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US firms scout for Indian inventors

Promising but it is too early to comment, says C Amarnath
DNA Correspondent
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epaperpdf/05032008/4pune%20main%20edition-pg3-0.pdf

The head of Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai’s SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), C Amarnath acknowledged to DNA that a large number of firms such as Radix and i2india were trying to enter into contracts with Indian institutes of science and technology, inventors and patentholders. “They are promising a global marketing reach and some of these firms do have a track record abroad. However, this is something very new for us in India. Therefore, unless someone tries, no one can form a firm opinion,” Amarnath said.

He said that since the ground reality in India is vastly different than what is prevalent abroad, one could not go just by the promises made by various firms. “Unless one or two case studies are there, it will be difficult for us to comment,” he said. When informed of i2india’s claim that former CSIR director-general R A Mashelkar was on their advisory board, Amarnath said that Mashelkar’s presence would certainly boost the morale and confidence of the Indian scientific community. “i2india comes from the Imperial College and whatever they do will be understood by academic institutions here,” he said.