FOR INTIMIDATION, unabashed hypocrisy and disregard of inconvenient facts, the latest "Special 301 Report" brought out by the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) continues to take the honours. The 2023 report is all of a piece with those of the previous years; its content, language and analysis not differing much for well over a decade. And India continues to be on its "Priority Watch" list, as it has been since at least 2007.
The "Special 301 Report" looks at the laws on intellectual property (IP) rights in over 100 countries that the US trades with, and assesses the "adequacy and effectiveness" of these regulations in protecting and enforcing IP rights. The yardstick USTR uses is its own-not any globally mandated agreement such as the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) but Washington's perception of how systems in different countries affect its trade interests. The "Priority Watch" list is USTR's category for those countries that present the most serious concerns in this regard.
What does the 2023 report say about India? That it "remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of IP", with patent issues continuing to be of particular concern. Why so? Because of "the potential threat of patent revocations, lack of presumption of patent validity, and the narrow patentability criteria which impacts US companies across different sectors." It also complains that patent applicants continue to confront costly and time-consuming pre-grant and post-grant oppositions, long waiting periods to be granted patents and excessive reporting requirements.
This story is from the June 01, 2023 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 01, 2023 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT
West Bengal's Bhanga Mela (scrap fair) has pushed the limits of recycling. Organised every January at Mathurapur village in 24 South Parganas district, shops at the fair sell discarded electronic items, antiques and even non-functional goods that are in repairable condition.
A wild chase
BASED ON A 2015 PROBE THAT BUST A MAJOR IVORY SMUGGLING RACKET IN INDIA, POACHER PROVIDES A RARE GLIMPSE INTO THE WORK OF FOREST OFFICIALS
Suspect claims in Teva's suit against Cipla
The US Federal Trade Commission has warned the Israeli drug firm its patents are wrongful as it sues Cipla aggressively
WATER SCARREDCITY
Bengaluru's water crisis was long in the making. The city has grown at the cost of its lakes and ponds that are key to its water security. Over 93 per cent of the city is built-up, which makes groundwater recharge difficult. Inadequate sewage systems pollute the limited water available. Over the decades, the city has become dependent on the Cauvery, 100 km away, for 70 per cent of its water needs. This makes water unaffordable. It's time Bengaluru broadened its water resource base beyond the Cauvery and focused on recharging groundwater and reusing treated wastewater.
On guard
Communities in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh reduce human-elephant conflicts using technology and proactive on-ground monitoring
Overlooked crisis
While there is much talk about climate migration, the world is without a legal framework to protect people displaced by weather disasters
Taking charge for water
A young sarpanch in Maharashtra helps his village residents avail drinking water at home
International Women's Day Special SHE
In India, women self-help groups have been a source of empowerment, fostering economic independence, social stature and community resilience.
MODERATELY YOURS
The crunchy, slightly sweet tubers of shankhalu can be a healthy addition to one's diet
TROUBLED TEAK
Farmers need to be sensitised about right planting materials and cultivation techniques to benefit from high-value teak plantations