New Delhi: India is preparing a framework to reward the industry and academia for developing copyrights, trademarks and patents in technical textiles, which are meant for non-aesthetic purposes. The textiles ministry has proposed 10 years of exclusive rights for the industry to commercialise the intellectual property (IP) if their funding contribution is at least 50% in projects funded under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). Similarly, the industry would get exclusive rights for two years for contributing at least 10% in the projects.
As per the draft rules, the IP of the research outcome will generally vest with the host institution on behalf of the ministry. For all Indian patents, the government will have march-in rights, including the option of compulsory licence, in case of any exigency arising for the patent and technology to protect the interest of public, it said.
The ministry has sanctioned 137 projects valuing around ?474 crore under the NTTM.
“The idea is to streamline the financial and technical contributions from industry for IPR generation to encourage industry participation,” said an official.
In case of IP purely owned by an industry based on which an academic or public-funded institution is involved in a joint project, any new IP generated by the academic institution may be licensed for two years to the industry on an exclusive basis, according to the draft that ET has reviewed. Beyond two years, after duly assessing the milestone achievements and royalty realisation, the IP can either be considered for further renewal with the same industry on mutually agreeable terms or made to any interested party, it said.
The official added that it is important that the technology and items developed through government funding are affordably priced for public interest.
As per the draft, the government will recover through royalties the industry’s contribution made in projects for indigenous manufacturing of machinery, tools and equipment for technical textiles along with the financial contribution of 50% of the total project cost.
