ORIGIN OF PATENT CELL
The Patent Cell at AIISH was formally established in 2013 as part of the institute’s strategic initiative to institutionalize intellectual property (IP) practices and align its research outputs with national and global innovation frameworks. Prior to its establishment, research activities at AIISH were primarily focused on academic dissemination, with limited structured mechanisms for protecting and managing intellectual assets. Recognizing the growing importance of intellectual property in research-driven institutions, AIISH constituted the Patent Cell to bridge this gap.
Since its inception, the Patent Cell has functioned as the nodal centre for all IP-related activities within the institute. It serves as the central coordinating body responsible for facilitating the identification, protection, and management of inventions and technologies developed by faculty, researchers, and students. The creation of the Cell marked a transition from an informal approach to a systematic and policy-driven IP ecosystem within AIISH.
Over the years, the Patent Cell has progressively expanded its scope and capabilities. Initially focused on patent awareness and basic filing support, it has evolved into a comprehensive unit handling the entire IP lifecycle. This includes invention disclosure management, prior art searches, patent drafting coordination, filing, prosecution, and post-grant maintenance. The Cell has also contributed to developing institutional policies and standard operating procedures related to IP ownership, revenue sharing, and technology transfer.
In addition to its core role in IP filing, the Patent Cell has been instrumental in promoting an innovation-oriented culture across the institute. It has organized numerous awareness programs, workshops, and training sessions to sensitize stakeholders about the importance of protecting intellectual assets. These efforts have led to increased participation from various departments in IP generation and filing activities.
Furthermore, the Cell has strengthened its outreach by engaging with external IP professionals, government agencies, and industry partners, thereby enhancing the quality and impact of IP filings. It has also begun facilitating technology evaluation and commercialization efforts, ensuring that innovations developed at AIISH are not only protected but also translated into practical applications and societal benefits.
In summary, since its establishment in 2013, the Patent Cell at AIISH has evolved into a pivotal institutional entity that drives IP awareness, ensures effective protection of innovations, and supports the strategic management and utilization of intellectual property assets.
Vision
The vision of the Patent Cell at AIISH is to establish a robust and sustainable intellectual property (IP) regime that systematically nurtures, protects, and leverages innovations emerging from the institute. This vision is closely aligned with the core research domains of AIISH, particularly in the field of communication disorders and their management, where interdisciplinary innovation plays a critical role in improving diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative outcomes.
At a strategic level, the Patent Cell envisions creating an ecosystem where intellectual property becomes an integral component of the research lifecycle. Rather than viewing research outputs solely as academic publications, the Cell promotes a paradigm shift toward recognizing inventions as valuable IP assets. This involves encouraging researchers and clinicians to identify novel methods, devices, software tools, therapeutic techniques, and assistive technologies that can be protected and further developed.
A strong IP regime, as envisioned, includes well-defined institutional policies, streamlined procedures for IP filing and management, and a culture of compliance with national and international IP laws. It also emphasizes early-stage identification of patentable innovations, timely protection through appropriate IP instruments, and strategic portfolio building to enhance the institute’s competitive and collaborative standing.
The vision further extends to fostering invention-driven research in the specialized domain of communication disorders. This includes areas such as speech and hearing sciences, audiology, language pathology, assistive communication technologies, and rehabilitation methodologies. By integrating IP considerations into these research areas, the Patent Cell aims to facilitate the development of innovative, scalable, and clinically relevant solutions that can address real-world challenges faced by individuals with communication impairments.
Additionally, the vision underscores the importance of capacity building and awareness, ensuring that students, faculty, and researchers are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to the IP ecosystem. It also supports the translation of research into commercially viable technologies and societal applications, thereby maximizing the impact of institutional innovations.
In essence, the Patent Cell aspires to transform AIISH into a center of excellence for IP-driven research and innovation, where a strong IP regime not only safeguards inventions but also actively promotes their development, dissemination, and utilization for the benefit of society.
Mission
The mission of the Patent Cell at AIISH is to operationalize its vision by building a structured, process-driven, and outcome-oriented intellectual property (IP) ecosystem. This mission is realized through focused interventions in awareness creation, institutional mechanism development, and end-to-end IP lifecycle management.
1. Creating IP Awareness among Students, Researchers, and Staff
A foundational component of the mission is to sensitize and educate all stakeholders within AIISH about the importance and strategic value of intellectual property. The Patent Cell undertakes continuous capacity-building initiatives such as workshops, seminars, faculty development programs, and hands-on training sessions. These programs are designed to:
- Build IP literacy across different academic and research levels
- Enable stakeholders to identify patentable subject matter in their work
- Provide practical exposure to prior art search tools, patent databases, and filing procedures
- Promote ethical practices related to ownership, authorship, and technology disclosure
By embedding IP awareness into the academic and research culture, the Cell ensures that innovation is systematically captured, protected, and utilized.
2. Establishment of IIPMC & ITMC
The mission also emphasizes the creation and operationalization of dedicated institutional committees, namely:
IIPMC (Institute Intellectual Property Management Committee)
ITMC (Institute Technology Management Committee)
These committees function as governance and decision-making bodies to streamline IP-related processes.
The IIPMC is responsible for evaluating invention disclosures, recommending appropriate forms of IP protection, ensuring compliance with institutional IP policies, and overseeing IP portfolio development.
The ITMC focuses on technology assessment, valuation, and transfer mechanisms, including identifying commercialization pathways such as licensing, industry collaboration, or startup incubation.
The establishment of these committees ensures transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment in managing IP assets, while also reducing procedural delays and enhancing decision quality.
3. IP Creation, Maintenance, and Commercialization
A core operational mission of the Patent Cell is to support the complete IP lifecycle, encompassing:
IP Creation:
Facilitating the identification and documentation of inventions through structured invention disclosure processes, and supporting inventors in drafting and filing patents, copyrights, designs, or other relevant IP forms.
IP Maintenance:
Ensuring proper management of IP assets through timely renewals, monitoring of application status, record keeping, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Commercialization:
Enabling the translation of protected IP into marketable technologies and societal solutions. This includes technology evaluation, industry linkage, licensing agreements, collaborative research, and promoting entrepreneurship based on institutional innovations.
Through this integrated approach, the Patent Cell ensures that IP generated at AIISH is not only protected but also effectively utilized to create impact, generate value, and contribute to institutional growth.
PATENTING AT AIISH : HOW IT WORKS
DOWNLOADS
CONTACT
Dr Sharath Kumar P
Head - Patent Cell,
Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering, Acoustics and Bio-Medical Engineering – (CRAB),
2nd Floor,Centre of Excellence Building,
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH),
Manasagangothri,
Mysuru- 570006, Karnataka
Phone – 0821-252761
Email: sharathpattar.hpc@aiishmysore.in
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