New Delhi, Dec 4 (UNI) India and the US have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on training and information exchanges on best practices in Intellectual Property protection and enforcement over the next decade.
The MoU will be a landmark step forward in India’s journey towards becoming a major player in global innovation and will further the objectives of National IPR Policy, 2016, said an official statement.
The MoU was signed at a virtual ceremony conducted by Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary in the Commerce Ministry, and Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary, United States Patent and Trademark Office, on December 2.
It seeks to facilitate the exchange and dissemination of best practices, experiences, and knowledge on IP among the public, and between and among the industry, universities, research and development organisations, and small and medium-sized enterprises through participation in programmes and events, the statement added.
The two countries will also collaborate in training programmes, exchange of experts, technical exchanges, and outreach activities.
Cooperation to understand various issues related to traditional knowledge, and the exchange of best practices, including those related to traditional knowledge databases and awareness-raising on the use of existing IP systems for the protection of traditional knowledge, is also part of the cooperation.
USTPO in statement also said the agreement, which will remain in effect for 10 years and refers to a range of cooperative activities pertaining to securing, using, and enforcing intellectual property (IP) rights in the areas of patents, trademarks, copyrights, geographical indications, and industrial designs.
The Union Cabinet had given its approval for signing the MoU in February this year.
UNI SRJ SB 1349