SDSB Speaker Session: Usman Javed Altaf on Why Intellectual Property Matters

On Tuesday, 22 April 2025, Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) at LUMS hosted Mr. Usman Javed Altaf, Group Director Legal, IP & Compliance at Martin Dow Group, for an engaging session titled “Why IP Matters: Demystifying the Road from Ideas to Assets.” The talk drew a diverse audience of students, faculty, and staff, offering a practical and strategic view of intellectual property (IP) as a critical business enabler in today’s innovation-driven economy.

With over 15 years of multi-sectoral experience in industries ranging from telecom and pharmaceuticals to energy and automobiles, Mr. Altaf brought a wealth of insight to the discussion. He has held key legal and IP positions at local and multinational organisations, including Philip Morris International, Wateen Telecom, and Lucky Cement. His current role at Martin Dow involves managing IP and compliance across the Group’s operations in Pakistan, the Middle East, and Europe.

In his session, Mr. Altaf unpacked the fundamental question: What is IP, and why does it matter? He explained intellectual property as a set of legal rights protecting creations of the mind—inventions, brand identities, creative expressions, or industrial processes. He emphasised that IP is not just a legal concept but a powerful strategic tool that enables organisations to monetise innovation, safeguard competitive advantage, and build intangible value over time.

Walking the audience through various forms of IP—patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, trade secrets, and geographical indications.  Mr. Altaf illustrated each with accessible examples and real-world applications. He stressed that in today’s hyper-competitive markets, a company’s brand identity or patented innovation can be worth more than its physical assets. Referencing market leaders such as Coca-Cola and Tesla, he demonstrated how effective IP management is often the key to long-term market dominance and brand equity.

The session also delved into Pakistan’s evolving IP landscape. Mr. Altaf highlighted the legislative frameworks in place, such as the Copyright Ordinance (1962) and the Trademark Ordinance (2001), while addressing systemic gaps in enforcement and awareness. Drawing from his work with the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), he shared examples of his contributions towards strengthening Pakistan’s IP ecosystem through public-private dialogue and collaboration with regulatory authorities.

He urged students to view IP not as a legal afterthought, but as a core component of innovation and entrepreneurship. “Ideas are everywhere,” he noted, “but only those who protect and nurture them can transform them into assets.” His insights reinforced the importance of IP literacy for anyone looking to build or scale a business in the global knowledge economy.

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees raised questions on everything from copyright in the age of AI to patentability in the pharmaceutical sector. Mr. Altaf’s responses reflected both technical expertise and a deep understanding of business realities, leaving the audience with a nuanced appreciation of IP as both a shield and a sword in the modern enterprise.
This session was part of the SDSB Speaker Series, an initiative that brings thought leaders from industry and academia to engage with the LUMS community, bridging classroom knowledge with real-world experience and inspiring the next generation of business leaders.