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UNI T I
I NTRODUC TRODUCTI TI ON TO IN I NTEL L ECTUAL PROPERTY 1.1 INTRODUCTION I nvention is the process process of devi devisi sing ng and and producing producing by independent investigatio investigation, n, experim xperimentation, tation, andmentalactivi activity tysomethingwhich whichisuseful andwhich whichwasnotpre previousl viously y known or existi existing. ng.An invention ntion involves involvessuchhigh order of mental activity activity that theinventor isusuallyacclaim acclaimedevenif theinvention tionis isnotacommercial ercial success.I ss. Inventive ntivenessi ssisthe the form formof of creativit tivity y lea leading to invention.1 Creativityi Creativity is theability to solve solve pro problem blems, crea createproducts products or ra raiseissues in a “domain” (e.g. cooki cooking, ng, engineering, law law, music) that is is initi initially novel but is is eventually tually accepted in oneormore orecultural settings ttings. I nnovati ation, on, which which may or may not include ncludeinvention, ntion, is thecomplex plex process of Introduci ntroducing ng novel idea ideas into into useor practi practice ce and include includes entre ntrepreneurship urship as anintegral part. rt. I nnovation is is u usua sually lly consi considered noteworthy onlyiiff it is acommercia rcial succe success ss. Thus socie society benefits fro from minnovation, ovation, not fro from minvention ntionalone alone, andoften oftenthere is asignifi significan cant lapseof tim timefrom invention to innovation. ovation. 1.2 AN OVERVIEW OF I NTEL L ECTUAL PROPERTY I ntelle llectualprope property rtyrights rightsareabundleof exclusive xclusiverigh rightsovercre creations ationsof themind, both artistic and commercial. The former is covered by copyright laws, which protect creative works, works, such as books, movie ovies, music, paintings, photographs photographs, and software software, and give thecopyrigh copyrightt holde holder exclus xclusiiveright right to control repro reproduc ducti tion on or adaptation tion of such such works works for for acert certa ain period eriod of tim time. The The second category is colle llective ively known as “ind industrial properties”, as they are typicall typicallycre createdandusedfor for industrial strialor or commercial ercialpurpose purposes.A patentmaybegranted for anew, useful, andnon-obvi non-obvious ousinvention inventionandgivesthepatentholde holder aright righttopre prevent others fro from mpracticing practicingtheinvention without without alicensefromthe romthe inventor for for a certain rtain period riod of tim time.A trad trademarkis isadistincti distinctive vesignwhichis isusedtopreve preventconfusion confusionamongproducts in the marketplace. arketplace. 1
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Anind industrial ustrialdesignrightpro protec tectstheform formof appearance, styleor designof anindustria strial object fro from minfri nfringe ngement. A tradesecret is anitemof nonnon-publ public inform nformation tion concerning rning the com commercial rcial practice practices s or propri proprietary knowle knowledgeof a busine business. Pub Publlic disclo disclosure sure of trade tradesecrets may sometim etimes be ill illegal. K EY OBJ OBJ ECTIVES ECTIVES After reading ding this chapter, you you wil will beableto understand:
I ntroductio ntroduction, n, Inve Invention andCreativit tivity y to to Inte I ntellectua lectual Prope Property rty Righ Rights
Basic types of Inte I ntelle llectual ctual prope property and and its for form ms
I mportanceand protection ction of Inte I ntellectual Property Righ Rights
An Overview Overview of I ntelle llectua ctual Prope Property Righ Rights ts (IPR (I PR), ), Patent tents, s, Ind I ndustri ustria al Design Designs, s, PlantVarieties, Varieties, copyrights,Trade Trademarks, rks,Ge GeographicalInd I ndicati ications ons..
1.3 IM I M PORTANCEPORTANCE- PROTECTI PROTE CTI ON OF I PR Intelle ntellectual property property play plays an important portant role rolein an incre increasingly broad broadrangeof areas, rangingfro from mtheInternetto healthcaretonearl nearly yall aspectsof scienceandtechnology nologyand literature and thearts. Understanding the rol role eof intellectual property in these areas many of themstil stillemergingoften oftenrequires requiressignif signifiicantnewrese researchandstudy.To prom promote oteinform nformed discussion discussion of theintellectual prope property, education tion and awareness in this fi field is im importan portant. Tod Today, possession ion of land, labor and capita ital are jus just not enough for for a country to succeed. Creativi tivity tyandinnovationarethenewdrivers driversof theworl worldeconomy.The T hepoli policie cies adopted adopted bya country shall determ determinethe nations ations well being and further further asto how it is is developing veloping thetrap trapped intelle intellectual capital. capital. An Aneffective effectiveintellectual prope property rty systemis the foundation tionof suchastrate trategy. Within Withinknowl knowle edge-based,inn innovation-dr ovation-driiveneconomies, the intellectualprope property rtysystemisadynamictool tool for wealthcreation tionproviding providinganincentive tivefor enterpri rprisesandindivi individua dualstocre createandinnovate; innovate;afe ferti rtilesetting ttingfor thedevelopment of, of, andtrade tradein,inte intellectual assets;andastableenviro vironm nmentfor for domestic ticandfor foreign eigninve investment. 1.4 I M PORTANCE PORTANCE OF I NTEL L ECTUAL ECT UAL PROPERTY PROPERTY Intellectual propertyprotection protectionis isthekeyfactor for for economicgrowth growthandadvancement in thehigh technolo technology gy sector. They are good for for busi business, benefit the thepubl public at large largeand act as catalysts for for technical progr progre ess. Whether IP I PRs are agood or bad thing, the thedevelope veloped worl world d has come to an accommodation odation with with them them over a long long period. riod. Even if thei their disa disadvantages sometim etimes outwei outweigh gh their advantages, by and large large the deve developed worl world d has thenational national econom economic stren strength and establi stablished lega legal mechanism nisms to overc overcome omethe problem problems so caused. Insof Insofar ar astheir benefits outweigh outweigh their disad disadvantages, thedeveloped worl worldhasthewealthandinfr infras astructure tructuretotakeadvantageof theopportuniti opportunitie esprovide provided. It is li likely tha that neither neither of theseholds true truefor developing veloping and least deve develloped oped countrie countries. (Extr (E xtra acts from fromReport on Com Commissi ssion on IP IPR London L ondonSeptember 2002). 2
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Why ca careabout about IPR I PR? ? Patents benefit noneother thantheowner of theI P and add value to all industrial ndustrial as well asbusiness concerns and and lab laboratory oratory discoveri discoveries es and in doing doingso provi provide de incenti incentive ves s for private privatesector ctor inves investment into into their their development. Anyone Anyonein theabove businessshould should haveanindep ndependent dentRes Rese earchand anddevelopm development(R (R&D) center.Off Offeri ering ngfree freeR&D and proc proces esses in over over enthusiasm thusiasmmust be avoided. voided.
NOTES
Globa Globalization zation and therapid prol proliiferation ration of technology nology haveelevated the importan portance of intelle intellectual ctual property protecti protection on for for small and medium sized zed enterpri terprise ses (SM (SMEs). The intang ntangiible nature of intellectual ctual property and theworl worldwide dwideinconsi nconsistency stency of standa standard practices practicescrea createchalle challenges for for those thosebusinesses wishing wishingto protect protect their inventions, ntions, bran brands, and businessmethods in for foreign eign markets. arkets. The Thethree threemost com common vehicl hicles es for protecti protecting ng intelle ntellectual property property are patents, trad trademarks, and copyri copyrights. The TheBiotechnologyInd IndustryOrganizationadvocatesastrongand effectiveintellectual prope property rty system. Str Strong ong intelle intellectual property property protecti protection on is essential to the thesuccess, and in someinstances to thesurvival, survival, of thebiotechn biotechnology ology companiesin this country. F For or these com companies, the patent systemserves to encour courage agedevelopm development of of new medici dicine nes and diagnosticsfor for tre treatmentandmonitor onitoriingintracta intractablediseases, andagricultur gricultural alproducts productsto meet global needs. Whil While e giving ving holi olistic inte interpre rpretation to TRIPS agreement public health should betheprimeconsideration considerationrathe rather thanmerely relyprotecti protecting ngtheinterestof of thecompanies. I ntheeraof knowl knowledgeageorinfo inforrmation ationage, thefundamental unitof of mostproducts products and servi rvicesis infor inform mation— ation— in oneor anothe other for form m. Haveyou seen that that n-number of of website sites, virtual virtual enterprise rprises and virt virtua ual products? products?All these theserest upon thecorne cornerstone rstoneof ‘inform information’ tion’:: in in di digital or non-digital on-digital form form.. Thesehavebecome the the topIPR issue ssues, this Internet shall bri bringseveral new IP I PR issu issuesto thefore ore. In I n several cases suchinform nformation ation is of propri proprieta etarynature,hence, theinvestmentinthatinfor inform mation ationproduct, knowle knowledgeproduct product or thevirt virtua ual productmustbeprote protectedto encourageother similariniti initiatives. atives.With Withincre increasing worl worldwide dwide access to el electronic ectronic distr distriibution, bution, the the damagecaused by piracy piracy to conten content producers may completely destroy stroy the valuebuilt built in in their inte intellectual property. property. The The same context is valid lid in the case of companies who have earned consumer recogniti recognition on for for their brand namesand trade trademarks. A recognized recognized brand name or trade trade mark representsthegoodwill goodwill that thathasbee beenbuilt built into theproductor service rvice.. Consu Consumers tendtoassociate associatetherecognized recognizedbrandnameor trad trademark with withcertain taincharacteri racteristics sticsthat are spe speci ciffic to that name or mark mark.. The T herefor refore, e, com companiesshould manage anage, prot prote ect and safeguardthe theinvestmentinthe therela relatedintellectua intellectual propertyri rights.Not Notonly onlythis, this, theyshould bevigil vigilan ant if if anyoneelseis misusingor causing infri infringe ngement of this Inte I ntellectual property. Tha That isthecrux of theintellectual property rights: to givecreditwhere, andwhen, it is due. With With the emergence of the knowl knowledge edge society society and vir virtual products, products, the issue of safeguarding arding theinvestment in in theinforma nformationtion-ba based products products has certainl rtainly y gained high 3
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importan portance. We, asconsumers or produce producers in in the infor inform mation ation chain, cannot affor afford d to be ignorantabouttheintelle llectual property righ rights!!Thu Thusprotectionof IPR hasdefinite finite(tangible) benefits, fits, suchastopropag propagateinnovativecul culture, ture,prof profiitability,marketle leadershipandhelps creation tionof wealthfor for theindividua individual andthenation. tion.India I ndiafalli fallingoneamongthedeveloping loping countrie countries have miles to go, as shehas a vul vulnerable colle collection ction of traditiona traditional, oral, oral, fol folklor klore e, customary, ary, agricul gricultural tural,, tradi traditi tiona onall medi edicina cinal likeAyurvedaetc. andbesides not having ving much wealth and and infras infrastructure, tructure, la lack of of awareness of IP I PRs among all stratas stratas of people, is a major set back back to a devel veloping oping country try li like India. India. Defi Definiti nition on of of I ntelle llectual ctual Pr Prope operty : - This term includes, in in thebroadest broadest sense, se, all all righ rightsresulting ultingfrom fromintelle llectual activity ctivityin intheindustri ustria al, scientific, ntific, lite literary rary,or artistic rtisticfi fields. Most ofte often n onethinks of property property as either movable property (e.g., (e.g.,a a radio radio or a coat) or immovable prope roperty rty (e.g., (e.g., a houseor lan land). Onecharacteristi racteristic c of theseform orms of prope property rty Is their tangible gibleexiste xistence. In I n comparison, rison, intelle intellectual property law confers propert property y rights rights on intangible intangibles. Intellectua ntellectual property property hasbeen characterized rized as: Class lassification if ication of of I ntell ntelle ectual ctual Pr Property:- Intellectual property in ingeneral is is broken rokendown into twomajor jor branches:ind industri ustria al propertyandcopyrightla law. A termof Frenchorigin, origin, “ industrial prope property” (properties rtiesindustr ustriial) cover cover artistic, artistic, musical, and lite literary rary works. works. The Theconcept of Inte Intelle llectual Prop Property rty: - Ingeneral,the themostim important portantfeature tureofproperty property is that thepropri proprietor etor or or owner owner may usehis propert property y ashewishe wishes and that nobody else elsecan lawfull awfully usehis property rty without without his authorizatio uthorization. n. Of course, there are certa rtain recognized limits for for theexercise xerciseof that right. right. For example, theowner of a pieceof land is not always freeto constr construct uct a buil uilding ding or whatever dim dimension sion hewishe wishes, but must respect the appli pplicable legal requirem requirements and administrati nistrative ve decisi cisions. ons. 1.5 TY PES OF I PR 7 TY PES OF OF IPR I PR UNDER UNDER WTO WT O 1. Pate Patent- Idea– I nvention ntion which which is New, New, Useful Useful & Non ob obvious 2. Desig Design ns– Patte Patternor Structu Structure 3. Trademark – Sign Signs like likeLogo ,Sym ,Symbol, Brand etc; used to iden identify tify goods or service rvices 4. Copyrigh Copyrightt – Exp Expre res ssionof an anI dea 5. Geogra Geographical ical I ndication – Goods known for its geographic origin origin 6. L ay out outDesig Design nsfor In I ntegrated circuits circuits 7. Undisclosed inform informa ation (Tra (Tradesecret cret ) – I nnovation or Know KnowHow
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1.5.1 Patents A patentis isalegal monopolygran grantedfor for alim limitedtim timetotheowner of aninvention. I t empowerstheownerof aninve invention ntionto preventothersfro fromm mmanufacturing, ufacturing,using, using,im importi porting or sel selling thepatented inventi invention. on. Patent Act, Act, 1970 as as am amended in in the years 1998 and 1999 1999 along with with Patent Rules Rules, 1972 governpatents tents in Ind I ndia. ia. This pagegives inform information tion asto Indian I ndianLaw on Patents Patents andhas full full texts of L egisla gislation’s, tion’s, Cases and and Inte International Conventions.
