India offers promising opportunities for independent IP practitioners, according to Jaya Bhatnagar, our latest Featured FICPI Member and Council Member-FICPI (India) of the Month.

Jaya explains:

“The fact that India is growing economically at a faster pace, with a huge inflow of IP work, will bring in a sea change for independent IP practitioners.

“Under the ‘Make it India’ era, start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, education institutions, and other sectors are making a mark by building their IP portfolio, both domestic and internationally.

“This creates the opportunity for independent practitioners to build relationships with clients by expanding and offering boutique IP services.”

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Jaya is the Founder and Chairperson of SiebenIP, based in New Delhi, India.

She has a particular expertise in patents and designs, having founded her own firm after working at Anand And Anand Advocates, a leading full service IP law firm.

Jaya’s education includes degrees in Chemistry and Law, and additionally holds a Bachelor Degree in Education.

ADDING VALUE TO CLIENTS

Jaya cites client satisfaction as being the benchmark of adding value – including the building of long-term business relationships, grounded with faith and trust, making such an impact that the client reaches out even for non-IP topics.

Looking back on recent client IP challenges that offered satisfaction in resolving, Jaya recalls a case from the COVID pandemic:

“During Covid-19, one of our design clients underwent a de-merger of its well-established consumer goods business. 

“Under the ‘special privileged group’ category, the client held a large design portfolio. The IP challenge was to establish the change of ownership in more than 280 design and patent matters.

“At that time, the Indian Patent Office online portal supported basic requirements for design matters.

“My firm, SiebenIP, took up the challenge to physically submit the requests with evidence, along with court orders, to affect such change in proprietorship that resulted ‘by operation of law’.

“Since physical offices were not functioning, we provided complete support to the client to meet the deadline for filing physical requests, with the limited resources and other barriers created during the pandemic.

“While the change of name was still under process, the client submitted yet another change. This created the need for another bundle of requests to be initiated.

“Being able to meet the deadline in a timely and efficient manner, we established cohesive relationship with the client.

“We resolved all the concerns raised by the Indian Patent Office and the client was satisfied to have the proprietorship changed in several Design and Patent matters.”

No wonder Jaya says proudly that she enjoys it when her clients ‘simply smile’, when promised that her firm’s service is uncompromising in terms of quality, confidentiality, cost and time, with an overall approach based on simplicity.

 

VALUE OF FICPI MEMBERSHIP

Jaya is active in FICPI and in the IP profession. 

She sits on FICPI’s Communication Committee and is a Council Member (India). Jaya also served as a sub-delegate twice at Executive Committee meetings in Hangzhou and Toronto.

She is past secretary of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA, Indian Group) and a member of its design committee.

Jaya describes the value of FICPI membership:

“The compassionate relationship between FICPI members is most adorable.  Members actively share knowledge and experiences resulting in immense wealth that in turn creates harmony.

“Members around the globe meet during FICPI events, internationally as well nationally, and ‘get charged-up’ until the next meeting. 

“Having witnessed such events, each time you bid goodbye with a shine in your eyes.”

FINAL WORD - OUTSIDE OF WORK

It is always intriguing to learn more about our FICPI global colleagues and what they get up to when not hard at work dealing with important IP matters.

Jaya is both a follower and a teacher of yog:

“I am an ardent yog follower, to the extent of being a yog instructor myself. I believe in serving mankind through yog. I am keen on learning the intricacies of yog and sharing what I learn with the yog followers to reap mental and physical benefits.” 

She also uses her business skills for the good of the wider community: 

“Being an entrepreneur, I am involved with non-profit organizations, charitable trusts and associations, including the Women’s India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WICCI) for which I spend time on environmental social responsibility initiatives.”

And the final word goes to Jaya and what she would like to share about herself with her fellow FICPI members:

“Abide by your duty, adapt to faith, confidence, patience and face every challenge as they come and, you evolve as a better human being, leading a meaningful journey.”