Latest news with #Special301
NDTV
30-04-2025
- Business
- NDTV
US Puts India On "Priority Watch List" For Alleged IP Rights Violations
New Delhi: The United States has placed India, along with China and Russia, on its "priority watchlist" of countries on its radar for alleged deficiencies and violations of intellectual property rights (IPR). Citing New Delhi's "inconsistent progress", the Special 301 Report of 2025, released by the US Trade Representative's office, called India one of the "most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of IP." USTR's annual report l ists eight countries on its "priority watch list" for deficiencies and violations of IP rights-- including India, Mexico, China, Chile, Argentina, Indonesia, Russia and Venezuela. At least 18 other countries have also been put on the watch list, including Vietnam, Brazil, Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey. What Is 'Special 301' Report The Special 301 Report is an annual review by the US of countries on how they protect and enforce IPR. Each year, after research and analysis of more than 100 trading partners, USTR draws a list of countries that fail to address US concerns. USTR conducts this review under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows America to take actions against countries that engage in unfair or discriminatory trade practices, burdening US commerce. These actions can range from imposing tariffs to investigating trade practices and even taking retaliatory measures. Why India Is On The List The report said that India has been retained on the list, particularly due to continuing patent issues. "Among other concerns, the potential threat of patent revocations and the procedural and discretionary invocation of patentability criteria under the Indian Patents Act impact companies across different sectors," the report said. "Moreover, patent applicants generally continue to confront long waiting periods to receive patent grants and excessive reporting requirements. Stakeholders continue to express concerns over vagueness in the interpretation of the Indian Patents Act," it added The report also acknowledged the actions taken by India to promote and enforce IP protection in some areas and steps taken to partially address long-standing issues with patent pre-grant opposition proceedings and cumbersome reporting requirements by notifying the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Another issue highlighted against India in the report is the high levels of online piracy and the lack of effective enforcement. It also said India, along with China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore, were the top countries of origin for counterfeit pharmaceuticals seized at the US border in 2024.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
US lens on India for IP rights ‘violations'
New Delhi: The US on Tuesday again placed India on its 'priority watch list' stating that New Delhi remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) US Trade Representative's (USTR) 2025 Special 301 report said that over the past year, India has remained inconsistent in its progress on intellectual property protection and enforcement. It said that although India has worked to strengthen its IP regime, including raising public awareness about the importance of the subject, and engagement with the US on IP issues has increased, there continues to be a lack of progress on many long-standing IP concerns. "India remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of IP... India remains on the Priority Watch List in 2025," it said.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
US again places India on ‘priority watch list' over alleged gaps in patent enforcement, IP rights violations
NEW DELHI: The US on Tuesday once again placed India on its 'priority watch list', stating that New Delhi remains one of the world's most challenging major economies for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs). The US Trade Representative's (USTR) 2025 Special 301 report, an annual review of the global state of IPR protection and enforcement, said that over the past year, India has remained inconsistent in its progress on intellectual property protection and enforcement. It said that although India has worked to strengthen its IP regime, including raising public awareness about the importance of the subject, and engagement with the US on IP issues has increased, there continues to be a lack of progress on many long-standing IP concerns. "India remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of IP... India remains on the Priority Watch List in 2025," it said. The country had earlier stated that this report is a unilateral measure taken by the US under their Trade Act, 1974 to create pressure on countries to increase IPR protection beyond the TRIPS agreement. Besides, India has maintained that its IPR regime is fully compliant with global trade norms. The report comes in the backdrop of India-US negotiating a bilateral trade agreement to boost two-way commerce to USD 500 billion by 2030. The US is looking at bridging its trade deficit with India, which was USD 41.18 billion in 2024-25, through this pact. A trade expert said India has a well established legislative, administrative and judicial framework to safeguard IPR that meets its obligations under the WTO's Agreement on Trade Related IPRs (TRIPS). The concerns identified in the report are based on the inputs provided by the American industry on their perception of the level of protection provided by India to Intellectual Property. The report also said patent issues continue to be of particular concern in India. "Among other concerns, the potential threat of patent revocations and the procedural and discretionary invocation of patentability criteria under the Indian Patents Act impact companies across different sectors. Moreover, patent applicants generally continue to confront long waiting periods to receive patent grants and excessive reporting requirements," the report said. Stakeholders continue to express concerns over vagueness in the interpretation of the Indian Patents Act, it alleged. It added that India maintains high customs duties directed to IP-intensive products such as information and communications technology products, solar energy equipment, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and capital goods. "While steps to improve IP Office operations and procedures are to be commended, India's overall IP enforcement remains inadequate," it said. It added that the US intends to continue to engage with India on IP matters, including through the trade policy forum's intellectual property working group. The report has listed eight countries, including India in its 'priority watch list'. China, Indonesia, Russia, Argentina, and Venezuela are among others on the list. It has also placed 25 countries, including Pakistan and Turkey, on the list. US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer said the USA's trading partners must address the concerns identified in the report and stop those stealing the intellectual property of hard-working businesses and individuals. This annual report details USTR's findings of more than 100 trading partners after research and engagement with stakeholders. Other issues that have been flagged in the report include, concerns over the provision of Section 3(d) of the Patent Act, and pharmaceutical patent disputes.
