Spark to Commercialization process from Harper

New materials are patent rich and many firms intent on taking up manufacturing in India find starting from zero base is not desirable. They scout for technology supplier who can be an existing  materials manufacturer abroad and few others also would like to tie with specialized process technology suppliers. 
 Harper offers a range of thermal processing systems for new materials like Energy storage materials, Nano materials, Carbon fiber, Ceramics. Unique is their on-site technology center which assists companies with the commercialization of new materials. At this facility, they work collaboratively with clients as they optimize their thermal process, determine the most effective type of system, and collect the data required for pilot or commercial scale-up. Portfolio of enabling patents and qualified staff involved in collaborative development adds to the depth of innovation process.

Contact person: 

John Imhoff

Inside Sales Engineer

Harper International, an Employee-Owned Company 

Ph. 716-276-9900 x 1189

Direct: 716-276-9898

Fax 716-810-9460

jimhoff@HarperIntl.com

www.HarperIntl.com

Trade Secrets stolen by Ketankumar Maniar for employment in India

This case makes an interesting reading. The facts of the case clearly establish unauthorized downloading of intellectual property classified as Trade secrets. But , it is not clear why Ketankumar did it. He did not sell it in the market or pass it on to new employer. The case file says, he intended to get a job in India based on this. 
That is interesting as there is no medical device manufacturer in India who is competing with the US firm BD and thus could profiteer from these trade secrets related to disposable pen injector. Is it a corporate espionage or related to his patent 8029482.
Case File:    

Professional Training of Cluster development executives

Promoting MSMEs through clusters has become a dependable tool for policy makers around the globe. Over 50 countries have taken up this initiative with encouraging results. A background on the same is available at our 2012 Cluster Conference website (http://clusterconference.in/pdf/ThemePaper-International-Conference.pdf)

Success of this programme pivots around an entity called the Cluster Development Manager (CDM), also known as a Cluster Development Agent/Executive, who plays the role of an informed and trustworthy broker and links the MSMEs present in clusters to GVCs and also enhance their capacity at an affordable cost through “joint actions”.

Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), Delhi  have fine tuned a methodology to train the CDMs to carry out this challenging task and conducted over 50 such training programmes globally. The cluster development methodology documents for promoting competitiveness, sustainable production, poverty alleviation and innovation are available at  (www.fmc.org.in/Msme_Publications.aspx).

Invitation to Management Institutes

FMC invites Management institutes to offer cluster management as an optional subject to students and also include this in short duration training programs for SME. FMC will provide complete backup including  presentations, case studies and reading materials.

Contact:

Neetu Goel

Senior Manager

Head: Training and Capacity Building Cell

Foundation for MSME Clusters <neetu.goel@msmefoundation.org

Make in India program facilitates Strategic Alliance between Zen Technologies and Rockwell Collins

In 30s international cross licensing agreements were widespread in electrical and chemical industries. Next phase were joint ventures with local firms as multinational enterprises expanded overseas. Strategic alliances got noticed in 80s. Unlike other forms of cooperation, these strategic alliances bring together global companies that cooperate in certain areas while they continue to compete in other parts of their business; they involve leading edge technologies and advanced capabilities and are formed to fulfil strategic objectives rather than merely to comply with local legislation. 

Alliances forged by rival firms can take on 3 different forms .

1. complementary: A firm distributes on its domestic market a product initially developed by a competitor
2. Shared-supply: The competing firms develop and/ or manufacture a common element which is then incorporated in their respective products
3. Quasi-concentration:A consortium of rival firms develops, manufactures and markets a final product common to all partner firms.

The difference between a joint venture and complementary alliance is that here both the firms are capable of competing on their own, which is not the case in joint venture where the local firm is dependent on partner for technology. After liberalisation most of Indian Joint ventures collapsed with joint ventures partner preferring to start his own in India. There are no known cases of joint ventures upgrading to strategic alliances. 

In this background Zen Technologies entered into a Strategic 

Alliance with Rockwell Collins (RC), an American firm specializing in 

aviation simulation and training products. The partnership will look 

to combine complementary strengths in simulation and training to 

build on air and ground solutions for the Indian military.

This type of alliances would strengthen Indian design and 

technological capabilities while at the same time giving our defence 

best of global products. 

Patentable Subject Matter

Visit to USA by PM Modi is followed by news/ views on Indian IPR policy. It is time to learn more.
Lisa Mueller is a partner in Michael Best’s Intellectual Property Practice Group and the chair of the Life Sciences and Chemical Practice Group. Ms. Mueller has extensive experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical areas. For 10 years, she has worked closely on-site with in-house legal departments of international pharmaceutical companies, handling a variety of patent and freedom-to-operate matters, providing training to new in-house counsel and meeting with scientists and other personnel regarding various other intellectual property matters. 
Mueller addressed the thorny issue of Patentable Subject matter in a 10 part blog. Part 1 covers USA, Part 2 Canada, Part 3 India, Part 4 Russia, Part 5 Brazil, Part 6 Europe, Part 7 China, Part 8 Australia, Part 9 South Africa  and Part 10-Japan..