Date:01/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/01/stories/2005100102510400.htm

Back Microsoft to support IP research at Nalsar

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Sept. 30

THE National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University (Nalsar) and Microsoft Corporation India have come together to create a framework to support intellectual property (IP) issues.

As a part of the memorandum of understanding entered between the two, it is proposed to create the Microsoft Intellectual Property Scholarship programme, where three students, focussing on fundamental research in IP, would be supported.

The Senior Vice-President and General Legal Counsel, Microsoft Corporation, Mr Bradford L. Smith, said, "Microsoft has an R&D spend in excess of $7 billion per year, making it one of the largest holders of IP rights, with more than 3,000 patent applications filed this year alone."

"New inventions, including computer hardware and software, are transforming the ways we think and work and raising new questions and challenges for IP rules as well. Lawyers will find IP an extremely attractive area to work, given the opportunities it provides in terms of not just legal issues but an opportunity to interact with developers closely," he said.

The Vice Chancellor of Nalsar, Dr Ranbir Singh, said, "The Microsoft Intellectual property scholar programme will engage students in the area of IP, something ignored in the country. Relevant library and research resources would be provided for the research lab, which would be supported by regular updates from Microsoft."

The Former Supreme Court Judge, Mr Justice K. Ramaswamy, said, "As the Government seeks innovative ways to leverage IT for governance, universities and legal experts need to draw a road map of legislations and public policy initiatives."

As a part of efforts to make legal education relevant to current day issues, Nalsar, located 25 kms from here, is in the process of establishing a National Centre for Cyber Law Advocacy.

Dr Singh said, "India today has technical and sound professional competency but the effort is to make it socially relevant. With the Government embarking on e-Governance, this needs a public policy research and appropriate legislation. As a part of this focus, Nalsar plans to establish the Cyber Centre."