Mr. Praveen Raj R. S.

Mr. Praveen Raj
  • Mr. Praveen Raj R. S.
  • Scientist - F
  • 0471-2515218
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Profile
Profile Summary

R. S. Praveen Raj, Scientist at CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram is one of India's leading experts in technology transfer, intellectual property (IP) management and traditional knowledge protection. He has more than 25 years of experience as an intellectual property strategist, R&D manager and HR consultant.

Starting his career as an Electrical and Electronics Engineer, Praveen Raj later moved into research and development management. Before joining the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), he served as a Patent Examiner in the Indian Patent Office after a brief tenure at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) under ISRO.

His expertise extends across patent drafting, Intellectual Property monetization, technology valuation, IP litigation, Project management, R&D planning, Policy research, MoU/Agreement drafting, budgeting & financial planning, socio-economic impact study, strategic alliances and human resource management. As an honorary professor of the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), he has contributed significantly to capacity building and mentoring the next generation researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators across India.

One of Praveen Raj's most enduring contributions is his role as the architect of the Kerala Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, 2008, which introduced the innovative concept of Traditional Knowledge Commons. The policy has been discussed internationally, including by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as a distinctive model for protecting indigenous knowledge.

Praveen Raj advocates strongly for a 'sui generis' legal framework for protection and 'in situ' conservation of traditional knowledge (TK). He introduced the concepts of 'Knowledge Societies' by TK Custodians and Traditional Knowledge Docketing System (TKDS) as opposed to TK Digital libraries. His vision culminated in the development of the Protection of Traditional Knowledge Bill, 2022, which was tabled in the Indian Parliament by Dr. Shashi Tharoor as a Private Member's Bill. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a comprehensive legal mechanism for recognising, docketing, conserving, and protecting traditional knowledge and the rights of indigenous local communities.

He plays advisory roles in several national institutions, innovation councils, incubation centres, universities, and governmental committees. He also serves as an expert member on numerous panels related to patent policy, innovation management and technology commercialization

Praveen Raj has also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public interest through legal interventions and advocacy concerning the appropriate use of intellectual property laws in matters affecting cultural and religious heritage. He vehemently opposed the grant of Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 'Tirupati laddu' and trademarking of the picture of deity in Attukal temple, Kerala

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Honours/Recognitions
Profile Summary
  • Member of Editorial Board of Journal of Traditional and Folk Practices (JTFP), ISSN 2278-5906 published by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram under KSCSTE.
  • Member of Advisory body of incubation centre of ICAR-CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Member of Patent Advisory Committee of College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Distinguished member of KAPILA (Kalam programme for IP Literacy and Awareness) Committee of St. Thomas College, Pala
  • Expert member of the ‘IPR Awards’ committee of C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Course coordinator of the skill development course on “Intellectual Property Rights, Patent drafting and practice” conducted by CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Visiting faculty of ‘Digital University of Kerala’ for ‘Translational Research’ course.
  • AcSIR faculty for ‘Research methodology’ course for PhD scholars in CSIR-NIIST
  • Was deputed to assist the Law Department, Govt. of Kerala by CSIR-NIIST (vide Letter No. D/RRL(T)/9/06 dated October 04, 2006 in response to Letter No. 13951/Nodal/06/Law dated 26/09/2006 from Law Secretary, Govt. of Kerala) to evolve a strategy/policy for helping the public for their IPR needs and protection of Traditional Knowledge. The association resulted in carving out the Intellectual Property Rights Policy for Kerala 2008.
  • Member of the panel of technology experts (technology angels) of Kerala Technopark’s Technology-Business Incubator (TBI) for PRISM projects of DST and TePP projects of DSIR
  • Member of the TEAM which received the most-coveted “CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) 2020.
  • Member in the first and second national consultations on ‘IPR & Traditional Knowledge’ held in Bangalore and New Delhi in 2009 for shaping a framework of legislation for Traditional Knowledge protection, which was submitted to Dr. Jairam Ramesh, then Union Minister for Environment and Forest (MoEF)
  • Co-teaching faculty for the course IE3004E-Intellectual Property, Value creation and Value capture’ offered by Centre for Innovation Entrepreneurship & Incubation (CIEI) of NIT Calicut.
  • Idea Evaluator for Young Innovators Programme of Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC)
  • Invited to attend a discussion meeting on ‘Science, Innovation and Discussion Policy for SAARC Countries’ in INSA, New Delhi during February 13 - 17, 2017
  • Member of the team, which devised the IPR Curriculum of PG diploma of NAARM, Hyderabad, an ICAR laboratory
Profile Title
Publications
Profile Summary

