India, Sweden join hands on IPRs
Published: Aug 16, 2017
By TIOLCORPLAW News Service
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16, 2017: The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Sweden, for cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property (IPRs). The MoU would establish a wide-ranging and flexible mechanism, through which both countries could exchange best practices in IPR, work together on training programs and technical exchanges for the purposes of raising awareness on, and better protection of IPR.
Impact:
The MoU would enable India to exchange experiences in the innovation and IPR ecosystems, which would substantially benefit entrepreneurs, investors and businesses in both nations. The exchange of best practices between the two nations would lead to improved protection and awareness about India's range of Intellectual creations. It would be a landmark step forward in the Indian journey towards becoming a major player in global Innovation. This would also further the objectives of the National IPR Policy, 2016.
Features:
The Memorandum of Understanding between India and Sweden has several notable features, which are enumerated as follows -
A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) with members from both sides would be formed to decide cooperation activities to be taken under the MoU in following areas:
a) Exchange of best practices, experiences and knowledge on IP awareness among the public, businesses and educational institutions of both countries;
b) Collaboration in training programmes, exchange of experts, technical exchanges and outreach activities;
c) Exchange and dissemination of best practices, experiences and knowledge on IP with the industry, universities, R & D organisations and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through participation in programs and events in the matter, organized singly or jointly by the Parties;
d) Exchange of information and best practices for disposal of applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights and Geographical Indications, as also the protection, enforcement and use of IP rights;
e) Cooperation in the development of automation and implementation of modernization projects, new documentation and information systems in IP and procedures for management of IP;
f) Cooperation to understand how Traditional Knowledge is protected; and the exchange of best practices, including traditional knowledge related databases and awareness raising of existing IP systems;
g) Exchange of information and best practices regarding Intellectual Property law infringements in the digital environment, especially regarding Copyright issues; and
h) Other cooperation activities as may be decided by the Parties with mutual understanding.