NOTES
1.5.2 Trade Tr adeM ark Tra Trademark means any mark used represent or ide identify ify a product or its its maker. In a market arket economy economy trade trademarks arks are most important portant because it is is the biggest assets of a company panythat that really sells the pro products. ducts. This page pagegives inform informa ation tion as as to Indian I ndianL aw on trade trademark and hasfull texts of Legisl L egislatio ation’s, n’s, Case Casesand Inte Internationa rnational Conventions. tions. A Tradem Trademark can be gene generall rally defined as a sign or mark tha thatt indivi individua duallizes and disti distinguishes thegoods of of a given enterpri rprisefromthe goods oods of othe other enterprise prises. 1.5.3 Design Design means anyfeatures turesof shape, confi configuration, guration, pattern, orna ornament or or com compositi position on of linesor colours, colours, industriall strially y applie plied to an arti rticle or to a part, tha that give gives aesthetic tic valueto such sucharticle article. DesignsAct, 2000deals with protecti protection onof ind industri ustria al designin Ind India. ia. This page pagegives inform information ation as as to I ndian Law Law on Desi Designs gns and has full full texts texts of L egislation’s, gislation’s, Cases andI nternational tional Conven Conventions. tions. Whatis isaDesign?De Design signcanbedescribe cribedasthetotali totality tyof of theornamental or aesthetic tic aspects of a useful articl article e. Manufactures nufactures of diverseproducts such as shoes, oes, clothi clothing, ng, consumerapplian appliances,automobil obiles,furni furniture tureandcomputersoftware softwareinvestbill billionsofdol dollars to develop indu industrial strial designs to make their products products more ore attractiv ttractive e to consumers 1.5.4 1.5.4 Geogr ographical I ndica ndicati tions ons Geographical indicatio indication n is an indication indication that ide identifies ntifiesagood as origi origina nating tinginaterritor territory y where agive given quality, reputation tion or othe other characteristi ristic c of thegood is is essentia ntially attri attributable to itsgeogra geograph phical origin. origin. THE T HE GEOGR GE OGRAP APHI HI CA L I NDICAT NDI CAT I ONS OF GOODS GOO DS (Reg (Registra istratio tion n and Prot Pr ote ection) RUL RUL ES, 20 2000 Shor Shortti title tleandcommencement. (1) (1) Theserule rules s may becalled lled th theGEOGRA GEOGRAPHICA PHI CAL L I NDI CATIONS CATI ONS OF GOODS GOODS (Re (Registra gistration tion and protection) rotection) Rules Rules, 200. (2) They sha shall comeinto for force ceon thedate onwhich which theAct comes into for force ce..
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(3) Definitions Definitions.- In this rules, rules, unles unless s the theconte context otherwise rwiserequires requires, a. “Act” means the the GEOGRA GEOGR A PHI CAL CA L I NDI CATI ONS OF GOODS (Re (Registration and and Protection) Act, Act, 1999(XL (X L I of 1999; 1999; b) “age “agent” means a person person authorized authorized under der Sectio Section n 76. 1.5.5. Copyright Copyright opyright is a bundle of exclusive exclusive rights rights granted by statuteto the theauthor of theworks works toexploit exploitor authorize thorizetheexploit xploitation ationof thecopyright copyrightwork, work, basedoninternational internationalnorms norms like like Berne Berne Convention, Trad Trade e Relate Related Aspects of I nte ntelle llectual Property roperty Rights Rights (TRI (TRIPs) Ps) Agree greement andWIPO WI PO Copyright CopyrightTreaty (WCT (WCT). ). Thecopyri copyrigh ghtt works works in which rights subsist are ‘or ‘oriiginal’ Li L iterary, dra dramatic, tic, musical and and art artisti istic c works, works, andcine cinematography fil films andsoundsrecording recording.. This pagegives inform information asto Indian I ndianL aw onCopyright opyright andha hasfull full texts textsof L egisla gislation’s, tion’s, CasesandInte International rnational Conventions. 1.5.6. 1.5.6. Trade Tr ade Secr Secre et Tra Trade secret is a for formula pattern, physica ical device ice, ide idea, process, compila ilation ion of inform nformation tionor otherinfor inform mationthatprovi provide destheowner of theinform nformation tionwith withacompetiti titive ve advantagein themarketpl arketplace ace, and is trea treated in in away that can reasonably be expected xpectedto prevent thepublic or competitor titors s from fromlearning about it. it. The Thelaw relating to Tra TradeSecrets/Con Confid fidential Inf Information ion/Com Commercial Secrecy is not well deve devellop0ed inI ndia. There is n no o legislation legislation regulating regulating this areaof law law. I ndia follo ollows ws common law approach approach of protecti protection on based on the thecaselaws. However, there is no decisio cision nof theHonora onorable SupremeCourt layingdown thelaw. Thedeci decisions sions of the the HighCourt involvi nvolving ngtheissues ssuesof Trade TradeSecret were deci decide ded d based sed ontheCopyri opyright/ Designprotecti protection onlawsalso. 1.5.7. 1.5.7. Inte I nteg grated Circuits ir cuits A semiconductor chip chip is is adevice vicethat giveseffect to progr program aminstructions nstructions through a circ circuit uity y fixed fixedon asemiconductor ma material terial in inalayere ayered form form.. Popular examples of such chips are areROMs, OM s, RA RAMS etc. that the theform ormthebasis of computer puter software. software. Thesemi Con Conductor I ntegrate rated Circu Circuits its L ayout – Design ign Ac Act, t, 2000. WHE WHEREA REAS theFinalAct Actembodyingtheresultsof theUrugua ruguayRoun Roundof Multilate ultilateral Tra Trade Negotiation ions done at Mar Marrakesh oin the 15th day of Ap Aprril, il, 1994 provide ides for for establish blishment of theworl world Trad Trade Organization; nization;AND WHE WHER REAS theAgreement onTrade RelatedAsp Aspectsof Intelle llectual Prope PropertyRights Rightsispart part of thesaid fin finalAct Act TRANSFER TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY Te Technolog logica ical competenceiscritica ical to, bothdevelopment of aneconomyandinthe competiti titiven venessinthe themarketplace arketplace. Technology ologyTransfer Transferis isthemovementof technology nology from rom the holde holders of the technol chnology ogy to the recipients cipients of it. it. INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEM ENTS FOR TRANSFER TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY TECH NOLOGY – UNCTD UNCTD In this 6
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deliberation rationonthe theinternationa rnational arrangementsfor for tran transfer of technology, nology,thecommission ssion took took note of the secre cretariat tariat docum document availab vailablefor considerati consideration on unde under this this item. The compendium ontran transfer sfer of technology ology provi provisio sions nsis awelcom welcomecontri contribution butionand should ould be updated, as necessary, and widely widely dissem disseminated.
NOTES
Thefoll follo owing ing chart clearly explain lains s the theclas lassifica ificatio tion of prop roperty PATENT L AW IN I NDI NDI A PROPERTY
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
TANGIBLE
INTANGIBLE
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
MOVABLE
IMMOVABLE
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
PATENT
INTELLECTUALRIGHT TO INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPUTATION
COPYRIGHT
INDUSTRIAL
TRADE SECRET
DESIGN
The following chart clearly explains the classification of Intellectual property INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
PATENT
PRODUCT PATENT
INDUSTRIAL
LITERARY
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
TRADE
INDUSTRIAL
LAYOUT DESIGNS
MARKS
DESIGNS
Etc.
COPYRIGHTS
NEIGHBORING RIGHTS
PERFORMERS
PROCESS
BROADCASTING RIGHTS
RIGHTS
PATENT
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The Thehistory, thenatureandworking of thePatentsandthelegislation ionrelatingthereto, has b be een succinctly sum summarize rized d in an an article, rticle, by JU JUSTI ST ICE as. ANAND of of the Supreme Court of I ndia which which is is quite ite illum illuminating. I ndianpatent tent law has its roots roots in theUK Patents law. However, unlike unlike Gre Great Bri Britai tain where theconcept of a pate patent originate originated from fromthe exercise xerciseof theRoyal Prerogativ rerogative eto gran grant monopoli onopolies, in in India India apatent hasalways alwaysbeen thesole creation tion of statutes statutesof Ind I ndian Le Legisla gislature. Thefirst first Ind I ndiian law relevant to Patents Patents wasenactedin 1856 for gran grant of exclusive exclusiveprivi privilleges to inventors. ntors. This Act Act washowever, found defective fective and was re-e re-enacted in 1859. I n 1872 thePatents and DesignsProtecti rotection on Act was passed fol followed by Inve I nventions ntionsAct of 1883 1883 and and Inve Invention ntion and Desi DesignsAct of 1888. Subsequently tly, Indian I ndian PatentsAct andDesignsAct, 1911 waspassed which which replaced all previous previouslegislations. gislations. TheInd IndianPatent law excludesinter aliasthefollo llowing invention ionsfrompatentabili ilityif theyare- a. contra contrary ry tolaw and morali orality ty, b. friv frivo olou lous, c. mathematical form formulaeor abstract abstract theory, d. living livingorganisms per se, e. methods thodsofagriculture agricultureandhorticulture horticulture,, f. foods foods anddrugs drugsper se se, g. busine businessmethods thods and h. Topogra Topograph phyof inte integratedcircuits. circuits. Y EAR 185 185
ACTS/AMENDMENTS The act act vi vi of 1856 1856 on prote protection of inve inventi ntions bas d on the the britis britis patent ent la law of 1852. Ce Certain rtain exclusi exclusive ve privi privilleges granted granted to inve inventor ntor of new manufa nufacture cturers for for a period eriod of 14 years.
185 185
The act act modif odified as act xv; pate patent monopol onopoliies call calle ed exclu exclusiv siv privi privilleges (ma (making. Se Selling and and using inve inventi ntions ons in indi india an authori uthorizi zing ng othe others to do do so for 14 years from date of fil fi lin specification).
1872 The pate patents nts & desi designs gns protecti protection act. act. 188 188
Theprotection of invent inventiions act.
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188 188 Consoli olidated as the the inventi inventions ons & designs act. act. 191 191 T he In Indian pa paten tents & desig signs act. act. 1972The 1972T he pate patents act act (a (act 39 of 1970) 1970) cameinto force force on 20th 20th Apri Aprill 1972. 1972. 199 199 On March 26, 1999 1999 Patents (Am (Amendme ndment) Act, A ct, (1999) (1999) Came I nt Force From From 0101-01-1995 01-1995.. 2002T 2002T he Pate Patents (Amendment) Act A ct 2002 2002 Came Came Into Force Force Fr m 2oth M a 2003 1.6. .6. L AW REL ATING ATI NG TO PATENTS PATENTS IN I N INDIA INDI A I n India, India, the thenational tional le legal reg regimepertaining taining to patents is containe containedthe patentsAct, 1970asamendedbythePatentsAmendmentAct Act,, 1999.T 1999.Thislegisl legislati ation onhasbeenenacted cted to amend and consoli consolidatethe law relati relating ng to Pate Patents. The T heobject object f the thepatent law law has been summed upby theSuprem Supreme Cour Courtt Indi I ndia a inM in M/s. Bishw Bi shwanath prasad prasad Radhey Radhey shyam shyamvs. M/s. M/s. Hi Hindus ndustan tanMetal Metal I ndus ndustrie tries,as s, asunder, which which is selfself-explanatory tory. The T heobject of Patent law is is to encouragescientifi tific c res research, new technology and and ind industrial ustrial progres progress. Gra Grant of exclusive exclusive privi rivillegeto own, own, useor sell themethod or theproduct product patented for for a li limited period, riod, stim stimulatesnewinve inventions ntionsofcom commercial rcialutili utility. ty. The Thepriceof thegrant of themonopoly isthedisclos losureof theinvention ionat thepatent Offi Office ce, which, after theexpiry xpiry of the fixe fixed period riod of themonopoly, passes into the thepublic domain. Defi Defini niti tion on of of Pate Patent: - The T heword Pate Patent orig ori ginated from fr omtheL atin word word “Pate “P atene” ne” which means ‘to open’. The concept of patent patent systemis very old old one. One of the earli arliestsystemswasthatoriginating originatingin inEnglan Englandduring duringthereignof QueenEl Elizabeth A Patent atent is is a legal document issue issued by theGovernment to to an inventors inventors his hei heirs, assigns signs, etc. It define defines an “invention” “invention” and grants theright right to pre prevent othe others fro from mmaking, aking, using, or selli sellingthe“inve “invention’ in in thecountry. Therigh rights exist xist for for a definite initeperiod riod from fromthe dateof grant. The Therefore, patent isalimitedmonopolyrightgrantedbytheGovernmentto aninventor to use, exploits, exploits, work work andsell hi his s invention ntion in respect of either a proce rocess or aproduct. The patent must must bein respect of of aninventi nvention on and and not of of a discovery discovery.. The T heinvention ntion must be new, useful andindustri trially ally appli pplicable. 1.7 SAL I ENT FEATURES FEATUR ES OF PATENT The Thefundamental principleof patent lawisthat apatentisgrantedonlyfor aninvention which which must benew and useful. ul. In I n other wor words ds it must havenovelty novelty and util utility. It It is is essential ntial for the validity dity of a patent tha that it it must betheinvestors stors own discovery discovery as opposed to mere modif odification cation of what was already known knownbefore ore thedateof the patent. 9
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The Thefollow lowingpropositio ition nsappearsto bewell-s ll-settledinrelation ionto patents:
The patent must be in respect of an invention and not a discovery.
I nrespectof of onesingleinve invention ntiontheremustbeonesingle singlepatent.
A Patent maybein respect of of a substance or in respect of of a process.
I n orde order to be patentable, the inventio invention n must benew, it it must invol involve ve an inventive stepand it it must beindustri trially ally applicab pplicable.
