Question : NATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS POLICY

(a) whether the Think Tank/Committee constituted to draft the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy has submitted its report to the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the salient features of the Policy;

(c) if not, the time by which the Committee is likely to submit its report and the Policy to be finalised;

(d) the shortcomings, if any, noticed in the current IPR policy along with the major deviations in the new policy from the previous Policy; and

(e) whether the new policy addresses these shortcomings including the issues of a cumbersome patent renewal process, a weak copyright regime for handling online and physical piracy, perceptions of global manufacturers in terms of trade norms, grant of compulsory licenses and a credible appellate/redressal system, particularly in pharmaceutical sector, if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a)to(c): The IPR Think-Tank has submitted only the first draft of the National IPR Policy on 19.12.2014. The said draft has elaborated upon the objectives of IP Awareness and Promotion, Creation of IP, Legal and Legislative Framework, IP Administration and Management, Commercialization of IP, Enforcement and Adjudication and Human Capital Development. The final draft National IPR Policy has not been submitted by the IPR Think-Tank. No date has been fixed for finalizing the IPR Policy.

(d)&(e): India has a well-established legal framework for safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) which meets its International obligations while utilizing the flexibilities provided in the International regime to address its developmental concerns. The IPR Think-Tank has been constituted with the objective of preparing a draft National IPR Policy that would stimulate innovation across sectors in the country and to provide advice on other issues concerning the subject. The final draft National IPR Policy has not been submitted by the IPR Think-Tank.