Managing intellectual property and technology commercialization: Experiences, success stories and lessons learnt—A case study from Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture, India

A paradigm shift towards IPR policy and technology commercialization have been observed in India, during the post-World Trade Organization (WTO) regime. Protecting innovative agricultural technologies through IPR and technology commercialization are of utmost significance to enhance country's public research enterprise, promote economic development and national competitiveness. This has impacted the innovations in a positive direction in these areas. The present article reviews in-depth process of IPR management and technology commercialization attempted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)—Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS). Earlier, ICAR established a three-tier model for technology management and transfer namely, central, zonal, and institute level committees/units. Of late, Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn), which works to meet with world-wide commercial success of the invented technologies, have come in to facilitate the commercialization process and thus a renewed three-tier model is in place now. The paper also presents a case study of ICAR-VPKAS, highlighting the unique experiences, lessons learnt and evolution in managing IP and process of technology commercialization. This is purposely drawn as an early example in managing IP and commercializing the argicultural technologies, despite the challenges faced by the institute due to its remoteness, difficult accessibility and hilly location. These together, may catalyze similar efforts throughout the developing countries to promote innovation and global competitiveness.