1.8 ORIGINALI ORIGI NALI TY OF INVENTIONS All theinventionsin intheliterarysensearenotinve inventions ntionsunder theAct. Thelegisla legislature has takencare to exclude exclude certain rtain item items fr fromthe scopeandpurvi purview of patents, by treating treating themasnot being inventions. tions. Sectio Section n 3 of the theAct li lists out certain certain items as not inve inventions. ntions. The They are a. An inve inventionwhich is frivolo frivolous usor whichclaims anything obviously contrary to well establishednatural laws; b. An invention invention the the pri prim mary or intend intende ed use useor commercia rcial exploita xploitati tion on of which would would becontrary to law law or moralit orality y of which would would becontrary to law lawor moralit orality y or injuri njurious to public health; human, animal or plan plant li life or to to enviro vironm nment. c. Themerediscoveryof ascientific tific principleortheform formulationofanabstracttheory; or discovery discoveryof of naylivi living ngornon-li non-living vingsubstancesoccurring occurringinnature. d. Themere di discovery of any new property or new usefor aknown substance stanceor of themereuseof aknown knownprocess, process,machineor apparatusunless unlesssuchknown knownproc proces ess results results in in anew product product or employs ploys at le least onenew re reactant; e. A substance obtained by amere admixture resulti ulting only in in theaggregation tion of the the prope properties tiesof the components thereof or a process for producing producing such substance; f. Themere arr arra angement or re rearrange arrangement or dupl duplication ication of known device vices ea each functioning unctioninginde independentlyof of oneanother inaknownway; g. A method thod of agricultureor horticulture; and and h. Anyproces processfor the themedicinal, dicinal, surgical, curative curative,, prophylactic ylactic or other trea treatment of humanbeingsor any proces process for for a similar tre treatment of of animals to render them fre free of diseaseor to increase increasetheir economic value or that of of their their products etc. The Thesecondprerequisiteof aninventionisthat it must benew. Nov Novelty of aninvention ion playsasignifi gnificantrol role einthegrant grantof patent. Inother words, words,wha whathasbeenpatentedonce cannot bethesubjectmatterof of another patentbecauseit isnolonger longernew. new.The T heSupreme Court has observed, speaking speaking through through justice Sarkaria in Biswanath Prasad vs. Hindus ndusthan thanMetal Ind I ndus ustr triies, as unde under, which is is quite relevant relevant in this this context.
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“The “Thefundamental pri principle nciple of patent law law is that apatent is is granted only for for ainvention ntion that must benew and useful. That is is to say, it it must have novelty and util utility. It I t is is essential ntial for for the validity dity of a patent tha that it it must must be theinventor’s inventor’s own own discovery discovery as opposed to mere verif verification cation of what wasalre alreadyknown known before ore thedateof the patent”.
NOTES
1.9 K I NDS OF PATE PATENT NTS S Generally ally, thepatents can beclass classified into into two two typesviz viz 1. Proces Process Patents and 2. Produ ProductPate Patents. ts. Process Patent: Process rocesspatent means that whena substance is invente invented or produced, produced, a patent is is not granted to the substan substance itse itsellf but it is only only the method or the theproces process s of manufacture anufactureof a substance that is is granted a patent. The T herefor refore ethe Patent is is grantedto the process process but not not to theproduct, product, in in this kind kind of patent. Product Patents: I n Product Product Pate Patents, the thePatent is is granted not to to themethod or proces process of manufacture ufactureof a substancebut to the substa substanceitself. The T herefore efore, in this ki kind of patent, it is theproduct tha that is is covered covered and prote protected. 1.10 .10 RI GHTS GHT S OF PATE PATENTE NTEES ES As we havealrea already discussed, a patent is is agrant conferri conferring certain rtain monopoly onopoly rights rights on thegrantee granteefor a definite inite pe period, riod, subject subject to cert certa ain conditions. tions. A gran grant of of patent patent give gives the patenteethe exclusi xclusive ve right right to makeor usethe patented articl ticle e or use of the patented proces process. Apart Apart fro from mthis right right a patenteehas also thepowers to to assign the patent, grant licenses under and deal with with it it othe otherwi rwise; for for any consideration. However, the theserights are not absolute solute and are circum circumscribe scribed by various conditions conditions and lim limitations. tations. The ThePatentAc Actt, 1970containsvariou iousprovisionsinSection24, Chapter IVA, IVA, Section ions 2424-A to 24-F, 24-F, 28, 48, 48, 50, 53, 63 and and 58 58 etc. etc. relating to the specified cified or im implie plied righ rights ts of thepatentees.For For thesakeof conven convenienceandeasycom compreh prehension, ension, thesamehavebeen summarised arisedas under: Rights in in re respect of Patents atents Gr Granted bef before the Pate Patents Act, Act, 1970 1970 commenced nced (Unde (Underr Secti Section on 48): Once Once apatent is is granted, the patenteehasthe exclusi xclusive ve right right to make use, exercise, exercise, sell or distri distribute butethepatented arti rticle cleor substance in India. I ndia. In I n case of a process patent he has theright to useor exercise xercise themethod or proces process. Theserights canbeexercise xercised not only bythepatenteebutalso byhisagentsor licensees.This T hisri rightto exploi xploittthepatentcan begraphical graphicallly explained xplained as under:
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Rights gr granted to patentee patentees in respect of patents patents granted granted Unde Underr theA ct (Se (Sec c 48 etc.) Once a patent is is granted, the patenteehasthe exclusi xclusive ve right right to make use, exercise, exercise, sell or distri distribute butethepaten patented articl rticle eor substance in India. I ndia. In I n case of a pro proce cess ss patent he has theright to useor exercise xercise themethod or proces process. Theserights canbeexercise cised not only bythepatenteebutalso byhisagentsor licensees.This T hisri rightto exploi xploittthepatentcan begraphical graphicallly explained xplainedasunder: Right to assign assign and lice li cense A patenteeis vested with with thepower to to assign, grant li licenses or to deal with with thepatent for for a consideration. This T his is is in in acase whe where thepatente tenteehimself is not wil willingto work work the patent. I f the there are more ore thanone owner of the patent, the co-owner co-owner can assign his his share of the pate patent or grant lic licen enses ses in in respe respect the thereof, reof, provi provide ded d theother other co-ow co-owne ners conse consent andpermittedbythecontrol controlller. Right to surrender the patent Under Secti Section on 63 of theAct, the patentee tenteehas theright right to surrende surrender his his patent. patent. A patentee, at any tim time by givi giving ng notice notice in in the prescri cribed manne anner. When such anoff offer is made, thecontrol controlller should should adverti rtisetheoff offer wi with a view to notifyi notifying ngevery person othe other thanthepatenteewhose whosenameappearsin intheregister register ashavinganiinterest nterestin inthepatent. It is necessary cessary to prot protect ect theinterests nterests of perso persons ns like like licen licensees sees, equi equitable table assignees, and othe others with withwhomthepatenteemighthavecontractua contractual obli obligations gationswhich whicharedependenton thecontinua continuanceof thepatent. Rights before for e se sealing aling The Thepatenteeenjoy joys certainrights even befor forethesealin ling of thepatent also, under Section Section 24 of theAct. Under this this provi provision, sion, on and from fromthedate date of adverti advertise sement of the acceptanceof acompletespecif cification cation and until til the thedateof sealing aling of patent, theapplicant applicant wil will beentitl ntitled to the thelike privi privilleges and and rights rights as if if a patent for for theinvention ntion had been sealed on thedateof advertise tisement of acceptanceof thecompletespecif cification. cation. How Howeve ever, theapplica plicantwil will notbeentitle ntitledtoinstitute instituteanylegal proceedingsfor forinfr infriingementuntil til the patent has been sealed. Right to apply apply for “patents “patents of addition” additi on” Chapter IX I X of theAct, Sections 54 deal with with “patents of addition”. tion”. A patent of addition tion is theimprovem provement or modif odification of of an invention tion disclose disclosed in in the complete specif cification cation of the“main inve invention”. ntion”. Unde Under Section Section 54 of theAct, a patenteehas a righ right to apply for for a “patent of addition” ddition” relating relatingto his ‘m ‘main invention’ ntion’..
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Right in case caseof “i “infri nfr ingements” I nfring nfringe ement is is theviol violation ation of theviol violation ation of therigh rights ts conferred by by thegrant of patent. I t consists in the viola violation tion of any of the therigh rights like like theexclusi exclusive ve right to make make, use, exercise rcise, sell ordistri distribute butetheinvention ntionin inIndia. India.Whe Wheneverapatentisinfr infriinged,tthe hepatentee hasarigh righttoins institute titutesuits itsinacourtof law,notinferior inferiorto aDistrict DistrictCourt Courthavingjurisdiction jurisdiction to try try thesuit. suit. The Thepatenteemay bring in suit for for decla claration, ation, injucti injuction on andalso for for damages and account ccount of profi profits
NOTES
Right to make makea conve convention ntion applica appli cati tion on Every patenteein India India has a right right to make aconvention convention appli pplication cation or a “basic application”, pplication”, for forprotection protectionof hispatentinotherconve convention ntioncountrie ountries,in incaseof internationa tional instr nstrum uments being signed by India India and those other convention tion countri countries. Generall rally, this this right rightisdependent ontheprincipl principle eof ‘reciproci reciprocity’ ty’ and ‘na ‘nationa tional trea treatment’ in internationa rnational law. Howeve However, this positi position on is proposed proposedto bechanged unde underr the 2002 2002 (Am (Am) Act Act which which provide provides for fil filing of anInternational application pplication under thePCT. CT. Right to make makea conve convention ntion applica appli cati tion on I f a Pa Patent tent is lost lost or destroyed destroyedor its its nonnon-productio production n is explainedsatisfactori tisfactorilly to the control controlller, thepatenteehas a right right to apply for for aduplicate duplicatepatent; and Right to besupplie supplied copiesand certifi tifica cate tes s Certi rtified copies of any entry in in theregister, or certif certificates of or or extracts from frompatents, specif cifications cations and other public public documents in the patent offi office ce or fro from mtheregisters and other other recor records kept there, may beobtained obtained by thepatentees and also others others by paying tthe he prescribe prescribed fee. 1.11. L I M I TATIONS TATI ONS OF T HE RI GHTS GHT S OF PATENT PATENTEE EES S I t has beenalr already mentioned entioned here befor eforethat the rights rights of the patentees are not absolute solute. Theyaresubjectto to manyli limitations tationsandrestri trictions ctionswhich whicharementione tionedbrie briefly hereunder. Use for Experiment, Research and Teaching Any machine chine, arti articl cle eor apparatus in respect of which which patent is is granted or any process patentmaybeusedbyanypersonfor for thepurposeonlyof of experim rimentor orres researchincludi including ng theimparti rtingofinstructi instructions onstopupil pupils;notwi withstandingtherights rightsofthe thepatentee. Use by Government Any patented product product or process process may beusedby theGovernm Government for for its exclusi xclusive ve useor onbehalf of it.The T heGovernm Governmentmayalsoim import suchproduct roductor patent. Obviously, Obviously, such aprovi provisi sion on has been madein the interest of public public service. service.
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Compuls pulsory L icenses If thepatenthasnot beenworked workedsoasto satisfy tisfy thereasonablere requirem quirementsof the publicatareasona reasonableprice, price,the thecontrol controller maygrantcom compulsory pulsoryli licensesto anyapplican applicant to work work thepatent. Furthe urther the thecentral tral Governm Government also has has the power power to to declare that compulsory pulsory license censes should be granted grantedin respect of any patent or class classof patents. The T he control controlller decide cides theterms of thelicense. Incaseof patentsrelated relatedtofoo food, d, medicine cineor drugthey aredeemedto beendorsed with with thewords words “Li “L icens cense es of right” right” after the expiration xpiration of of threeyears years from fromthedate date of sealing. aling. The Thelegal effect effect of such anendorse dorsement is is that, any person person inte interested in in worki working ng thepatentedinvention inventionmayrequire requirethe thepatenteeto gran granthim himali licenseeonterm termsmutuall utually agreedupon or settle settled by thecontrol controlller. I nventi nvention on for Defens Defense e Purpos urpose es Certain inve inventions ntions relevant for defence purpose rposes may besubjectedsecrec crecy provi provisio sions ns by the thecontroll controlle er. He Hemay direct restrict restrict or prohibit prohibit the thepubli publicatio cation n or communi unication of inform nformation ationrelatingto suchinventions. Insuchaneventapplicationwil will notberefusedbut thecompletespecif cificationif if accepted, wil will notbeadverti rtisedandnopatentwil will begranted for theinvention. ntion. Duri During thecontinua continuanceof suchdirectio directions, ns, thecentral tral Governm Government may usetheinvention ntionbydebarri rringtheapplican plicantfro from musingit itprovi provide dedtheroyaltie royaltiesarepaidto him. Use in Foreign Vessels etc. Whereavessel or aircraf aircraftt reg registeredin afore oreign country try or a land vehicle hicleowne owned by a fore foreigner comes to India I ndia or its its territ rritori orial al waters waters temporaril porarily or acci accidently, the thepatented articl ticle e, substanceor processmaybeusedinsuchvessels, andaircra rcraftsetc., tc., without withoutinfr infriinging therights rightsof thepatenteelegally gally. Suchausemustbefor itsactualneedsorin intheconsultati consultation on or working working of theaircraft, or lan land vehicle only to a fo foreign reign ve vesse ssel, aircraft or land land vehicle hicle owne owned byresidents of only only those countri countries eswhich which confer sim similar rights rights ontheresidents of India.In I notherwords, words,this thisright rightandlim limitation tationarebasedontheprincipl rinciple eofnationa tional tre treatment. 1.12 .12. DUTI DUT I ES OF PA PAT T ENT EN T EE The Thepatent grantedconfers not onlycertainrights onthepatenteebut also imposes certain certaindutie dutiesandobligati obligations. ons.If I f thepatentiis snotusedandthegrantedmonopoly onopolyis isabused, compulsor ulsory y lilicensemay be granted to any person rson who is is wil willing to work work thepatent or even thepatentalso alsomayberevoke revoked. I tis istheimplieddutyof of thepatenteeto work workthe thepatentis is Indiain insuchamanner soasnotto to deprive privethereasonablere require quirementsof of thepublicand also to to make make the products of patent availab available to the publi public c at reasona reasonable ble price prices. s. Further, the patentees arerestrained restrained from frommaking aking baseless and unjustif unjustifiable threats of anaction action for for infri nfringementof thepatent. Sim Similarly, arly,everypatenteeshould submitperiodi periodical calstatementsto 14
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the control controller as to the extent to whic which h thepatented inventi nvention on has has been work worked ed on a commercial rcial basis sis in India. India. Fail Failure ure to supply suchinform nformation ation is punishable.
