[Commons-Law] ISSUE OF PRODUCT PATENTS TO BE BROUGHT DOWN TO 6 MONTHS

[Prashant Iyengar]

ISSUE OF PRODUCT PATENTS TO BE BROUGHT DOWN TO 6 MONTHS

Source: The Hindu


New Delhi,May 2:Dr Ajay Dua, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and
Promotion, said that the minimum time limit to issue product patents would be
brought down to six months from the present three years and the maximum period
to six years from the current 12 years. ``The new rules will be notified within
a day or two," he said.

While speaking at a meeting organised by industry chamber FICCI, he said the
Government would invest Rs 130 crore for modernisation of the patent office and
to set up an Intellectual Property Management Institute in Delhi.

Security concerns

On the US demand for lifting of the FDI caps, Dr Dua said that India's own
concerns would have to be examined. He cited the restrictions in the US on what
foreigners can own based on security considerations. "Our regulations are also
based on similar concerns of protecting domestic employment and national
security," he pointed out.

Speaking at the meeting, the US Under Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade, Mr Franklin L. Lavin, advised India to lower agricultural tariffs,
ensure governance that is free of corruption, a transparent and efficient legal
system, a vibrant intellectual property rights (IPR) regime and fully open its
retail sector to foreign investment.

IPR protection

Regarding IPR, Mr Lavin said India still does not have in place a
TRIPS-consistent data exclusivity regime. "Many perceive an uneven enforcement
of India's existing trademark and copyright laws. Indian consumers and
businesses deserve the finest IPR protection around.

India should be a global leader in pharmaceutical research and development. But
until the IPR laws are world-class, research and development will take place
elsewhere," he declared.

MoA with FAA

Mr Lavin further announced the opening of the first-ever Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) office in New Delhi that will enable the US to work with
India through a philosophy of managed growth in aviation to ensure the highest
level of safety and efficiency.

He said, the Indian Government's signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the
FAA will pave the way for the FAA to work more closely with the Ministry of
Civil Aviation to provide technical cooperation, which could include a wide
range of activities for air traffic control and safety oversight as well as
other types of training and assistance.

Calls on Kamal Nath

Mr Lavin, today also called on the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr
Kamal Nath, and discussed bilateral trade and investment possibilities.

Both sides underlined the huge untapped potential to increase bilateral trade
and investment. It was indicated at the meeting that an Infrastructure Summit
for US investors would be organised in Mumbai by the Department of Industrial
Policy & Promotion (DIPP) on November 29-30, back-to-back with the India
Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII).

As a prelude to this, an event is also planned in Washington in June this year
in collaboration with the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

In a separate meeting with the Commerce Secretary, Mr S.N. Menon, the visiting
US dignitary said that he would like to explore a round table on
pharmaceuticals and a business mission under the aegis of Commercial Dialogue.

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