Publications/Conference Papers/Popular Articles

  1. Booklet on Intellectual Property Management, Monetization and Technology Transfer, CSIR-NIIST Golden Jubilee Conclave on IP Monetization and Technology Transfer on May 14, 2025
  2. Draft IPR and Traditional Knowledge Policy of Kerala 2025
  3. Looking Beyond the IP Framework to Protect TK: Implication of the New WIPO Genetic and TK Treaty on TK Databases, and the Need for a Sui Generis, Non-IP Model for Protecting TK, Spicy IP Blog, may 26, 2024
  4. “Traditional Knowledge: Beware of patent Protection”: Article in ‘The IPKat’ Blog, No. 1 Intellectual Property Blog in the world dated 21 March 2017
  5. “Traditional Knowledge Docketing System (TKDS) for protecting rights of indigenous communities”, Journal of Traditional and Folk Practices (ISSN 2278 – 5906), Volume 02,03 &04(1), June 2016, page 65-67
  6. “Geographical Indications (GI) in India: Poor Man’s Intellectual Property Is Hijacked” in online edition of Intellectual Property Watch, Geneva (ISSN 1661-7355) on 28th September 2015
  7. “No Need of IPRs For Protecting Traditional Knowledge” in online edition of Intellectual Property Watch, Geneva (ISSN 1661 – 7355) on 3rd September 2015
  8. “Kerala State (India) IPR Policy – rights creation on Traditional Knowledge",World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Magazine, Geneva, Aug 2008
  9. “Inventive Step or Non-Obviousness of an Invention”, Journal of Intellectual Property Rights, Vol. 10, May 2005, page 232-238
  10. India's Semiconductor dream - PLI Scheme and India Semiconductor Mission", Page 17 of Machine Maker., Volume 7, Issue 5, April 2025  
  11. “Concept of Traditional Knowledge Docketing System” (Souvenir and Abstract page No. 74 -75), in the international conference on “Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2023) organized by CSIR-NIScPR at NASC, New Delhi during 14 - 15 February, 2023
  12. “Can’t we protect Traditional Knowledge without creating proprietary rights?”, second International Seminar on Health, Human Rights and Intellectual Property Rights on the theme “Traditional Knowledge” at the National University of advanced Legal studies, Kochi, Kerala from 21 - 23 October 2016
  13. “Traditional Knowledge Docketing System - A solution to TK piracy”, compendium on traditional Knowledge in 26th Kerala science Congress in Wayanad from 28-31 January 2014, page 267 - 270
  14. “IP Laws in Indian Agriculture” in the proceedings of ‘workshop cum training programme on Intellectual property and Technology Management’ (AgriP 2011) held on 26/04/2011 at CIFT, Cochin organized by Zonal Technology Management & Business planning and Development (ZTM-BPD) of ICAR
  15. “Traditional Medicines and Intellectual Property Issues”, ‘Compendium on Intellectual Property Rights and development: A National perspective’ in 22nd Kerala Science Congress in KFRI, Peechi from 28-31 January 2010, page no. 109-113
  16. “IPR Policy of Kerala - An Overview” in the proceedings (supplement) of National seminar on Policies, Statutes & Legislations in Mines (POSTALE 2008) held at Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Jharkand, India, page No. 63-66
  17. “How to draft a patent specification” - published in the proceedings of seminar on IPR held at RRL(NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram : March 1 - 2, 2007 sponsored by European Union - India, TIDP - IPR Component, page 37 - 74
  18. “India moving to a strong patent regime - Challenges & Concerns” published in Macmillan Advanced Research series “Innovation and Technology Management” in pursuance of proceedings of the International Conference on Innovation and Technology Management [ICTM 2006] held at CGCRI, Kolkata
  19. “Patent : Bane or Boon” Jyothirgamaya December 2004, Vol. III No. 2 (A monthly from the publication division of Govt. Ayurvedic College, Thiruvananthapuram)
  20. “Copyright Protection - Evolution of Policy and International Accords”, compendium on Intellectual Property Rights in veterinary and Animal Sciences published by Madras Veterinary College, Chennai in November 2004