NOTES
1.13 .13 INFRI I NFRI NGEM ENT OF PATENTS ATE NTS The Themonopolyof apatenteeover hispatent maybeviolatedbyunscrupulouselements. I f therights rights in re relation ation to paten patent are infr infriinged, the thepaten patented has right right to take recourseto legal action. action. What constitutes constitutes infri infringement of a patent atent is not define defined in in thePatentsac, 1970. Howe owever it it may beunderstood erstood as vi viol olatio ation n of the monopoly onopoly rights rights of the patentee to ma make, use, exercise, sell or distribu distribute te the the invention in in Ind India. Infring nfringer isapersonwho actually tuallymanufacturersapatentedarticle articlewithout withoutauthorizatio orization, n, or uses a patented proces process s likewise kewise. Sim Similarly arly any one who uses, uses, exerci rcises ses sel sells or distri distributesapatentedarti rticle cleorproce processwithout withoutanylawful lawfulauthority authoritywould wouldbeaninfringe nfringer. However aninnocentuseofapatent,usefor experim rimentsandinstructi instructions, ons,useofinve invention ntion in forei foreign gn vessels do not amount infr infriingements Where theinfri infringe nger has taken all theessential sential features claimed in in the pa patent, whil while e manufacturi ufacturing ng an arti rticle, cle, it it wil will beadirect direct infr infriingement. Where he uses all fea features turesclaim claimed inthepatentbutalters altersoneormoreunessential ntial featurethenalsoit itwi will beaninfri infringe ngement but sinceit is is indirect it is is calle lled ‘color ‘colora able imita itation’ tion’.. Copying the‘esse ssential fe features’ tures’ of the invention ntion is is sometim timesreferre ferred to astaking taking the‘pith pith and marrow’ arrow’ of the invention. ntion.
Ti Timeof Inf Infringement
Remedyfor for infri nfringement
Limitation period riod
Who canfileasuit?
Who maypetiti tition on theHigh Court Court
Who may be sued?
Defensesavailab availableto Defendants
Relieve elievesthatmaybegranted
THE TH E DESIGNS ACT, 1911 Definiti Definitions: ons: -I -In this Act, Act, unless there thereis anything anything repugn repugnant in in thesubject or context: “design” sign” - means only the thefeatures of shape, confi configuration, guration, pattern or orna ornament applie applied to anyarticl article ebyanyindustri industrial alprocess processormeans,whe whethermanual, mechanicalor or chemical, separateor com combined, which which in in thefinished articl ticle e appeal to and are are judge judged solely solely by the eye; but does does not include includeany more ore or principl principle e of construction construction or anything which i sin substancea mere mechanical nical device, device, and does not iincl nclude ude any trade trademark as defined in clau clause se (v) of of sub-section sub-section (1) of section ction 2. 2. of the Trade and Me Merchandise Marks Marks Act, 1958, or prope propert rty y mark as defined in in section ection 479of theI ndian Penal Code Code
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Registration of Designs
The TheCon Controller may, ontheapplica icationof any personclaimingto betheproprietor of any new or ori original designnot previously previously publishe published in India, India, register thedesign under this this Part. The Theapplic lication ionmust bemadeintheprescribedformandmust beleft at thePatent Off Office in the prescri prescribed manner and must be accom ccompanied bythe prescri prescribed fee fee. The Thesamedesignmay beregistered inmorethanoneclass, and, incaseof doubt as to theclas class in in which a design ought to beregiste registered, the theControl ontroller may decide cide thequestion. stion. The TheCon Controlle ller may, if hethinks fit, it, refuseto register any designpresented to him for registrati stration; on; but anyperson aggrieved by any suchrefusal mayappeal to the the Central tral Governm Government. An applicatio pplication n which, owing owingto any default or neglect on thepart of of the theapplican plicant, has not been comple pleted so as to enable re registr gistrati ation on to be A Design when when registered registered shall shall beregistered registered of the date dateof the application pplication for for registration,
Certifi tifica cate te of of registration tration
TheController shallgrant aCertificateof registrationto theproprietor of thedesign whenregistered. The TheController may, incaseof los loss of theorigi iginal certifi ificate, or inany other case in which hedeems it expedie dient, furnish furnish oneor more ore copies of the certi rtificate.
Copyright opyri ght in Re R egister gistered Des Designs
Whenadesignis isre registered, gistered, theregisteredproprietor proprietorof of thedesignshall, subject subject tothe theprovisions provisionsof thisAct, Act, havecopyrigh yrightin inthedesignduring duringfive fiveyearsfro from mthe dateof registration. registration. I f before beforetheexpi expiration ration of the thesaid five fiveyears appl application cation for theextension of the period riodof copyright copyrightismadetotheControll ontrolle erin intheprescribe cribedmanner,theControl Controlller shall, on payment of theprescribe prescribed fee, extend theperiod period of copyri copyright for for a second period riod of five fiveyears from fromtheexpiration xpiration of theori original ginal period riod of five five years. I f before beforetheexpiration xpiration of suchsecond pe period riod of fi fiveyears years applica pplicati tion on for the extens xtensiion of theperiod riod of copyrigh copyrightt is is made ade to the Control Controller in theprescri prescribe bed manner, theControl Controlllermay, subject1Danyro rollesunder this thisact, onpaymentof the prescribe prescribed dfee, extend xtendtheperiod riodof copyrightfor for athirdperiod’ of five fiveyearsfrom from the expira xpiration tion of the second econd period riod of five five yea years.
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Relevant levant provisions pr ovisions of geogr ographical indica ndicati tions onsof- goods
NOTES
Geographical identification”, in relation to goods, me means identif tification Which Which identif identifiies’ such such goods goods as ‘a ‘agricultural gricultural goods, natural goods or Manufactured nufactured goods’ asoriginating, originating, or manufacturedin theterritor territory y, of acountry, ‘or a region or loca locality lity in that territor territory y, where agive given quali quality ty reputation reputation or other other cha characteri racteristic stic of suchgoods is essenti sentiall ally y attri ttributable to its its geogr geograph aphical ori origin gin and in case case where such goods are manufactured goods goods one of the theacti activi viti tie es of either the theproduction production or of processi processing or preparation ation of thegoods concerned takes placein such territor ritory y, re region gion or local localiity, asthe casemaybe, Explanation; ---For the purpo purpose ses s of this this claus clause, e, any any name which is is not the name of a country, re region gion or locality ocality of that that coun countr try y shall also be consi considered as the ge geographi ographical indication if if it relate relates to a spe speci cifi fic c geographi ographical area area and is use used uponor in in relation relation to particul ticular ar goods ori originating ginatingfrom romthat country country, re region gion or locali locality, ty, asthecase may be;
“Goods” Goods” meansanyagricul agricultural tural,, natural or manufacture ufacturedgoodsor or anygoods goodsof handicraftor or of industryandincludesfoodstu foodstuff; ff;
“Indication” include ncludes anyname, geograph geographical. or figurative gurativerepresentation ntation or any combinationof of themconveying yingorsuggesting stingthegeographical ori originof of goodsto whichit itappl applies;
“ Name” includes any abbreviati viation on of a name;
“Package ackage” includes any case, box, containe container, covering, covering, fol folde der, receptacle, vessel, casket, bottle bottle, wrappe wrapper, label, band, ticket, ticket, re reel, frame, capsule, capsule, cap, lid, lid, stoppe stopper and cork;
“ Pres rescribe cri bed” means prescribe prescribed by rules rules madeunder this this Act; Act;
“Producer” “Producer”in inrelation relationto goods,meansanypersonwho,who,-
1.14 .14. THE TH E REGI STER TE R AND CONDI CONDI TI ONS FOR REGI RE GIS STRATI TR ATION ON Registr gistrar ar of of Geog Geogrraphical I ndica ndicati tions ons::— The Thecontrolle ller General of Patents, Design ignsand Tra TradeMar Marks appointed under subsection ction(1) of section ction3of theTradeMarksAct,1999,shall betheRegistrar of Geographical Indicatio dication ns. The TheCentral Government may appoint suchoffice icerswithsuchdesignationsasitthinks fit for for thepurpose of discha discharging, rging, under thesuperintendenceand directio direction nof theRegistrar, suchfunctions functionsof theRegistrar gistrarunder thisAct, Act, ashemayfrom fromtim timetotim timeauthorize uthorizethem to disch discharge
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For thepurposesof thisAct, a record cord called theRegister of Geog Geographica ical Indications tions shall bekeptattheheadoffi officeof theGeographical GeographicalIndications I ndicationsReg Registry,wherein wherein shall beenteredall registe gisteredgeographical indications ndicationswith withthenames, addresses and and descripti scriptions ons of the propri proprietor etors, s, tthe he nam names, es, addresses and and descripti scriptions ons of authori thorizeduserandsuchothermattersrelati relating ngtoregisteredgeographical indications ndications as may bepre prescri scribed and such registers registers may bemaintained aintained wholl wholly or partl partly y on computer.
Notwiths otwithsta tand ndiing anything nything contained in sub-section ction (1), (1), it it shall belawful for the Registrar to keep therecord-s record-s wholly wholly or partl rtly in computer fl floppies or diskettes or inan in any othe other electr electroni onic c for form m, subject to to such safeguards as may be prescri cribed
Wheresuchregisteris ismaintainedwholl whollyor partly rtlyin incomputer floppies floppiesor diskettes or in any any othe other electronic ctronic for form munde under sub-secti sub-section on (1), (1), any reference referencein thisAct to anyentryin intheregister registershall beconstruedasthereferencetotheentry tryasmaintaine aintained on computer fl floppie oppies or diskettes diskettesor in theothe other electronic ectronic for form m, as thecasemay be.
No notice notice of any trust, express expressor im implie plied or constructi constructive ve,, shall beentered in the register register and no such notice otice shall bereceivable receivableby theRegistr gistrar. ar.
Subject Subjecttothesuperinten erintendenceanddirecti direction onof theCentral tralGovernm Government,the theregister register shall bekeptunder thecontrol control andmanagementof of the Registrar gistrar
REVI EW QUESTIONS QUESTIONS 1) DefineInve nvention, ntion, In Innova novation andCre Creativity tivity 2) Discus Discuss importanceof IPR I PR 3) Classify ify IPR 4) Explain Copy rights rights an and Trade Trademark 5) Discu Discusssalient fea features of Patent laws lawsinIndia ndia 6) Discu Discuss sskind kinds s of Pa Paten tents and andtherigh rights ts of a patente tentee 7) Disc Discus uss lim limitations of therigh rights of patentees
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UNI T II II
I NTERN TE RNA ATI ONAL ONAL PROTE PROTECTI CTI ON OF I NTEL L ECTUAL ECTUAL PROPER PROPERTY TY RIG RI GHTS 2.1. ESTABL ESTABL I SHMENT SHME NT OF WIPO WI PO The Therootsof theWorldInt Intelle llectual Pro Property Organiza ization ion go back to 1883, when Joh JohannesBra BrahmswascomposinghisthirdSymphony, Robert Lou LouisStevensonwaswriting Tr Treasure Isla Islan nd, and John J ohn andEmily Roeb Roebling were completing pleting constructi construction on of Ne New Yor York’sBro BrooklynBrid Bridge. The Theneed for for international protection of intelle llectual property becameevident when fore oreignexhibito xhibitors rs refusedto attendtheI nternational national Exhibit Exhibition ion of Inve I nventionsi ntionsinVienna in1873 in1873be because they were afraid afraid the their ide ideas would would be stole tolen and exploi xploited ted commerci rcially ally in other countries countries. 1883m 1883 marked thebirth birth of theP theParis aris Conve onvention for theProte Pr otection of of I ndustr ndustrial ial Property, Property, the first first major international tional tre treaty designed signed to help the people ople of one country try obtain prote protection ction in other other countrie countries for for their intelle intellectual creations tions in theform of ind industr ustriial property ri rights, known known as:
inventions ntions(patents)
trademarks
industrial trial designs
The TheParis Con Conventionenteredinto for forcein1884 in1884wi with th14member State States, which whichset upanInte International rnationalBurea Bureautocarry carryoutadministrativ nistrative etasks,suchasorgan organizing zingmeetings tingsof themember States. tates. In1886 In 1886,, copyright copyrightentered teredtheinternationa tional arena arenawith withtheBern theBerne eConvention ntion for theProte Pr otection of of Lit L ite erary and and Artis tistic Works. Works. The T heaimof this Conve Convention was to help nationals tionals of its its member State States obtain internationa tional protecti protection on of the their ri rightto control control,, and receive payment for, for, the use of their creativ creative ework works s suchas:
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novels, short ortstori stories,poe poems,pla plays;
songs, ope operas, musicals, usicals, sonatas; and
drawings drawings, paintings intings, sculptures, archite rchitectural works. works.
