Introduction
- India has been re-added to the U.S. ‘Priority Watch List’ for inadequate IP protection and enforcement.
- The Special 301 Report assesses global IPR protection impacting U.S. trade interests.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations),GS 3(Indian Economy)
Key Concerns Highlighted by USTR
- Inconsistency in IP Enforcement:
- Despite some progress, India’s overall enforcement of IPR is termed inadequate.
- Patent-Related Issues:
- Persistent complaints about ambiguity in the Indian Patents Act.
- Stakeholders are concerned about vague interpretations and delayed approvals.
- Weak Trade Secret Protection:
- Limited legal mechanisms to safeguard trade secrets in India.
- High Customs Dutieson IP-intensive goods:
- Affects products like ICT goods, solar equipment, medical devices, pharma, and capital goods.
- Piracy & Unauthorised Use:
- Ongoing issues with:
- Video game piracy
- Signal theft by cable operators
- Commercial photocopying of academic content
- Unauthorised reprints
- Technological protection circumvention
- Ongoing issues with:
Other Countries on the List
- Alongside India: China, Indonesia, Russia, Argentina, Venezuela
- On regular watch list: 25 countries, including Pakistan and Turkey
Economic and Strategic Implications
- Could impact foreign investment and trade relations, especially in sectors reliant on IP like pharma and tech.
- May influence ongoing tariff and non-tariff negotiations with the U.S.
