resulted in plethora of innovations happening at every level in the organization. We are taking a proactive approach to capture these innovations and protect most promising of these innovations through patents.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY SO FAR AS AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LEADER?

Fascinating, Passionate and Fulfilling!

I got into Intellectual Property more than a decade ago, and received the opportunity to work on business, legal and technical aspects of IP with various organizations.

My IP journey started with Evalueserve in the year 2005, after my 3 years stint in Reliance Industries. This experience in Evalueserve gave me ample opportunities to work with best of the IP minds in the world, who would single mindedly strive to leverage IP for business objectives. Sylvia Chen and Indira Saladi, Mororola’s IP Attorneys, had profound influence on me which helped me shape my perspective towards IP. ‘Building patent portfolio is just a means to a larger end’ was the learning that has been a guiding principle for me till now.

My next assignment was with Moser Baer. As part of Corporate Strategy group, we went onto develop and monetize our global patent portfolio, negotiate and enforce patent licenses. Leveraging Intellectual Property became an integral part of business DNA. A few great mentors noticeably Mr. P.M.Pai (Advisor) and Dr. Raj helped me recognize various facets of my capabilities. In my current assignment, as Head of IP at Sterlite Technologies (Vedanta), I’m focusing on growing optical fiber and optical fiber cable patent portfolio and protecting differentiated features of our new products and product platforms. The pace of transformation in Sterlite is incredible and keeping up with the pace is both challenging and exciting.

DO YOU FEEL THAT THE ROLE OF IP LEADERSHIP IS EVOLVING IN TODAY’S BUSINESS SCENARIO? AND IF SO, HOW?

Reducing shelf life of technology products; dramatically altered competitive landscape due to emergence of China and tightening IP regimes in China and India is keeping IP Leadership on toes. Being in IP is not only about keeping close track of changing landscape, but we also need to act swiftly.

In India more and more organizations are waking up to IP, mostly as a reaction to patent infringement lawsuit threatening their products or denying them market access. This presents an opportunity as well as a challenge to IP leadership. On one hand IP leadership get enough elbow room to build portfolio, on the other hand Return on Investment time frame is expected to be 3-4 years (typical for manufacturing asset investment). IP leadership needs to be highly focused, result oriented and build patent portfolio that can be leveraged against the competition.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE EXPLORING A CAREER AS AN IN-HOUSE IP PROFESSIONAL?

These are very exciting times for IP professionals esp. in India.

IP is a niche domain in India and professionals with right skill set and a right attitude are difficult to find. The demand of IP professionals will explode as more foreign companies invest in India and ‘Make in India’ campaign picks up. My suggestion to young professionals is – build a solid IP foundation and learn to apply IP concepts to business, you will soon be way more successful than your peers.