L ike theParis Paris Conve Convention, ntion, the BerneConvention ntion set up an Inte International Burea Bureau to carry out adm administrative nistrative tasks. In I n 1893, 1893, the these two small bureaux united united to form orm an internati rnationa onal orga organization calle called the United Inte Internati rnationa onal Bureaux for for the theProtec Protecti tion on of I ntellectual Pro Prope perty (be (best known by by its its Fre French acronymBIRPI acronymBIRPI). ). Based in Berne, Swi Switzerlan tzerland,wi withastaff of seven,this thissmall organization zationwasthepredecessorof theWorld World Intellectua ntellectual Pro Prope perty rty Orga Organiz nizatio ation nof today - a dyna dynamic entity ntity with with 184member States, States, a staff thatnow numberssome938,fro from m95countrie countriesaroundtheworl world, andwith withamission andamandatethatareconstantly constantlygrow growiing. As the importan portance of inte intellectual prope property rty grew, grew, the structure and and form form of the Orga Organization nization change changed aswell. well. In 1960, BI BI RPI RPI moved from fromBerne to Geneva to beclose closer to theUnited Nations Nations and and other international rnational organizations zations in that that city. city. A decade later, foll followi owing ngtheentryintoforce forceoftheConventionEsta Establish blishingtheWorld WorldInte Intelle llectual Property Orga Organization, nization, BI B I RPI RPI becam cameWIP WI PO, unde undergoing rgoingstructural and and administrative refo reform rms and acquiri cquiring ng asecretariat secretariat answerable swerable to themember States. States. In 1974, 1974, WI WI PO became a spe speci ciali alized zed agency gency of the the United nited Nations ations system of orga organiz nizati ations, ons, wi with amandate to administer intell intellectua ectual prope property rty matters recognized recognizedby the member State States of the UN UN. In1978 In 1978,, theWIP WI PO Secretariat moved into into the hea headquarters buil building that has now becomeaGenevalan landmark, with withspectacular views viewsof thesurrounding rroundingSwi Swiss ssandFr French countryside. WI PO expanded ded its its role roleand furthe furtherr demonstrate onstrated theimportance portanceof intellectua ntellectuall property property ri rights in the management of globali globalized zed tradein1996by 1996byentering ringintoacooperation cooperation agreementwith withtheWorld WorldTrade TradeOrganiz Organiza ation tion(WT (WTO) O).. The The impetus that led to theParis and BerneCon Convention ions - the desire ireto promote creativity creativity byprote protecting cting the works works of the mind - hascontinue continued to power thework work of the Orga Organiz nizatio ation, n, andits predecessor, for for som some120 years. But thescopeof theprotecti protection on andtheservices vicesprovi provide dedhavedevelopedand andexpandedradicall radically yduri duringthattim time. In1898 In 1898,, BI BI RPI adm administered steredonly four four inte internati rnationa onal treati treatie es. Today its succe success ssor, or, WIP WI PO, administers 24 treatie ties (threeof those thosejointly ointly with with other inte international orga organizations nizations) andcarrie riesoutari richandvaried riedprogramof rogramof work, work, through throughitsmemberState Statesandsecretariat, cretariat, that seeks to: to:
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harmonize onizenationa ational intellectualprope property rtyle legislation gislationandprocedures,
provide provideservice rvices s for interna internationa tional applica pplicati tions ons for ind industri ustria al property righ rights, ts,
exchangeinte intellectual property inform nformation,
provi provide de legal and technical nical assistanceto developing veloping and other countrie countries,
facili acilitatetheresolution resolution of private privateintellectual property disputes, disputes, and
NOTES
marshalinfor inform mationtechnology nologyasatool for storing, storing,accessing,andusingvaluable intelle tellectual propertyinfor inform mation. tion.
The TheWorldInt Intelle llectual Pro Property Organization ion(WIPO (WIPO)) isaspecialize izedagencyof the United Nations. Nations. I t is is dedicate dedicated d to devel veloping oping a balance alanced d and and accessible inte international intellectual property (I (I P) system system, which rewards cre creativi ativity, ty, stimulates stimulatesinnovatio nnovation n and contribute contributesto toeconomic developmentwhil whilesafeguarding rdingthepublic blicinte interest. WIP WI PO wa was esta establi blish she ed by by theWIPO WI PO Conventio onvention n in 1967 1967 with with amandate date from fromits Member State States to promote theprotection protection of IP I P throughout theworl world through cooperation ration among statesand in coll collaboration oration wi with other internationa rnational organiz organizations. ations. I ts headquarte rters are in Gene Geneva, Switzerl Switzerla and. The TheDirector Gen General is is Fra Francis Gurry Gurry. IP PROTECTI ON –WTO & WIPO
A streamline linedandeffi fficie cientpatentprotection, protection, inaddition additionto theindustry’s stry’smaturing relationship relationship with with capital pital markets is thehallmarks of a country’s try’s globa global leadership. rship. In contrast, most developing oping countrie countries do not havestrong strong IP IPR re regimes and suffer negati gative ve effects of “brain “brain drai drain”. The T hereason reason be being, ng, lack of effe effective ctive copyri copyright ght laws, which which force force scientists an and d technician nicians to immigrate to countrie countries, whe where competitor titors s protect their research from fromunfair exploi xploitatio tation. n. TheWorldTra TradeOrganization(WTO) TO) istheonlyglob lobal internation ional organization dealingwith withtherules rulesoftrade tradebetweennations. ations.At Atits itsheart aretheWTO WTOagreements, negotiate gotiated and signedby thebulk of theworl world’s d’s trading nations tions andratifi atifiedin their parli rliaments. Thegoal goal is to help producers of of goods and service rvices, s, exporte exporters, and importe porters conductthei their business. TheWorldTra TradeOrganization(WTO) TO) istheonlyinternational organiza ization iondealing with with the global global rule rules of trade betweennations. tions. Its I ts main function function is is to ensure ensure that trade tradeflows ows as smoothl oothly, y, predictably predictably andfreely aspossible. possible.
WHAT IS I S WTO? Location
:
Geneva, Switzerland
Established
:
1 January 1995
Cre Created by
:
Uru Uruguay Roundnegotiations(1986-94)
Membership
:
149 countries (on 11 December 2005)
Budget
:
175 million Swiss francs for 2006 21
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Secretariat staff
:
635
Head
:
Pascal L amy (Director-General)
Functions
Administering nisteringWTO WTOtrade tradeagreements
Forum orumfor trad tradenegotiatio gotiations ns
Handling dlingtradedisputes
Monitori onitoringnationa tional tra tradepolicies policies
Te Technical assistanceandtraining for develop loping countries Cooperation tion with withother inte internationa tional organ organizations izations
2.2. .2. T HE 10 10 BE BENEF NEFII T S OF WT O 1. Thesyste systemhelps prom promote pe peace ace 2. Disp Disputes arehandled dled constructively structively 3. Rules Rules makelife life easier for all 4. Fre Freer tradecuts cutsthe thecosts costsof livi livin ng 5. I t provides provides more choice choiceof produc products ts and qua qualitie ities 6. Tra Traderaise raisesincomes 7. Trade stimulates economic growth 8. Thebasic principlesmakelif lifemore efficien ficient 9. Governm Governmentsare areshieldedfrom fromlobbying 10. Thesystemencourage courages good governm government
The The World rld Int Intellectual Pro Property rty Or Organiza ization ion (WIPO (WIPO)) is an int internation ional orga organiz nizati ation on dedicate dicated to prom promoting oting theuseand protecti protection on of work works s of the thehuman spirit spirit.. Theseworks works— intellectual property— areexpandingtheboundsof science and technology ology andenriching nrichingtheworl world of thearts. Through Throughits its work, WIP WI PO plays plays animportant portant role rolein enhancing cing the quality uality and enjoym njoyment of life, aswell ascre creating ating real we wealth for nations. tions. With With he headqua adquarters in in Geneva, Switzerl Switzerlan and, WIP WI PO is oneof the16 spe speciali cialized zed agencie cies of theUnite nited Nations Nations systemof organ organizations. zations. It It administers 23internationa rnational tre treaties dealing aling with with diff different rent aspe aspects of inte intellectual ctual prope propert rty y protection. protection. The The Orga Organization nizationcounts183nations tionsas.Pl Pleasevisittthe helinksbelowfor for more oreinform nformation tion — both ge general and spe specific cific — on WIPO WI PO..
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NOTES
WIPO Today 1974: Specialized Agency of UN 1970: WIPO 1893: BIRPI 1883:Paris Convention
Status: Status:Aninte intergovernmental organization M ember States States: 183 Staff : 915from 94 countrie countries Treatie tiesAdmin Adminis iste tered: 23 Guiding Guiding Principle Pr inciples s:
Tra Transparency
Accountability
Consensus
To To promotetheprotectionof intellectual property throughout theworld through co-ope co-operation rationamongStatesand,wereappropr appropriiate, incoll collaboration orationwith withanyother internationa tional organiza ization tion To To ensureadministrativeco-op -operationamong theintelle llectual property Unions, that is, the the“Unio “Unions” ns” crea created by the Paris aris and and Berne Conve Conventi ntions ons and several subtre treaties conclude concluded by members of theParis aris Unio Union. n.
Promotion otion of inte intellectual property protection protection worldwide worldwide
Promotion otionof creativeandint inte elle llectual activity ctivity
Facili cilitati tation on of technology transfer and and dissemination tion of lite iterary and artistic rtistic works works
Modernizati odernization on and strengtheningof administr nistrative ativesystems
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2.3. WTO – WI PO COOPERATI ON AGREEM AGREE M ENT S.N S.N O. Artic ticle
Purpo Pur pose se
1.
Articl rticle e 1 Conve Conventi ntion, on, Standards Standards and Emblemaccep accepted
2.
Article rticle 2 Laws and Regul gulations tions
3.
Arti rticle 3
4.
Articl rticle e 4 Legal-T al- Technic echnica al ass assiistance and Technica hnical coope cooperation. ration.
5.
Arti rticle 5
Imple plementati tation of articl rticle e6 ter of Paris Paris conve conventio ntion n for the purpose of TRIPS agree agreem ment.
Fina Fi nal cla clause-Entry into force, orce, amendment of this agreement
HowWI PO Works Works The Theterms governingWIPO’s IPO’smandate, fun function ions, fin finances and procedures areset out in the the WIP WIPO Conv Conve ention. tion. M ember ber States States WIP WI PO’s O’s Me Member States States determine the strategic strategic dire direction ction and acti activi viti tie es of the Organ Organization. zation. Theymeetin intheAssemblies blies, committeesandwork workiinggroups. The Therearecurrently 184Member States, i.e i.e. over 90percent of thecountriesof theworld. Secretariat The TheWIPO Secretariat, or Int Internation ional Bu Burreau, isbased inGeneva. WIPO staff, ff, drawnfrom frommore orethan90countries countries, includeexperts rtsin indiverseareasof IP lawandpractice, as wel well asspecia cialists in in public blic policy policy, economics, administratio inistration n andI T. Therespectivedivision ionsof theSecretariatareresponsiblefor coordinatingthemeetings of Member State States and im implementing ting their decisions; decisions; for for administering nistering the internationa rnational IP registr registrati ation onsystems;for for developing opingandexecutingtheprogram programsdesignedtoachieveWIP WI PO’s goal goals; and for for providing providing a reposit repository ory of of I P expe expertise rtise to assist assist its its members. Core Tasks Tasks of of WI WI PO WIPO WI PO’s ’sactivi activiti tie esareconductedwithin withinthestrategic fram framework setoutin inthebiennial Progr rogram amand B Budge udget docum document and are dri drivenby demand fro from mMember States. States. The T hey fall fall broadly broadly into into thefol following owing areas.
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Deve Developing loping international I P laws and and standards standards WIP WI PO is is responsible ponsiblefor promoting promoting the progressivedevelopment andharmonizatio onization n of IP legislation, gislation, standardsandprocedures proceduresamongits itsMe Member States.This T hisinclude includesfurthe further developm velopment of international nternational laws laws andtrea treaties tiesregarding regardingpatents; trade trademarks, arks, industri industrial al designs signsandgeographical indications; ndications;andcopyright copyrightandrelatedrights. rights.
NOTES
WIP WI PO is is also also work working ing with with Me Member States to explo explore re IP IP issue ssues in in the the area of trad traditiona tional knowl knowledge, trad traditiona tional cultural cultural expressions sionsand genetic tic resources. WIP WI PO handlestheadministra nistration tion of 24 international tional tre treaties(16 onindustri trial prope property; rty; 7 oncopyrigh copyright; plus plustheconvention creating tingWIP WI PO). O). Deli Delive verring global IP I P prote pr otecti ction on services vices WIP WI PO administe nisters fee fee-base based servi rvices, based on interna international tional agreements, which which enableusersin inmember countrie countriesto file fileinte international rnational applica pplicati tions onsfor pate patents nts(PC (PCT), and internationa tional registratio registrations nsfor trade trademarks (M (Madrid adrid system), designs(Hag (HagueSystem), and appella llations tions of origin origin (Li (L isbon System). WIP WI PO administers four I P clas classifi sification system systems, which which organize organize the mass of inform nformation concerning rning inve inventions ntions,, trad trade emarks, and ind industri ustrial al designs into into ind inde exed, xed, manageable structur tructures esfor easy retri retrieval. WIP WI PO’s O’s Arbitration Arbitration and and Me Mediation Ce Center offe offers dispute resol resolution ution servi service ces s to businessesand indivi individua duals, incl includi uding ng in thegrowt growth h areaof Internet domain namedisputes. disputes. Encouraging theuseof IP for for economic development WIP WI PO runs runs a range range of program programs aimed at at incre increas asiing the the effe ffective ctive use use of I P by developing nations as a tool for economic development. Programs include technical assistancein support support of member countrie countries’ initia nitiatives tives to im improve their IP I P le legislative, gislative, instituti nstitutiona onal and humanresourcesframework; ework; strate strategies for innovation ovation promotion otion and IP IP exploitation; xploitation; econom economicstudiesandmaterial to inform nformpublic licpoli policychoices. Promoting otingbette betterr understanding of IP IP WIP WI PO create creates and and di disseminates awealt wealth h of publi public outrea outreach materia rial. This T his aim aims to encouragecreativity creativity andinnovation; andto increaseunderstandingof of howto prote protect and benefit fit fro from mtheresulting resultingI P. Seminars andinform nformation ation products roducts also target specifi cific c groups, such as creators, creators, small and medi edium-sized sized enterprise nterprises, res research rch instituti institutions ons and poli policymakers. Other Other awarene reness-raising ss-raising acti activi viti tie es contribu contribute to Member States’ States’ effor fforts ts in in the areaof enforce nforcement of I P rights rights.
