Scientists at the Radio Physics department of Calcutta University have expressed resentment over a recent decision taken by university authorities to transfer technical knowhow to Tata Steel from their pioneering research on anti-collision radar.
The university had earlier entered into an agreement with Tata Steel regarding the radars, which are extensively used in steel plants to avoid accidents while operating cranes and other mobile equipment. Under the original agreement, the university was to retain the intellectual property right over the technology and Tata Steel would only manufacture and market the radars.
Before the agreement was put into effect, however, Tata Steel allegedly changed its stance and the agreement was redrafted in a way that required that the university transfer the intellectual property rights to the company. According to the new agreement, the university will never be able to apply this knowhow to conduct any further research in the field. The university vice-chancellor, R N Basu, was tightlipped about the provisions of the new agreement. He would only say that "the university would not transfer intellectual property rights to any organisation".
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