(a) whether the Government has been providing adequate infrastructure to the Intellectual
Property Appellate Board (IPAB) and their members;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Chairman of IPAB has raised certain concerns over the independence of IPAB;
(d) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(e) whether the Government plans to shift the responsibility of IPAB to the Ministry of Law and Justice; and
(f) 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): The details of the infrastructure and the logistical support provided to
Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) is at Annexure –I
(c): Yes, Madam.
(d): IPAB is a statutory body established with effect from September, 2003 under the Trademarks
Act, 1999. Establishment of the Appellate Board including inter alia, the composition of the
Appellate Board; qualification for appointment as Chairman, Vice Chairman or other Members and
terms of office of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Members are determined by Chapter-XI of the
Trademarks Act. The functioning of IPAB is, therefore, independent of the Department of
Industrial Policy & Promotion. The role of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion is
restricted to providing financial support by way of budgetary provisions and necessary
infrastructural support.
(e) & (f): This Department has not yet received any formal proposal for shifting the
responsibility of IPAB to the Ministry of Law & Justice.