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Providi Pr oviding nga forum for debate debate WIP WI PO meetingsregularly regularly bring ringtogether stakeholde holders from fromgovernm governments, rights-hol rights-holde ders’ groups and civil civil socie society in in order to facil faciliitateconstructi constructivedeba debateon curren current challenges. WIP WI PO also com commissions ssions and publishes studie studies on emerging issue issues. 2.4. GATT TheGeneral ral Ag Agre reement on Tariffs Tariffsand Trad Trade(GATT) I ntroducti ntroductio on The The General Ag Agrreement on Tra Trade and Tariff iff (GA (GATT) was set up on October 30, 1947 in Geneva Geneva with with 23 countri countries as it its s founde founder members, and India India was oneof them. I t was originall originally y set up as atemporary porary arran rrangement to bring bring about trade libe liberali ralisation. tion. India I ndia has alwaysbeenanactive active champion pion of multi ultillateral trade tradenegotiati gotiations. ons. GAT GATT T later became animportant ortantandpermanentset-up t-upto attendtoall all trade tradeissuesamongmember countri countries es. I ts membership rship also got enlarged to practicall practically y all themembers of theUnited Natio Nations, ns, except thecommunist unist countri countriesand East EastEuropea uropean countri countries. 2.4.1 Obj ectives ctives of GAT T The Thebroadaimof GATT hasbeento reducethetraderestriction ionsput upby indivi ividual nations tions in pursuit of their narrow narrow nati nationa onall interests. The Thegoal was to achi achieve through multil ultilate ateral negotiatio gotiations ns, settli ttlingof all trad tradedisputesthroughase setof rules rulesandregulations regulations evolve volved by GATT GATT for its its members. The Theother objectivewas to aimat tariff concession ions for for exportsand imports among thecountri countries, wit with h avie view to aimat developing veloping thefull useof theresources of the theworl world d and expanding trade. GAT GATT T always permitted exception to its its general rules rules, which which require requirethe eventual elimination inationofall all import restricti restrictions. ons.It I twasalwayssubjectto safeguardsinte intended toprotect protectleg legitim timateinte interestsof othertradingnations. tions.The T hemostim important portantexceptions tionsgiven by GATT GATT werethespecial cial protecti protection on given to agricul agriculture ture by most nations tions and allow many import restrictions to protect the farmers. Their rules also made import restrictions to protect protect thefarmers. Their rul rule es also madeexceptions xceptions in the caseof countries countries, which we were in‘ba ‘ balance lanceofpayments’ diffi difficulti cultie es. 2.4.2. 2.4.2. Work Work doneby theGATT AT T From rom1947 1947 to 1967, 1967, GAT GATT T sponsored sponsoredsix rounds roundsof multi ultilateral tradenegotiations gotiations mainlywi withaviewtobri bringdownthetradebarri rriersbypersuadingcountri triestobring bringdown their im import port levies levies with with aview viewto grea greater exchangeof goods goods and more oretrad tradeflow. The Thesixth sixth round round brought rought theweighted averagetarif tariff of of major trading trading nations tions to be reducedby 2% on raw materials rials and 7.7% on industri industrial al products. products.
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GATT ATT playe played a pro prom minent rol role in the settl settlem ement of of trade tradedisputes disputes betwee tween two countri countries. GAT GATT T playe played auseful rol role ebetween1947 and 1973. But But in intheseventies tiesthere were many changes, which which occurr occurred ed in the worl world economy. The Thefixed systemexchange rate wasmoving ovingtowards towards a floati floating ng systemof exchangeparity. parity. The Theoil oil pri pricesquadrupled rupledin 1973, andthreatenedto increase increasefurther. further. The There wasawor worldwide dwideeconomic rece recession ssion in 1974-75. Many of the deve developing opingcountri countries had haddive diversi rsiffiedtheir export export base, and were becomingcompetitor titors sto developedcountrie countries.
NOTES
I n 1974, the thenext round round of mul multil tilateral negotiations gotiations were commenced by GAT GATT, T, and it wasconcluded in 1979 at Tokyo, Tokyo, and was referredto as ‘To ‘Tokyo kyo round roundof negotia gotiations.’ tions.’ Here tariffs were lowered by 27% to an average level of 5%. Certain non-tariff barrier agreements and codes codes were also agreed to. An eighth ghth round roundof tra tradenegotiations gotiations under the theauspices of GAT GATT T was launched in in themid ei eighties. This This was known asUruguay Round. Round. Apa Apart rt from romtheusual exercise rcise to bring bring down the tradebarri rriers, it also attempted to draft draft tra trading rules rules to cover four four major sectors, ctors,notpreviousl previously yregulated.The Thesewereagricult griculture, ure,servi rvices,inve investment, andintellectua intellectual prope property rty rights rights(patents, trade trademarks copyri copyrightsetc). It I t was also decide cided that an instituti institutional onal framework work was to begiven to GATT, GAT T, and thuswasborn World World TradeOrga Organisation (WT (WTO O which which was to replaceGATT ATT as anape apex tra tradepoli policy body. The Thediscussions, manytimesvery vociferous, continuedfor eight lon longyears. Many of thedeveloping velopingcountri triesputforward forwardtheirvie viewstrongly stronglyto protectthei theireconomies,andin in theI ntellectual ectual Pro Prope perty rty Rights Rights discussion India I ndia pl played aprom prominent part andchangi nging many of the original original stringe stringent changeover for for the developing oping countr countries. ies. It I t also also protec protected ted theageold old traditi traditions ons of thefarmers to havetheright right to the their own own seedprotecti protection on and various variousothe other claus clauseswhich mayhaveabearingonour agricult riculture. ure. The Thedisc iscussion ions dragged on and ultim ltimately a deadlin line was give iven that it shouldbe completed at a conference conferencein Mor Morocco occo andthenew organ organiisation tion – WTO WT O – shoul should d come into existenceon 1st J anuary 1995. Accor Accordingl dingly y all thecountrie countries who aremembers of the GATT GAT T signe signed theWTO WTO agreement and lodge lodged theinstrument of ratif ratification cation onJ anuary 1, 1995. 2.4.3. 2.4.3. Patent Coope C ooperation Tre Treaty Summary ary of thePatent atent Coope C ooperation ation Tre Treaty (PC (PCT ) (197 (1970) The ThePatent Coo Cooperation ionTre Treaty makes it possible ibleto seek patent protection ionfor for an invention ntionsimultan ultaneously ineachof alargenumber of countries countriesbyfil filingan“inte “internationa rnational” patent applicati application. on. Such Such an applicati pplication on maybefiledby anyonewho is is a national tional or resident of a PCT PCT contracting State. It may generally rally befil filed with with the thenationa tional patent offi officeof the contracting contracting State State of which the applica pplicant nt is is a national or or resident resident or, at theappli applican cant’s t’s option, option, with withtheInternational rnational Burea Bureau of WIP WI PO in inGeneva. va. 27
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I f theappli applican cant is is a na nationa tional or resi resident of a contra tracting cting State State which is party to the the European Patent Convention, tion, theHarare Protoco Protocoll on on Patentsand Indu Industrial strial De Designs (Ha (Harare Protocol rotocol)), theBangui anguiAgreement, or or theEurasianPatent Convention, tion, the internationa rnational applica pplication tionmayalsobefile filedwith withtheEuropeanPa Patent tentOffi Office ce(EPO (EPO), ), theAfrican fricanRegiona ional Industria trial Prope Property Organization(ARI (A RIPO PO), ), Th TheAfrican fricanINtelle llectual Prope Property Organizatio nization n (OAP (OA PI) or theEurasian sian Patent Office Office(EA (EAPO), resp respe ectively. ctively. The TheTre Treaty regulates in detail theformal require irements withwhich ichany internation ional applicati application on must comply ply. The Thefilin iling of aPCT PCT applic lication ionautomatica ically lly has theeffect of thedesign ignation of all PCT contracting contractingState States.The Theeffectof theinternationalapplication applicationin ineachdesignatedState is the same as if if a nationa ational patent appli plication cation had beenfiled with with thenational tional patent of office of that State. State. The Theinternation ional applic lication ionissubjected to what iscalle lled an“internation ional search.” That searchiscarriedout byoneof themajor jor patentoffices[1] andresultsinan“international searchreport, ort,” ”thatis, is,alisti listing ngof thecitatio citations nsofpublish publisheddocumentsthatmightaffectthe patentability ityof theinventionclaim claimedin intheinternationa tional applica pplication. tion.In I naddition, ddition,aprelim preliminary andnon-bindi non-binding, ng,wri writtenopinion opiniononwhethertheinve invention ntionappearsto tomeetthepatentabili tability crite criteria in in ligh light of thesearch report results lts is also iss issue ued. The Theint internation ional search report and the writt itten opinio inion n arecommunica icated to the applican pplicant who, after evaluating ting their conte content, may deci ecideto withdraw withdraw his appli application, cation, in parti rticular wherethecontentof thereport reportandopinion opinionsuggestthatthegrantingof patents is unlikel unlikely y, or hemay decide cideto amend the claim claims in the theapplication. cation. I f theinternationa tional application pplication is not withdra withdrawn, it it is, is, together with theinternational rnational search report, ort, publi published bytheInternationa tional Burea Bureau. The T hewri written opinion opinionis not publish published at this ti time. I f theapplican pplicant deci decide des to continue continuewith with theinternational applica applicati tion on with with avie view to obtaining nationa tional (or (or re regiona gional) patents, hecan, in in relation relation to most contracting contracting States, wait wait until until theendof thethirt thirtiiethmonthfro from mtheprior prioriitydatetocom commencethenational tionalprocedure procedure before foreeachdesignatedOffi Office cebyfurnish furnishingatran translation slation(whe (wherenecessary) of theapplication plication into theoff offici icial languag nguage e of tha that Off Offiice, ce, paying paying to it it thenecessary fe fees and acquiring cquiring the services rvices of local local patent agents. I f theapplican pplicantwi wishestomakeamendmentsto theapplicatio pplication, n,ffor or example, inorde order to overcom overcomedocumentsidentifi identifiedinthesearch rchreport andconclusi conclusions onsmadeinthewri written opinion, opinion, andto havethepotential patentabilityof of the“as-am s-amended”applicatio application nrevie reviewed, theoptiona optional internationa rnational prelim preliminary examination inationmaybeused. Theresult of thepreliminary examinationis isanint inte ernationalprelim preliminaryre reportonpatentability bility(IP (I PRP ChapterII I I) which is prepared by one of the major ajor patent of offices [2] and which contains, contains, once again, a 28
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prelim preliminaryandnon-binding non-bindingopinion opiniononthepatentability ityof theclaim claimedinvention. ntion.It Itprovi provide des the applican pplicantt wi with an even stronge tronger basis sis on which which to evaluate uate his chances of obtaining obtaining paten patents, and, if if thereport is favorable, a stronger stronger basis on which which to continue continuewith with his appli plication cation before orethenational tional and regiona regional patent Of Offices fices.
NOTES
The The procedure under the PCT PCT has great advantages for for the applic licant, the patent offi offices cesandthegeneral public: public: (i). (i). applican plicants haveup to 18 monthsmore ore thanif the they hadnot used thePCT to refl refle ect onthedesira sirabili bilityof seeking kingprotection ctioninforeign foreigncountries countries, toappoint ointloca local patent agents in in eachfore oreign country, country, to pre prepare thenecessary tr translati slations ons and to pay the national ational fee fees; (ii). (ii). appli applican cants can rest assured ssured that, if if their inte international appli application cation is in in the theform orm prescri prescribe bed by the PCT, it cannot be rejected rejected on for form mal grounds grounds by any any PCT PCT contracting contracting State Statepatent Off Office during uring thenationa tional phaseof theproce processing of the application; (iii (iii). ).on on thebasis of theinternationa rnational search rep report ort andthewri written opinion, appli applican cants can evaluate with with rea reasonable pro proba babili bility the chan chances ces of their inventi nvention on being patented; (iv).applicants have the possibility during the optional international preliminary examination tionto amendtheinternati international onalapplicati application onandthusputit itin inorde order before ore proces processing sing by thevarious various patent Off Offices; (v). the sea search and examination tion work work of paten patent Of Office fices s can be consi considerably red reduced uced or elim eliminatedthanks thanks to the internationa rnational search report, thewri written opinion opinion and, where applicab plicable, theinternationa tional prelim preliminary rep report ort on on patentabilit ility y which are communicatedto thenationa ational andre regiona gional Off Officestogether with withtheinte internationa rnational application; (vi (vi).since ).sinceeachinternationa rnational applicatio plication nispublish publishedtogether with withaninternationa tional search report, third thirdparti rtiesare in abetter positi position to form formulateawellwell-found founde ed opinion opinion aboutthe thepotential tial patentabilityof of theclaim claimedinve invention; ntion;and (vii) (vii).f .for or appl pplicants, icants, inte internati rnationa onal publica licati tion on puts puts the world world on noti notice ce of their applicatio plications ns, whichcanbeaneffe ffective ctivemeansof advertising rtisingandlook lookiingfor potentia tial licensees. 2.5. .5. PATENT COOPERAT COOPE RATII ON T REATY RE ATY
(PC (PCT) – a multi ultilateral trea treaty which which became effective ctive in 1978 that eliminates some of theduplicati duplication on invol involvedwhen obtaining patent prote protection ction for for the thesameinvention ntion in several veral countri countrie es. Mor More e tha than 40nations tions are signatori tories of thePCT; with with the PCT it is is possible ossibleto fil file eand prosecuteasingle singleinternationa rnational applica application, tion, which whichhas the sameeffect effect as fil filing aseparateapplicati application on in in each PC PCT nation tion that the inventor tor designates at thetim time of filing the applicatio pplication. n.
