Microsoft IPR cell at IIT Kharagpur

Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), in association with Microsoft India, has set up Microsoft centre of excellence in intellectual property research and technology policy (MSCIP).

Microsoft has given Rs 67 lakhs to IIT-KGP for three years to carry out research in the area of intellectual property. Situated within the institute's Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, the centre will enhance the school's attempt at equipping professionals from technological backgrounds in Intellectual Property (IP) law.

According to P P Chakrabarti, dean of sponsored research and industrial consultancy at IIT-KGP, "Some of the research areas would be IPR protection in portability, inter-operability, among others. We intend to build a consortium of students, faculty, and corporates to help us decide on the curriculum. The courses would be open for students and professionals alike," Chakrabarti added. Microsoft, for the last 6-7 months, has given research grants to IIT-KGP as well as travel grants.

According to Rakesh Bakshi, associate general counsel of Microsoft India, one of the primary components of the programme is the Microsoft intellectual property scholar programme (MSP) which will provide scholarships to students in recognition of their academic excellence and encourage the establishment of a knowledge bank in the area of IP.