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France's national audit office has criticised the system of rewarding researchers for dis- coveries made in public research institutes.

After investigations in four main institutes including the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, a report from the the Cour des Comptes said it was "hard to understand how these institutes can hold diametrically opposed positions, with some insisting I that intellectual property rights remain with the institute and others systematically letting it go to the partner in industry".

The Cour des Comptes concludes that a complete overhaul of current practices should be undertaken to give a new boost to wealth creation from research.