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Thetreatythat facilit litatesfilingof international applicationsbetween40(Sept. 1988) member countri countrie es. It I t permits theappli plicant to fi file asingle singleinternationa tional appli plication thatwil willbeequivale quivalenttoanationa tional filingineachof thecountrie countriesdesignatedonthe application. ThePatentCoo CooperationTre Treaty(PCT) CT) providesaunifiedprocedurefor filin lingpatent appli applications cations to prote protect inve inventions ntions worl worldwide dwide, or or mor more e precisel precisely in about 125 countries. A single fili filing ngresults in in asingle sea search accompanied with with awritten writtenopinio opinion n (and optiona optionally a preliminary examination), tion), after which which theexamination tion (if (if provi provided by national tional law) law) and grant proced procedures arehandled by thereleva relevant national ational or or reg regional authorities. I tsim simplifi plifie estheprocess processof obtainingpa patents tentsinmanycountrie tries.A PCT applica pplication tion for for theinvention of interest is is filed filed with thePCT authorities thorities,, which prelim liminarily rily assess theinvention’ tion’s s patentability. Theassessment helpsonedecideif thecost andeffort of pursuingpatent protection for for the theinvention in specifi cific countri countrie es is justifi justifia able. ble. ThePCT PCT is administered by the World Inte I ntelle llectual Property Organization (WI (WIPO) PO) in Gene Geneva PCT is becoming more ore and more ore popular among the (115 (115)) member countri countries. es. Accordingto thestatistic of of World World In I ntelle llectual Prope Property Orga Organiza ization tion (WIP (WI PO), nearly rly 104,000 104,000 Inte I nternationa rnational applications plications unde under the thePCT were were fil file ed represe representing 14.3% increase increaseon the the number of applications pplications fil filed in in 2000. 2000. Major Major use user of of PCT PCT are:
USA 38%
GERMANY 13%
JAP J APAN AN 11%
U.K. U.K . 62% 62%
FRANCE 4%
Othe Other coun countri tries that have takenpart in in thePCT International application tion are Ind India, Colum olumbia, Equa Equator, Phili hilippines, Oman, Zambia and Tanzania.
2.5.1. 2.5.1. Ulti ltimately, ately, thePCT
brings bringstheworl world within within reach;
postponesthemajor ajor costs costs associate ociated with with inte international tional patent protecti protection; on;
provide providesastrongbasisfor for patenting tentingdecisions; cisions; and
is use used by by the theworl world’s major corporati corporations, ons, researchinsti nstituti tutions ons anduniversiti universities es whentheyseek internatio international nal patent protecti protection. on.
The ThePCT PCT created aUni Union, which ichhas anAs Ass sembly. Eve Every Stateparty to thePCT PCT is amemberof of theAssem Assembly. bly.
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The TheAs Ass semblyof thePCT PCT Unio Union n hasestablis lished aspecial measureto thebenefit fit of (1) natural perso persons ns who who are nati nationals onals of and reside residein States whoseper per capita capitanati national onal incomeisbelowUS$ U S$3,000 3,000,, and(2) applican pplicants, whether anatural personor not,who whoare nationals tionals of of and res residein State States which which are classed classed as least developed countries countriesby the United Nations. Nations. Tha That benefit consists of a reduction duction of 75 percent of certain certain fees under the the Tr Treaty.
NOTES
Details tails concerning rning the thePCT PCT canbeobtained byconsul consulting ting thePCT website site as wel well asthePCT PCT App A pplilica cant’s nt’s Guide Guide, published byWIPO WI PO in English Englishand Fren French (there are are also also Chinese, Ge Germanand Japa Japaneseeditions, tions, which which are not publi published by WIP WI PO) and thePCT Newslette wsletter, r, publish lished byWIPO WI PO in Eng Englilish sh. The The PCT PCT was conclud luded in 1970, amended in1979 and modifie ified in1984 and in 2001. I t is is open to States States party to theParis Paris Convention for for the theProte Protectio ction n of Ind I ndus ustri tria al Prope roperty rty(1883).Instrum I nstrumentsofratif ratifiication tionoraccessionmustbedeposited positedwith withtheDirector General of WIPO WI PO.. 2.6 TRI PS AGREEM AGRE EM ENT THE AGREEM AGREE M ENT ON TRADETRA DE-REL REL ATED ASPECTS OF I NTEL L ECTUAL ECT UAL PROPERTY PROPERTY RIGHTS RI GHTS (TRI (TRIPS PS)) The The WTO Ag Agrreement on Tra Trade-Related As Asp pects of Int Intelle llectual Pro Property Rig Rights (TR (T RIPS), negotiated duri during ngtheUruguay Round, introdu introduce ced intellectual property rule rules s for thefirst first tim timeinto themultilatera ultilaterall tradingsystem. TheAgreement, while whilerecognizing zingthat intellectual property property rights rights (IPR (I PRs) s) are private privaterigh rights, establi stablish she es minimumstand standards ards of protection protectiontha thateachgovernmenthasto give givetotheintelle intellectualprope property rtyri rightin ineachof the WTO WTO Member countrie countries. The T heMember countrie countries are, are, however, however, freeto provi provide dehigher standards of inte intellectual property property rights rightsprote protection. ction. The TheAg Agrreement is based onandsupplements, with ithadditio ition nal oblig ligations, theParis, Berne, RomeandWashingtonconventio conventions nsiin ntheir respective ctivefie fields.Thus T hus, theAgreement doesnot constitute constitute afull ully independent convention, tion, but rathe rather anintegrati grative veinstrum nstrument which whichprovides provides“Conv “Conve ention–plus tion–plus” ”protecti protection onfor IPRs. PRs. The TheTRIPS Ag Agrreement is, is, by its its coverage, themost comprehensive iveint internation ional instrument on IP I PRs, dealing aling with all types of IPRs, with with thesole exception ption of bree breeders’ righ rights. IP I PRs covered under theTRI PS agreement are: are: (a) Copyrigh Copyrightsan andrelate relatedrigh rights; (b) Tra Trademarks; (c) Geogra Geographical ical I ndications dications;; 31
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(d) I ndustria striall Designs (e) Pate Patents (f) L ayout yout designs of integrated cir circuits; cuits; and (g) (g) Protection rotectionof undisclosed undisclosedinformation (tradesecrets). The TheTRIPS TRIPS agreementisbased onthebasic principlesof theother WTOAg Agrreements, like non-di on-discri scrim mination ination clauses- Nationa tional Trea Treatment and Most Most Favoure Favoured Na Nation tion Trea Treatment, andareinte intendedto promote“technologi nological calinn innovation” ovation”and“tran “transfer anddisse dissemination” tion” of technology. ology. It It also recognizes recognizes thespecial cial needsof theleast-de st-develope veloped country country Mem Members in respe respect of providi providing ng maximumflexibil flexibiliity in in thedomestic tic im implementati ntation on of laws and regulations. Part V of theTRIPS Agree Agreement pro provi vide des an institutiona institutionalize ized, multil ultilateral teral meansfor for theprevention ntionof disputesrelating relatingtoIP I PRsandsettle ttlementthereof. reof. I tis isaimedatpreventing unilateral actions. 2.6.1. 2.6.1. (a) Copyri C opyrights ghtsand related lated rights Part II I I Secti Section on 1(Arti (A rticle cle 9 to Arti Article cle 14) 14) of the theTRI PS agre agree ement de deals with with the the minimumstandard in inrespect of copyri copyrights. Copyright opyright is a right right given by thelaw to cre creators tors of literary, terary, dramatic, musical and artisti rtistic c work works s and producers of cine cinematograph film films s and sound sound recor recordings. dings. It I t is is a bun bundle of righ rightsincluding, inte nter ali alia,ri a, righ ghtsof reproduction, reproduction,communicationto thepublic, adaptation tation andtranslation lationofthe thework. work. Therecouldbesligh slightvariations variationsinthecomposition positionof therigh rights dependingon onthework. work. TheCop CopyrightAc Actt, 1957protectsoriginal lite iterary, dramatic, musical andartisticworks and cine cinematograph tographfilms and and sound recordi recordings ngs from from unauthori uthorized use. Unlike nlike the case with withpatents,copyri copyright ghtprotects rotectstheexpressionsandnot theideas. Thereis isnocopyright copyrightin in an idea. The T hegeneral rule rule is that that a copyright copyright lasts for for 60 years. I n thecase case of original original litera literary, dramatic, tic, musicalandarti artistic stic works worksthe the60-year period riodis iscountedfrom fromtheyear follo ollowi wing ng the the death of the theauthor. In thecase of cinem cinematographfilms films, sound recordings, cordings, photographs, photographs, posthumous publications, cations, anonymous and pseudonymous publi ublications, cations, wor works of government and works works of interna international tional orga organiz niza ations, tions, the60-year 60-year period period is counted from romthedateof publicatio publication. n. The The Cop Copyrigh ight Ac Actt, 1957 came int into effect fro fromJ anuary 1958. This ThisAc Actt has been amended ded fi five tim times since since then, i.e., in 1983, 1984, 1992, 1994 and 1999, 1999, with with the amendment of of 1994 being themost substantial. ntial. TheCopyri opyright Act, Act, 1957 continue continues with with thecom common law
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THE TRI PS AGGREEM ENT
Agreements onTradeRela Relatedaspects of Intelle llectual Property righ rights (TRI (T RIP Ps) came into effe effect on Jan J anuary 1,199 1,1995. 5. It I t was amajor outcome of the theUruguay Round Round of multi ultillateral trad tradenegotiatio gotiations, ns, which which led to theestablishment of theWorld World Trad Trade Organization nization (WTO) (WTO)..
NOTES
Developing opingcountry countrymembersof theWTOhavehadtocomplywi withall theprovi provisi sions ons of TRI PS since J anua nuary 1, 1996. 1996. For For deve developing loping countries countries,, the the transiti transitiona onal arrang arrange ements incorporated incorporated into TRIPS allow a gradual phasing-in sing-in a period riod of 5 years till till J anuary 1, 2000. Suchaphasing-i sing-inperiod riodis isalso permittedto form ormer centrally ntrallyplan plannedeconomies, which which arenow in in theproces process of tran transiti sition on to themarket economy.
Copyr opyrights ights in theT RI PS Ag A greement
Protection rotection of work works s coveredbyBerneConvention. ntion. (Art.9 (Art.9)) Protection rotection of computer puter program programs as literary literary works works andof compilatio pilations nsof data. data. (Art.10) Art.10) Recogniti cognition of re rental rights rights, at le least for for phonograms, com computer progra programs, and for for cine cinematographi atographic works. works. (Art.11) Art.11) Recogniti ecognition on of a 50 50 years’ minimumtermfor for wor works ks owned owned by by juri juridical dical persons, and for for perfor perform mers and phonogram onogramproduce producers. (Art Ar t 12 12) Exceptions tions to exclusive xclusive rights rightsmust belim limitedto special cases, which which do not confl confliict with with a normal exploitatio exploitation n of the work and do not unreas unreasonably onably pre prejudice the legiti gitimateinterests of the rights rights-holder. (Ar (Artt 13 13) Recogniti cognition of ri rightsof perfor rform mers, produce producers, of phonogramsand broad roadcasting organizations zations. (Art.14 (Art.14))
Developm evelopments elsewhere have brought about a certain certain degree greeof convergence convergencein copyright copyright regimesin thedeveloped worl world. TheCopyrightAc Actt iscomplia liant with ithmost international convention ionsandtreatiesinthe field of copyrights. Ind I ndia is a member of theBerneConvention for for theProtection rotection of Li L iterary andArtistic rtistic Works Works of 1886 (as modif odified at Pa Paris ris in 1971), 1971), and the theUniversal Copyright Convention tion of 1951. ThoughIndia is not a member of of the theRomeConvention tion of 1961, the Copyright Copyright Act, Act, 1957is fully fully complia pliant with with theRomeConvention provisions. provisions. Tw Two new treaties, colle llectivelytermedasInt Internet Tre Treaties, werenegotiated in 1996 under theauspicesof theWorld World Inte Intellectual Property Property Orga Organization nization (WI (WIPO). O). The Thesetre treaties ties are calle lled the the ‘WIPO WI PO Copyrights Copyrights Treaty (WCT (WCT)’ )’ and the ‘WIPO WI PO Perform Performa ance nces and and Phonograms Treaty reaty (WP (WPPT)’. )’ . The Thesetrea treaties tieswerenegotiate gotiated essentiall ntially y to provi provide defor for theprote protection ctionof therights rightsofcopyri copyright ghtholde olders, perfor rform mersandproducersof of phonograms in theI nternet and digi digital tal era. India I ndia is is not amember of these treatie ties as yet. 33
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2.6.2. 2.6.2. (b) Trade Tr ademarks arks Part II I I Secti Section on 2 (Arti (A rticle cle 15 15 to Article rticle 21) 21) of theTRI PS agree greement contai tainsthe provi provisio sions ns for minimumstandards in res respect of Trademarks. A trad trademark is is adistinctiv distinctive esign which identi identiffies certain rtain goods or service rvices s as as those producedor provide provided by aspecif cific person or enterprise. rprise. Its I ts ori origin dates datesback to anci ancie ent tim times, whencraftsmenreproducedtheir signatures, or “marks” rks”onthe theirartisti artistic cor utilit utilitarian arian products. products. Ove Overthe theyearsthesemarksevolved evolvedinto today’ssystemof trade trademark registrati registration on and protecti protection. on. The T hesystemhelps consumers identif identify and purchas urchaseaproduct product or service vice becauseits nature and quality, indicated by its its unique unique trademark, meets the their needs. eds. A trad trademark provi providesprotectio protection ntothe theownerof themarkbyensuring uringtheexclusive xclusiveright rightto useit to to ide identify ntify goods or service rvices, or Trad Trademark in the theTRI TR I PS Ag Agre reement:
Protectab rotectablle subject matter includes includes any si sign, com combination bination of signs capab capable of distingu distinguiishi shing the goods or service rvices s fro from m others. others. Registra gistration tion depe depends on disti distincti nctiven venessenduse. (Art 15 15) Rights on the owners of of registered trademark conferred conferred to prevent third third party not havinghisconsent,fro fromusing musingin incourseof tra traderelating relatingtoidentical ticalgoods/ services. (Art. 16 16) Exception xception to exclusive exclusive rights rights must belimited and takeinto account thelegiti gitimate interest of of thetrad trademark owner and and of third third partie parties. (Art. 17 17) The Theminimumtermof protection issevenyears, indefinitelyrenewable.(Art.18) Art.18) Requirem quirementsfor for usearetobelim limitedinterm termsof boththeminimumperiod iodof nonuseand theadmissibil ssibility of reasons for non-use non-use. (Art.19 (Art.19)) Special require requirements for for usearelimited, aswell asthe conditi ditions ons of li licensing and assignment of of trade trademarks. arks. ((A Art 20 20) A trade trademark may be assi assigne gned without without tran transfer of of the business to which which it it belongs.(A belongs.(Art. 21 21)
To To authorize izeanother to useit inreturnfor apayment. The Theperiodof protection ionvaries, butatrad trademarkcan canberenewedinde indefinitely nitelybeyondthetimelilimiton onpayment of additi dditional onal fees. es. Tradem Trademark prot protectio ection n is is enforc nforced edby thecourts, courts, whic which h in most systems have the authority thorityto toblock block trademarkinfr infriingement. The Therearetwo internation ional treaties governing Tra Trademarks - theMadridAg Agrreement Concerning the theI nternational rnational Re Registra gistration tion of Ma Marks rks andtheMadrid drid Protocol Protocol.. I n India, India, theTradeMarks Act, Act, 1999 was passed on 30th De December 1999 and cam came into for force ce on 15th 15th September 2003. Before efore commencement of this this Act, the Trade & MerchandiseMarks Act Act governed theprotection protection of trademarks in in India, India, which which ha has now been replaced by theTradeMarks Act. Act. TheTradeMarks Act, Act, 1999 is in in coherence erencewith with 34
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theprovisions provisionsof theTRIP RI PSAgre Agreement.The ThenewAct Actprovide providesfor registrationof trademarks rks for servi rvices in in additi ddition on to goods, and has increa increased theperiod riod of registrati gistration on and renewal from from7 yrs to 10 yrs.
