US places India on IP ‘Priority Watch List’

Washington, April 25

The US today placed India on its ‘Priority Watch List’, alleging lack of “sufficient measurable improvements” to its Intellectual Property (IP) framework on long-standing and new challenges that have negatively affected American right holders.

“Over the past year, India took steps to address intellectual property challenges and promote IP protection and enforcement. However, many of the actions have not yet translated into concrete benefits for innovators and creators, and long-standing deficiencies persist. India remains one of the world’s most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of IP,” an official US report said.

The US Trade Representatives said 11 countries “will be the subject of increased bilateral engagement” to address IP concerns. — PTI