About Us

20th Year of Maximizing Intellectual Value

BananaIP Counsels was founded in 2004 with the vision of providing law, technology, and business driven intellectual property (IP) services. The firm incubated from IIM-B’s entrepreneurship cell (NSRCEL) and has today emerged as a premier, top ranked IP firm in India.

The firm’s commitment to excellence led to multiple accomplishments making BananaIP one of the most sought-after IP firms in India. Over the years, the firm has:

  • Built one of the best IP teams in India;
  • Acquired an enviable client portfolio;
  • Developed a reputation for world-class expertise;
  • Contributed significantly to the Indian IP law, policy, and eco-system;
  • Introduced highly specialized IP services; and
  • Integrated modern, cutting-edge technologies with proprietary techniques to augment the firm’s service offerings.

BananaIP differentiates itself from other firms through its achievements and accomplishments in IP services, contributions to the law and policy framework, and business-driven IP research. The firm and its partners are recognized and ranked as leaders in the IP industry. They hold honorary positions with national and international IP committees and research centers, and their views are regularly cited by leading news organizations, journals and research publications.

At BananaIP, we are a closely-knit family of IP attorneys seeking to add significant value to every project we undertake. Every file and project of every client is very important to us, and our client’s success is our success.

OUR TEAM

BananaIP’s success is due to the exceptional talent, understanding, credentials and experience of its senior partners. Dr. Kalyan Kankanala, Nitin Nair, Somashekar Ramakrishna, Vinita Radhakrishnan and Madhava Rao are the firm’s core. They are what sets BananaIP apart from other IP firms or consultancies in India.

Each senior partner has carefully cultivated the expertise necessary to lead their practice areas through advanced education and qualifications; handpicked and groomed associates from the best law, technology, and management schools; and continuous quality and process improvements.

They have all held IP positions in North America, Europe, and Asia during their careers before founding BananaIP. Their collective qualifications, background and expertise are unmatched in India.

Dr. Kalyan C. Kankanala, Managing Partner, BananaIP Counsels

Dr. Kalyan C. Kankanala

Managing Partner & Chief IP Attorney

• Recognized among the top IP minds of India.

• Has advised more than 1000 clients on IP matters.

• Internationally cited IP attorney and strategist.

Nitin Nair

Senior Partner

• Nationally recognized telecom, electronics, AI and big data patent agent/attorney.

• Worked as patent agent and attorney for global Fortune 500 clients.

• Instrumental in helping many companies mine, evaluate, protect, and commercialize patents and inventions.

Mr. Somashekar Ramakrishna, Senior Partner, BananaIP Counsels

Somashekar Ramakrishna

Senior Partner

• Nationally recognized automotive, mechanical, and manufacturing patent agent/attorney.

• Has significant experience of working with a leading US Patent Firm and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

• Seasoned patent drafting and prosecution expert for global manufacturing and automotive companies.

Vinita Radhakrishnan, Senior Partner, BananaIP Counsels

Vinita Radhakrishnan

Senior Partner

• Internationally recognized life sciences, pharma and traditional medicine patent agent/attorney.

• Has significant in-house experience in helping pharma companies strategize, protect and license intellectual property.

• Works with a portfolio of clients across the world on international patent strategy, filing and protection.

• Ranked among the top 300 IP strategists in the world for the years 2021 and 2022.

• Ranked as a Global Leader in IP by IAM300.

Madhava Rao, Chief Financial Officer, BananaIP Counsels

Madhava Rao

Chief Financial Officer

• Has experience in IP Litigation Management and Dispute Resolution.

• Has expertise in Commercial transaction and compliance.

• Has expertise in Royalty management and Taxation.

Our Mentors & Advisors

Professor Jon M. Garon

Professor Jon M. Garon

Director of Intellectual Property, Cybersecurity and Technology Law Program and Professor of Law, NSU Florida

Dr. T. Ramakrishna

Chair Professor & Chairperson, Post-Graduate and Doctoral Council, NLSIU

Professor A Damodaran

Professor A Damodaran

Professor, Economics & Social Sciences, IIM-Bangalore

Professor Anil B Suraj

Professor Anil B Suraj

Associate Professor of Practice, Public Policy & Chairperson, Master of Management Studies (Public Policy), (MMS(PP)), One-year fulltime programme, IIM-Bangalore

Rayudu M. V.

Rayudu M. V.

CEO, Chirra Electronics

Mr. Nagesh V.

Nagesh V.

CTO, Chirra Electronics

Our Clients

Many of these clients have been with BananaIP since our inception. This longevity is testament to their trust and value in our work. And as their business needs have evolved, so too has BananaIP’s approach to the services we provide to meet those needs.

Clients choose to work with BananaIP because of our ability to merge their current needs with advancements in law, policy, business and technology. The firm is IP attorney/advisor to leading organizations in diverse industries at the forefront of IP in India. Some of these include:

SAMSUNG

TOYOTA

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA

PEPS

FORGOTTEN FOODS

EUREKA FORBES

SUN MOBILITY

ADITYA BIRLA

SCRIPBOX

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT (IIMB)

GODREJ

NIKAI

MUNIYAL AYURVEDA

BAL PHARMA

ANAND AUDIO

DHARMA PRODUCTIONS

SKIPPER

FASHION PANDA

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BOMBAY (IITB)

CENTRAL MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE  (CMTI)

Testimonials

working together to serve your needs

BananaIP has an excellent team with an ability to understand complex technical aspects of innovations and, advise innovators on patentable claims. I am very impressed with their expertise.

Dr. Abhay Karandikar ,

Director - IIT Kanpur

We at NSRCEL and IIMB have called upon Dr. Kalyan for professional support in a variety of ways and on numerous occasions. What has struck me in each of those instances is the readiness with which he has responded: Willingly, professionally. … We feel privileged and fortunate to know Dr. Kalyan and that we are able to draw on his knowledge, experience and insight freely.

Professor Sabarinathan G. ,

Chairperson, NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore

A ‘personalised’ local support, understanding of nuances of different IP laws and a global operational reach make BananaIP, earlier Brain League, the guys to work with.

Mr. Prakash ,

Senior Advisor – Sun Mobility, Former R&D Head - Mahindra Reva

Contact Us

We can help you maximize business/financial value from your Intellectual Property (IP)

40, 3rd Main Road

Kanakapura road, Bangalore 560111

+91-80-26860424 / 34

Mon - Fri: 9.00 am - 7.00 pm