Instituted last year, the Tata Open Golf Championship, the 11th leg of the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour, has become a star attraction among the golfers of the country. This year several top professionals and amateurs participated in the tournament, which was held from December 17 to 21, 2003 in the steel city. The tournament is played at the Beldih and Golmuri golf courses of the steel city.
    

Mr. B. L. Raina & Mr. B. Muthuraman with the winner, Mr. S.S.P. Chowrasia (centre)

An inspiring occasion for Tata Steel, Mr Milkha Singh's participation and visit to the steel city

In a thrilling finish to the tournament, SSP Chowrasia who was trailing by two strokes, put in a 15-feet putt to birdie the 16th hole. Still trailing by a stroke on the last hole, he executed an exceptional downhill birdie to tie with Ashok Kumar for a play-off, which he won to capture the tournament title and his second back-to-back win after the NGC Open victory at New Delhi. The Tata Open Golf Tournament has a prize money of Rs 2,43,000 for the winner.

Golf finds support in His Excellency, the Governor of Jharkhand, Mr Ved Prakash Marwah

During winter, several associate companies and clubs also hosted golf tournaments.

The Steel City Golf Tournament, a big attraction, was also attended by His Excellency, Mr Ved Prakash Marwah, the Governor of Jharkhand.

Tata Steel's R&D team at the forefront of IP activities

Tata Steel’s Intellectual Properties Cell launched a worldwide IP Search facility for all on December 1, 2003, as part of its activities to strengthen Intellectual Properties Rights activities in the company. The cell is currently also in the process of launching IPR training programme in the company as well as framing an IP policy for the company.

Dr. T Mukerjee, DMD, Steel at a seminar on IP rights

The Research & Development wing of the company had created the IP Cell earlier to focus on IPR issues. Since the creation of the cell the number of patents filed by the company and its employees have shown an upward surge. So far 17 patents and two copyrights have been sealed. In addition, 72 patents and 16 copyrights are in process.

By January 1, 2005, India’s IPR laws are to undergo drastic changes as a result of the TRIPS Agreement. Already the Patent (Amendment) Act 2002 has brought in many changes. Laws pertaining to copyrights, trademarks, undisclosed information and geographical indicators have been amended.

Intellectual properties have assumed great significance because future competition will be based on design.