Kharagpur: The Microsoft centre of excellence in intellectual property (IP) law has been launched by the Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur on February 3.

The Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law is the only one institute to provide a dedicated course on IP laws.

"We have decided to link with IIT-Kharagpur, as it is probably the only institute in India having the unique blend of both technological and legal aspects of IP," said Microsoft director (public policy) Ankhi Das.

"Research scholars hardly get time to apply for patenting. This is where IP law professionals will play a role. Our school is committed to promoting techno-legal education and this partnership with Microsoft will help us take it forward," said P. P. Chakrabarti, dean of sponsored research and industrial consultancy, IIT-Kharagpur.

"Initially we have joined hands with Microsoft for a period of three years, that will involve a funding of Rs.66 lakh and cover areas of outstanding research," informed an IIT official.

S. Tripathy, head of the law school said, "Apart from foundation courses on IP laws various research work will be carried out by this centre of excellence."

The existing students can opt to study IP law to understand the legal language of technical issues, after completing engineering.