The Print
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Print
US again puts India on ‘priority watch list' for alleged IP rights' violations
It said that although India has worked to strengthen its IP regime, including raising public awareness about the importance of the subject, and engagement with the US on IP issues has increased, there continues to be a lack of progress on many long-standing IP concerns. The US Trade Representative's (USTR) 2025 Special 301 report, an annual review of the global state of IPR protection and enforcement, said that over the past year, India has remained inconsistent in its progress on intellectual property protection and enforcement. New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) The US on Tuesday once again placed India on its 'priority watch list', stating that New Delhi remains one of the world's most challenging major economies for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs). 'India remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of IP… India remains on the Priority Watch List in 2025,' it said. The country had earlier stated that this report is a unilateral measure taken by the US under their Trade Act, 1974 to create pressure on countries to increase IPR protection beyond the TRIPS agreement. Besides, India has maintained that its IPR regime is fully compliant with global trade norms. The report comes in the backdrop of India-US negotiating a bilateral trade agreement to boost two-way commerce to USD 500 billion by 2030. The US is looking at bridging its trade deficit with India, which was USD 41.18 billion in 2024-25, through this pact. A trade expert said India has a well established legislative, administrative and judicial framework to safeguard IPR that meets its obligations under the WTO's Agreement on Trade Related IPRs (TRIPS). The concerns identified in the report are based on the inputs provided by the American industry on their perception of the level of protection provided by India to Intellectual Property. The report also said patent issues continue to be of particular concern in India. 'Among other concerns, the potential threat of patent revocations and the procedural and discretionary invocation of patentability criteria under the Indian Patents Act impact companies across different sectors. Moreover, patent applicants generally continue to confront long waiting periods to receive patent grants and excessive reporting requirements,' the report said. Stakeholders continue to express concerns over vagueness in the interpretation of the Indian Patents Act, it alleged. It added that India maintains high customs duties directed to IP-intensive products such as information and communications technology products, solar energy equipment, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and capital goods. 'While steps to improve IP Office operations and procedures are to be commended, India's overall IP enforcement remains inadequate,' it said. It added that the US intends to continue to engage with India on IP matters, including through the trade policy forum's intellectual property working group. The report has listed eight countries, including India in its 'priority watch list'. China, Indonesia, Russia, Argentina, and Venezuela are among others on the list. It has also placed 25 countries, including Pakistan and Turkey, on the list. US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer said the USA's trading partners must address the concerns identified in the report and stop those stealing the intellectual property of hard-working businesses and individuals. This annual report details USTR's findings of more than 100 trading partners after research and engagement with stakeholders. Other issues that have been flagged in the report include, concerns over the provision of Section 3(d) of the Patent Act, and pharmaceutical patent disputes. PTI RR TRB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
US retains India in 'priority watch list' for alleged IP rights violations
The United States on Tuesday retained India in its 'priority watch list' for protecting and enforcing intellectual property (IP) rights, saying the country is one of the world's 'most challenging' major economies in the matter. The US Trade Representative (USTR) acknowledged that India has made 'meaningful progress' to strengthen its IP regime, including raising public awareness and increasing engagement with the US, but flagged long-standing concerns. Seven other countries — China, Russia, Indonesia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela — are in the watch list. It warned USTR will take action, which can include international dispute-settlement mechanisms, if countries fail to make progress in addressing America's concerns. 'Specifically, this administration continues to closely monitor developments in, and to engage with, those countries that have been on the Priority Watch List for multiple years. Over the coming weeks, USTR will review those developments against the benchmarks established in the Special 301 action plans for those countries,' said the report, referring to an annual review process. 'For countries failing to address US concerns, USTR will take appropriate actions, which may include enforcement actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act or pursuant to World Trade Organization (WTO) or other trade agreement dispute settlement procedures.' While the US will continue engaging in the matter, the report said that patent issues continue to be of particular concern in India. Stakeholders have expressed their concerns about 'vagueness' in the interpretation of the Indian patents law. The USTR said that trademark counterfeiting in India remains problematic. That apart, American brand owners continue to report delays in trademark opposition proceedings and a lack of quality in examination. Initiatives taken by India's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade reduced trademark application examination to less than 30 days, but rights holders remain concerned with trademark examination quality and backlog in opposition proceedings. It also said India that over the past year has made progress in IP protection and enforcement in some areas and taken steps to address long-standing issues with patent pre-grant opposition proceedings and 'cumbersome' reporting requirements by notifying the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024. 'While issues remain, the amendments include provisions that are likely to increase the efficiency of the patent regime and reduce current burdens on patent applicants. The United States will monitor the implementation and encourage India to continue moving forward with these and other reform efforts to reduce patent pendency times and improve the patent system for all users,' the report said.
