December 04, 2006
U.S. Official Blasts Indian Patent System
A U.S. official leading called India's patent and copyright laws antiquated and unable to offer protections necessary for foreign companies to operate in India.
BANGALORE, India — A U.S. official leading a business delegation here called India's patent and copyright laws antiquated and unable to offer protections necessary for foreign companies to operate here.
"Patent and copyright laws in India are old and back-dated and they no where match the world standards," said Franklin Lavin, undersecretary of Commerce for international trade. India and the U.S. "need to sit and work out a proper regulatory framework by identifying the weak areas. India needs to seek more participation by U.S. companies."
Addressing a business seminar in New Delhi, Lavin said India needs to modernize its patent and copyright laws to attract more foreign capital. Lavin is leading a business delegation that includes 225 U.S. corporate executives from about 100 companies such as IBM, AT&T and Motorola.
Along with New Delhi, the delegation was scheduled to visit Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata (Calcutta) and Mumbai.
India has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 1995. Intellectual property provisions of the trade body require members to protect a range of IP including semiconductor layouts and designs.