NOTES
2.6.3 2.6.3 (c) Ge G eogr ographical I ndica ndicati tions ons(GI (GI ) Section Section 3 Part II I I (Arti (A rticle cle 22 22 to Articl Article e 24) 24) of the theTRIPS RI PS A Agre greement conta contains ins the the provisio provisions ns for for minimumstandards in in respect of geographical indicati indications. ons. Geographical Indicatio I ndications nsof Goods Goods aredefine fined as that aspect of intellectual prope property rty which re refers to thegeographical cal indicati ndication on referring referring to a country country or to a place si situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product. Typically, such a name conveys anassuranceof quality anddisti distinctiven nctiveness which is is essentiall ntially y attri ttributable to the fact of its its origin origin in that define fined geographical locali locality, ty, region or country. Under Art Artiicles1 (2) and 10of the theParis Conve Convention ntionfor the Protection rotection of Ind I ndustri ustrial al Prope Propert rty y, geograph geographiical indications indications are cove covered red as an element of I PRs. GI in theT RI PS Agree Agreement
L egal egal means shall beprovi provided dedto prevent use of anindication ndication in in a manner that mislea isleads thepublic or when it constitutes unfair competiti tition, on, and to inva invalidate a tra trademark if if thepublic is is misle isled asto thetrue trueplaceof origin. origin. (Art.22) Art.22) Additiona dditional protectionis isconferredongeographical indications tionsfor wine winesandspiri pirits, includingwaysofprotecting protectinghomonymousindications. indications.(Art.23 (Art.23)) Negotiations otiationsshall beunderta rtakentoestab establish lishamultilatera ultilaterall systemof notifi notification tion and registratio registration, n, ai aimed at at increa increasing sing theprotectio protection n of indicati indications ons for wine wines and and spirits.(Art.24 spirits.(Art.24)) Exceptions xceptions to the requi requirred protecti protection on maybebased on prior prior and continuous continuous use of anindicati indication, on,prior prior applicationor registration registrationin ingoodfaithof atrademark, or on the customary useof the indication. indication. (Art.24) Art.24) Obli Obligations tionsonlyrelatetogeographicalindications indicationsthatareprote rotectedintheir country of origin origin. (A (Art 24 24)
I n Ind India, ia, theGeograph Geographical cal Ind I ndiications tionsof Goods (Re (Registration and andProte Protecti ction) on) Act, 1999 cam cameinto forc force ewith with eff effe ect fro from m15th Septem September 2003. This T his Act Act see seeks to provide provide for for theregistration registration andprotection protectionof Ge Geographical Ind I ndications relati relating ngto goods in Ind India. The TheCon Controlle ller General of Patents, Designs andTra TradeMar Marks is also theregistrar for the Geographical Indications, I ndications, and and theGeographical Indications ndicationsRegistry gistry is locate located at Che Chennai. 2.6.4. .6.4. (d) I ndustr ndustriial Des Designs (I D) Section Section 4, Pa Part II I I (Arti (A rticle cle 25 andArticle rticle 26) 26) of the the TRI TRI PS Agre Agreement contains tains the the provisi provisions ons for minimumstandards in respect of I ndustri trial designs.
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Industrial ustrialdesignsareanelementof intellectual property. property. Industria strial designsreferto tocre creative activi ctivity ty, which which result result in the theorna ornamental or form forma al appearanceof a pro product. duct. Design rights rights refer to a novel or original original design that is is accorded accordedto the pro propri prietor etor of a validly idly regi registered design. But But it it doesnot include includeany modeor principl principle eor constructi construction on or anything which which is insubstanceameremechanical nical device. device. Indiahasalreadyamendedits itsnational tionallegisl legislatio ation ntoprovi provide defor theseminimal standards. The The essential purpose of the Design igns Ac Actt, 2000 is to promote and protect the design ign element of industria strial producti production. on. It I t is is also intended to prom promote innovative activi ctivity ty in in the field of industri ndustrie es. The prese present le legislation gislation is is align aligne ed with with the changed technical technical and commercial rcial scenario rio andconfor conform msto theinternati internationa onal tren trendsin indesignadministration. nistration. Unde nder the DesignsAct, the des designs would not include any trade mark, rk, as defines in in theTrade radeMarks rksAct or property mark or artistic artistic works works as as define fined in theCopyrightAct. The The duration ion of the regist istration ion of a design ign is init initia ially lly ten years fro fromthe date of registratio registration, n, but in in cases where claim claimto pri priori ority has beenallowed allowed theduration duration is is ten years from romtheprior prioriity date. This This initi initial al period period of re registratio gistration n maybeextended by furthe further period period of 5 years on an appli application cation before fore the the expiry xpiry of thesaid initi initia al period riod of I ndustr ndustriial Des Design in in theT RI PS Agree Agreement:
Prote rotection ction to ne new or ori original designs. (Art.25 (Art.25))
Protectionfor for textil textile ede designsthroughindustria strial designorcopyrigh copyrightla law.(A (Art 25 25).
Exclusive xclusive rights rights can be exercise xercised against acts for for commercial ercial purpose purposes, incl including uding importation. importation. (Art 26 26) MinimumTermof Prote rotecti ction on is te ten years. (Ar (Artt 2 26 6)
Copyright The Theproprietor of adesign ignmaymakeanapplica ication for such anextension ionassoon as thedesign signis registe registered. 2.6.5. (e) Patents Section Section 5 Part Part I I of the theTRIPS RI PS A Agre gree ement (A (Article rticle 27 27 to Articl Article e 34) 34) conta contains ins the the provisions provisions for for stand standards ards in re respect of thePatents. A Patent atent is is an exclusiv xclusive e right right granted by acountry country to the theinventor nventor to make, use, manufactureandmarketthe theinvention ntionthatsatisf satisfiiestheconditi conditionsof novelty, innovativen ovativeness andusefulne efulnessMe Membersarerequired uiredtocom complywith withtheParis arisConve Convention ntionfor theProtection Protection of Industrial ustrial Prope Property. rty. I ntroduction ntroduction of Pate Patent Law Law in India I ndia took place in 1856 1856 wherebycert certain ain exclus xclusiive privi privillegestotheinventors ntorsof newinve inventions ntionsweregrantedfor aperiod eriodof 14years.Prese Presently ntly, 36
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the patent provisio provisions nsin India India are are governed by thePatentsAct, 1970. 1970. The T heI ndian Patents Act is is fully fully compa compatible tible with the theTRI PS Agree greement, foll followi owing ng amendm ndments to it; it; thelast amendment being in in 2005 by thePatents (Am (A mendment) Act Act,, 2005.
NOTES
Product roduct patents in in the field of of pharmaceuticals ceuticals and and agro-che agro-chem micals have been introducedbydeleting tingSection ction5of thePatentsAct. Thoseinventionswhichareconsidered amerediscovery discoveryof anewfor form mof aknownsubstanceor merediscoveryof of anewprope property or newusewil will notbeconsideredpatentable.A provision provisionfor for patenting tentingof software softwarethatis is embeddedinhardware hardwarehasalso beenintroduced introducedin inthePate PatentsAct. Act. The Thetermof every patent isnow for 20 yearsfromthedateof filin iling. Pro Provisionsfor the pre-gran pre-grant oppositi opposition on to the grant of patents have also been incorporate incorporated in in theAct. Earli arlier suchprovisions provisions were were avai vailable only for for post-gran post-grant opposition. opposition. The T hefiling iling dateof a patent application pplication and its its completespecifi cification tion wil will now bethe Patents in theT RI PS Ag Agreement:
Patents shall begranted for for any inventions, tions, whe whether products products or or proces processes, in in all fie fieldof technology nology, provi provide dedtheyarenew,invol involve veaninventive tivestepandarecapable of ind industria ustrial applica plication. tion. No No discrim discrimination inationinrespect to placeof inve invention. Exce Exception ption availablefor diagn diagnostic, ostic, the therapeutic utic andsurgical surgical methods of trea treatment for for humans or anima nimals, as well as pl plants and animals and essentiall tially y biol biological ogical process processes for theproducti production on thereof. of. (Art.27 (Art.27)) Exclusive right right to owners against third third party for for using using sub subjject matter in including cluding process of patent, without without his consent. (Art 28 28) Inventions ntions shall bedisclo disclose sed in in amanner, which is is \suffi \sufficie ciently ntly clear and complete for for a skill skilled person person in theart to carry carry out theinvention. tion. (A (Art. 29 29) Limitedexceptions ptionsto the theexclusive xclusive rights rightsprovi provided such exception tion do not confl confliict with with norm ormal exploitatio oitation nof thepatent. (Art.30) Art.30) Revocation/forfeiture is subject to judicial review. (Ar (Artt 32 32) The The termof protection ion shall be at least 20 years fro fromthe date of applic lication ion. (Art.33) Art.33) Reversal versal off off the theburde burden n of proof in civi civill procee proceedings relati relating ng to infri infring nge ement of process process patents is is to be establishe stablished in in certain tain cases. (Art.34) Art.34)
I nter nternational national date of fi filing li ng for the patent patent as per per the provisions provisions of of the Patent Patent Coope ooperration Trea Treaty ty A provi provisi sion on has also been introduced introduced in the Patents atents Act to enable enable the grant of compulsory licensesfor forthe theexport of medicine cinestocoun countrie trieswith withlilimitedor nomanufacturing ufacturing capaciti cities esto meet emergent ergent public public health alth situations. situations. The T helaw effectively ectively balances balances and and
37
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calibra calibratesintellectual propertyprote protection ctionwith withpublic publichealthcon concernsandnational security. curity. This This provisio ision n is in lin line with ith the Decisio ision n of th the WTO of of 30 30 Au Aug gust 2003 on the I mplementation tation of Paragraph Paragraph 6 of theDoha Decl Declarati aration on on the theTRI PS A Agree greement and and Public Health. 2.6.6. .6.6. (f) L ayout ayout Des Designs of Inte I nteg grated Cir Ci rcuits Articles rticles35 to 38 of Se Section 6/Pa 6/Part II I I of theTRIP RI PS agree agreementcontains theprovisions provisions for for prote protection ctionof righ rights ts in respe respect of La L ayout Designs Designs of Inte Integrated Circui Circuits. ts. The The basis for for protecting int integrated circ ircuit design igns (To (Topographies) inthe TRIPS Agreement is is theWashi shington ngton Trea Treaty on on Inte I ntellectual Pro Prope perty rty in in Re Respect of I ntegrated Circuits, ircuits, 1989. Indiaisasignatory torytothis thisinte internationa tional agreement. I n Ind Indiia, theI PRs PRs on thelayout ayout designs designs of inte integrated circuit circuits s aregoverned governedby the the Semicond iconductor uctor Inte I ntegrated Circui Circuits ts La Layout-Design yout-DesignAct, 2000. Unde nder this Act, a layoutlayout-de design sha shall beconsidere considered origina originall if it is theresult result of of its creator’s creator’s own ownintellectual eff effor orts ts and andis not commonly only known to thecreators of layoutdesignsandmanufacture ufacturersof of semiconductor integratedcircuit circuits satthetim timeof itscrea creation. tion. Butalayout-de ayout-design,which whichisnotori origina ginal,or which whichhasbeencommerciall ercially yexploi xploited tedanywhere in Ind I ndia ia or in a convention country; or which is is not inherently tly distinc distincti tive ve;; or or which is is not inherently ntly capable of being distinguishab distinguishable from fromany other registered layout-de layout-design, shall not beregistered registeredasalayout-de ayout-design. sign. But But if if a layout-de layout-design sign which hasbeen L ay out out Des Design in in the T RI PS Agree Agreement:
Protection rotection in accordance with with Tre Treaty on Inte Intellectual ctual Pro Prope perty in in Respect of Inte ntegratedCircuit. Circuit. (Art.35) Art.35) Protecti rotection on shall extendto layout layout designs signsassuchand to theindustri trial articl articles esthat incorporate ncorporatethem. (Art.36) Art.36) Bonafide fidepurchasers of products involvi involving nginfri nfringinglayout designs shall beliable to pay compensation tion to the rights-hol rights-holde der afte after. (Art.37 (Art.37)) Te Termof protection ionisaminimumof 10 years notific ifica ation. (Art 38 38)
Comm ommerciall ercially y exploi xploited ted for for not more than than two years fro from m the dateon which which an applicatio plication n for its its registration registration hasbeenfil filedeither in in India India or in inaconvention ntioncountry country shall betrea treated as not having having beencommercial erciallly exploi exploited. The Theregist istration ion of alayout-de -design ign shall beonlyfor for aperiod iod of ten years counted from fromthedate of fil filing ing anapplication pplication for for registration registration or fro from mthedate of fi first comm commercia rcial explo exploiitation tation anywhe nywhere in Ind I ndiia or in in anycountry whiche whichever ver is is earlier arlier. No N o person shall be entitl titled edto insti institute tute any proceeding to prevent, or or to to recover recover damages for, for, the theinfri nfringement of anunregisteredlayout-de layout-design. 38
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