New Delhi (NVI): India and United States entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase intellectual property cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.
“Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed a MoU, on December 2, in the field of Intellectual Property Cooperation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Department of Commerce of the United States of America,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
The MoU was signed by Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary, DPIIT and Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property & Director, USPTO in the virtual signing ceremony, it added.
Earlier in February, the Union Cabinet in its meeting gave the approval for signing the MoU with United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in the field of IP Cooperation.
This MoU aims at increasing IP co-operation between the two countries by way of facilitating exchange and dissemination of best practices, experiences and knowledge on IP among the public, and between and among the industry, universities, research and development (R & D) and small and medium-sized enterprises.
It will also help in collaborating in training programs, exchange of experts, technical exchanges and outreach activities.
Also, the exchange of information and best practices on processes for registration and examination of applications for patents, trademarks, geographical indications, and industrial designs, including protection, enforcement and use of IP rights, the statement noted.
The MoU will also ensure cooperation between the two countries to understand the various issues related to traditional knowledge that include the databases and raise awareness on the usage of existing IP systems in order to protect the same traditional knowledge.
With these benefits, among others more activities on the countries cooperation will be mutually decided by the participants.
Furthermore, the ministry said, both the countries will draw up Biennial Work Plan to implement the MoU which will include the detailed planning for carrying out of the co-operation activities including the scope of action, the ministry further said.
The MoU will go a long way in fostering the cooperation between India and US, and provide opportunities to both countries to learn from the experience of each other, especially in terms of best practices followed in the other country.
“It will be a landmark step forward in India’s journey towards becoming a major player in global innovation and will further the objectives of National IPR Policy, 2016,” the statement added.
-RJV
