Effective steps to protect IPR being devised: Ashwani Kumar

New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) The Central Government is devising effective strategies to counter the menace of counterfeiting and piracy to attract more foreign companies to operate in India, Minister of State for Industry Ashwani Kumar said today.

The strategy includes extending partnerships with other countries in the implementation of laws protecting the intellectual property rights (IPR). ''India already has a protocol agreement on IPR with France and intends to sign it with more countries in furture,'' Dr Kumar said while inaugurating a seminar on 'Fighting Counterfeiting and Piracy' here.

The seminar was organised by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce&Industry (FICCI) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The WTO agreement on Trade Related-Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has mandated the protection of IPRs as an enforceable obligation on part of all the member states, he said.

''India has also ensured the establishment of an intellectual property enforcement regime in consonance with its international obligations. While provisions exist in law, we are equally conscious of the need to improve its effective implementation in both letter and spirit,'' he added.

Dr Kumar said that fighting counterfeiting and piracy was particularly important because it entailed huge losses to owners of intellectual property with adverse impact on national economies and global trade.

Quoting a recent study by the International Data Corporation, he said that a mere 10 per cent reduction in piracy in India could translate into 1,15,000 new IT jobs, pump in five billion dollars as additional revenue and 386 million dollars as additional tax revenue for the economy.

Outlining the series of steps taken to address the issue in India, the minister said, ''In India, enforcement of intellectual property rights is regulated through different agencies including the customs, police and judiciary.

''The Copyright Enforcement Advisory Council headed by the Education Secretary has as its members, police chiefs of 21 states, besides other stakeholders. This is a national level body, recently reconstituted with a view to evolve effective strategies for enforcement of IPR. Several state governments have also created special IPR cells as well as appointed nodal officers.'' ICC India Past President Sudhir Jalan emphasised the need for capacity building and sensitising state government administration, police, judiciary and public sector on management of the intellectual property infrastructure and effective enforcement of IP laws in line with international standards of efficiency and effectiveness.

There is also a need for strengthening of IP infrastructure and training staff of patent and other IP registration offices, creation of effective documentation systems and databases to speed up patent applications examination and processing, identification and use of International best practices for revamping our IP system, Mr Jalan added.

ICC Chairman Jean-Rene Fourtou Chairman also addressed the seminar, which discussed intellectual property protection in India, with particular emphasis on actions the government and business can take in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy.

Other eminent speakers present were Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Joint Secretary N N Prasad, Cisco Brand Protection Manager (Asia Pacific and Japan) Simon Ashenden and Hindustan Lever Ltd Vice President Ashok Gupta.

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