Question : WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION

(a) whether the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has given vent to criticism by the indigenous pharma industry alongwith the number of representations by this industry;

(b) if so, the details thereof with particular reference to Article Two, Three and Four of the said MoU;

(c) whether the Government has consulted all the stakeholders in this regard before finalising and signing the MoU referred to above; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a) & (b): Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 13-11-2009 and have agreed on an Action Plan for organization and conduct of joint activities to promote the goal of using Intellectual Property for economic, social, cultural and technological development. The focus of the MoU and the Action Plan is on human resource development, awareness generation and capacity building with respect to Intellectual Property.Both these documents are available at DIPP website www.dipp.nic.in. Article 2 of the MoU allows the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion to designate a third entity or entities for coordinating the different activities in the MoU. At present, no third entity has been designated. Article 3 of the MoU outlines the area of cooperation between DIPP and WIPO and Article 4 of the MoU is on IP Development Action Plan drawn up on the activities identified for priority areas of cooperation. Issues relating to policy, legislation and enforcement have not been included in the MoU and the IP Development Action Plan.

(c) & (d): Under the Allocation of Business Rules, DIPP is the nodal Department responsible for all matters concerning WIPO including coordinating with concerned Ministries or Departments. Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the Department of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Homeopathy (AYUSH) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) were consulted while preparing the Action Plan.