The initiative taken by the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) towards creation of a legal frame work enabling the government funded research institutions and universities to own patent rights for their innovations, has reached before the Cabinet in the form of a Bill for its consideration. The matter will shortly be moved to Parliament for approval.

The entire exercise has an objective to give a fillip to the research and development scenario in the country. The move is being looked as an incentive to encourage innovation, collaboration, licensing and commercialization in Indian institutes.

The proposed legislation will help universities and research institutions file patents in their own name and forge commercialization process with the industry. This endeavour is also thought of making research an attractive career option, which is presently at the rock bottom in the list of aspirants by giving ownership rights to universities and linking such ownership with the patent system and the market.

As a safeguard measure, the government is mulling over for providing provisions protecting certain public good or matters pertaining to national security and also the right to own an invention in some exceptional circumstances.

Intellectual property rights with its multifaceted dimensions have become a sine qua non. Professionals from all quarters are feeling an urgent need to incorporate IPR dimensions in their set of courses. Indian institutes having realized the importance of patenting their innovations are already on the move by formulation of IPR policies and IPR Cells with staff competent in law and technical aspects of relevant disciplines.

The Indian academicians are of the view that the passing of this legislation will make them proactive and motivate them to patent their items and get it published. Patent professionals prefer to wait and watch how the Bill will unravel when implemented as a statute; however they feel that the Bill should be flexible and there should be a head-room for change if it has to succeed.