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INDIA ROLLS OUT ITS MAIDEN IPR POLICY

On 12th May 2016, the Government of                      2000; Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’
             India approved its first ever National      Rights Act, 2001; and Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
             Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy.  The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion

This National Policy was drafted by an independent (DIPP) will be responsible to co-ordinate, guide and

IPR Think Tank that consisted of six members, oversee implementation and future development of

chaired by Justice (retired) Prabha Sridevan. A IPR’s in India.

draft policy was prepared after consultation with IP

experts, IP lawyers, academicians, scientists, activists The vision behind the IPR policy is ‘Create India,

and user groups and was released on 19th December Innovate India’ and to integrate IP as a policy and

2014 for public comments. After gathering critical strategic tool at the national level where the key

The vision behind the IPR          comments   and        focus has been on mobilizing the large scientific
policy is ‘Create India,                                 talent pool of the country and on enhancing
Innovate India’ and to integrate   inputs on the draft   innovation in areas of national importance.
IP as a policy and strategic tool
at the national level where        document at the       The objectives of the Policy along with some key
the key focus has been on                                steps to be taken for the achievement of said
mobilizing the large scientific    national level, the   objectives are as follows:
talent pool of the country and
on enhancing innovation in         policy got a final    Objective 1: IPR awareness: Outreach and
areas of national importance.                            promotion
                                   shape by the IPR
                                                                a.	 Adopting the national slogan “Creative
                                   Think Tank. The

                                   Union      Cabinet

                                   finally approved the

                                   National Policy in

                                   May 2016.

                                                         India; Innovative India” and launching an

The guiding principles of the Policy are explicitly      associated campaign on electronic, print

elaborated in its Vision and Mission statements.         and social media and further linking the

The stated Vision of this Policy is: “An India           campaign with other national initiatives

where creativity and innovation are stimulated           such as “Make in India”, “Digital India”,

by Intellectual Property for the benefit of all;         “Skill India”, “Start Up India”, “Smart

an India where intellectual property promotes            Cities” and other new initiatives in the

advancement in science and technology, arts and          future.

culture, traditional knowledge and biodiversity          b.	 Creating a systematic campaign for

resources; an India where knowledge is the main          promotion of India’s IP strengths.

driver of development, and knowledge owned is            c.	Creating awareness programs

transformed into knowledge shared”.                      specifically targeting industry and R &

                                                         D entities and creating well-publicized

The scope of the Policy encompasses all legislations     events and ongoing programs to

related to Intellectual Property protection for          emphasize the importance of IP.

inventors, creators, designers, and entrepreneurs in     d.	 Creating suitable course material for

the country, namely, the Patents Act, 1970; Trade        educational institutions at all levels,

Marks Act, 1999; Designs Act, 2000; Geographical         online distance learning programs and

Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection)       inclusion of IPR in school curriculum at

Act, 1999; Copyright Act, 1957; Semiconductor            an appropriate level.

Integrated Circuits Layout-Design (SICLD) Act,           e.	 Engaging with the media to sensitize

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