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| Depository body proposed for patenting of bio materials |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Jun 09, 2009, 15:04 IST |
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With majority of field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) seeds at a developed stage, setting up of an Intellectual Depository Authority (IDA) in the country has been proposed for deposition of biological materials for patent purpose.
At present, local firms are depositing the materials of GM seeds in the IDAs abroad as India has none to keep them though the Microbial Type Culture Collection Centre at the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh has been recognised as an IDA for the deposition of micro-organisms.
"The feasibility of establishing such a facility (IDA) at Delhi-based National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources must be explored," the Committee, headed by special environment secretary BS Parsheera, decided recently at a meeting.
The Committee has also advised the Environment Ministry to take up the matter with the agencies concerned such as Ministry of Agriculture or Ministry of Commerce.
Major benefits of having an IDA in India is that it will help save foreign exchange, depositing of a sample will become cost effective and there will be the advantage of having the sample within the country, Parsheera told PTI.
As the grant of patent requires disclosure of the invention and the inventions linked with the micro-organisms, along with full description of the organism and its characteristics, properties and traits, the IDAs are being seen as a safe deposits approved by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
The safe deposit will provide scientists not only protection to their patents, but also reduce the patenting costs and lessen the bio-safety risks during transfer.
The recognition is granted by the WIPO under the Budapest Treaty to which India submitted the instrument of accession in 2001.
Any material deposited in the IDA would be for a period of 30 years, if it is patentable. If not patentable, there would be a one-time payment. The cultures would be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius and in liquid nitrogen.
At present, there are 37 IDAs across the world.
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