The Lost IP

For an R&D organisation, IP count is a major KPI.  It tells how wise the taxpayers' money had been spent.  When we first started, IP was not a major issue, problem solving was.  Later as the country develops, we grow more conscious of IP matters.  IP awareness and appreciation issues were put on the spotlight and sessions were held moderating the issue.  IP relates to commercialisation and with the 'Agriculture is a business' slogan actively played, we were put into a capitalistic mode.

No longer is agriculture technology generation targeted to the small farmers.  It has to be commercialised to generate income and finally translated to GNP contribution.  Money matters and everything has to be so related.  Forever there is this 'return to R&D investment' and technology commercialisation percentage as to number of technologies generated.  But who is to tell what has business potential, the technology generators, the business community, the consumers?

I have this real case to share.  A friend is well known for dried flower/foliage technology; the plant choice, dyeing, potpourri mix, the perfumery to go with, the packaging and other complimentary works.  For technology and skill transfer, a paid technical course was held with participants from a transact of the industry.  It was meant to be a 5-working day course.  Participation was good until the third day where from there on a participant start going AWOL.  Being a caring organiser, calls were placed to the office of the participant.  He was in office and was all happy with the call.  Upon enquiring about his going AWOL he was all apologetic but told the organiser that he was very excited when he got what he came for even before the completion of the course.  He just has to try out the new technique he learned, forgetting the need to inform the organiser of his no show.

Now what is this technique that has this participant oblivious to the world?  It was the simple drying technique for orchid (flower).  Seemed that he has been trying his whole working life to develop a mould to cast orchid pewter.  A drying technique was all he needs to make a break to produce pewter orchid.  The technique was not at all IP protected.  The participant's gain brought no financial benefit either to the organisation or scientist developing the technique.  A business opportunity lost for the organisation and no financial benefit to the scientist.

To appreciate the full potential of an IP, it is obvious that those who can see a procedure as groundbreaking will stand to benefit, commercially and financially.  Public RIs and scientists will have along way to go to reap this benefit.  There is a lot to learn.