Cabinet nod for Bill giving scientists share in IPRs

NEW DELHI: Scientists conducting research using public funds may soon get a share in the intellectual property rights for their discoveries and inventions.

The Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last night approved the Protection and Utilisation of Public Funded Intellectual Property Bill 2008, which aims to give scientists a share in IPR.

The bill, seen as a move to encourage research in state-funded laboratories, is modelled on the Bayh-Dole Act in the US which spurred applied research in American universities.

In India, the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) on discoveries and inventions resulting out of research using state funds rest with the government.

Protection and Utilisation of Public Funded Intellectual Property Bill 2008 is expected to be introduced in the Parliament soon.

The Bill proposes to share one-third of the incentive amount with the particular scientist, who created intellectual property, in the form of royalty fee, and another one-third of the money will be given to the department where he is working. The remaining portion will go to the funding agencies.

Scientists and professors of universities will be allowed to set up Centres on intellectual property rights obtained by them.