India's new IPR policy will foster innovation: US official

The launch of national intellectual property rights (IPR) policy demonstrates Indian government's commitment to fostering innovation, a top US official today said.
Arun M Kumar, Director General, US and Foreign Commercial Service, and Assistant Secretary, Global Markets, US Department of Commerce, said the US government in its preliminary assessment of India's IPR policy has found that it includes "positive aspects, including centralising the copyright and patent regimes under DIPP and improving co-ordination between the Centre and states on compliance".
The remarks assume significance as the US continues to put India on its priority watch list for IPR through its Special 301 report which was released last month.

India's IPR regime is seen not to be in compliance with global norms, a charge India strongly contests at all forums.
Earlier this week, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said the US Special 301 report on IPR is a "unilateral" move and no country has any right to interfere in the sovereign position of other nation.
"The US government continues to review the policy, but our preliminary assessment is that it includes positive aspects, including centralising the copyright and patent regimes under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and improving co-ordination between the Centre and states on compliance," Kumar said while addressing an event here.

"We look forward to continuing our work together on this important issue."

The Cabinet this month approved the national intellectual property rights (IPR) policy with a view to promoting creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Kumar tried to impress the point on the gathering that India needs to harmonise product standards with international rules to enhance its position in global supply chains and deepen its integration with the world economy.
"Standards barriers such as certain testing, certification and registration requirements not only pose obstacles to US companies, but hamper the pace of India's integration into the global economy," he said.
About ease of doing business, he talked about US companies getting increasingly optimistic about the shift in tone, but are waiting to see further tangible progress in India's business climate.

Both countries are focused on ways to enhance commercial law development, public procurement and transparency while making it simpler to trade across borders.
"Improvement in these areas and others can support the Prime Minister's Make in India agenda and help India grow into a strong manufacturing economy," Kumar said.
Holding that a deeper and more comprehensive, economic and commercial relationship is a win-win for both, Kumar felt that American companies' unique capabilities can help India address its priorities and meet Prime Minister Modi's economic development goals.