WIPR | 9 November 2016
UK and India sign wide-ranging IP agreement
The UK and India have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation on a range of intellectual property-related activities.
Prime Minister Theresa May and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the signing of the agreement, which was put together by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Indian Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP).
The countries will exchange best practices in the IP field, such as streamlining the processing of patent, trademark and design registrations.
“Technical exchanges which can involve supporting enforcement authorities and assisting mechanisms for the judicial resolution of IP disputes” are also part of the agreement.
Activities including business advice on how to value and secure IP, as well as education campaigns, also fall under the scope of the agreement.
Signed by Adam Williams, acting director of international policy at the IPO, and joint secretary Rajiv Aggarwal, of India’s DIPP, the agreement “reflects the importance of IP for economic and social development in both regions”.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe, minister of state for energy and intellectual property, said: “I have been very impressed with the rapid progress India has made with its intellectual property regime in recent years. A strong IP system is an important catalyst for running a modern innovative economy.”
She added that it makes “perfect sense” for the countries to share best practices and look to improve the respective systems as much as possible.
“I look forward to working closely with our India counterparts to ensure that innovative British and Indian businesses can thrive, whether their operation is in Manchester or Mumbai,” said Neville-Rolfe.
Sir Dominic Asquith, British high commissioner to India, added: “The signing of a MOU on intellectual property between India and the UK is an important development that will promote innovation and creativity in both countries.”
He added that it will help the UK to support India’s drive to “improve ease of doing business, thereby advancing trade, investment and economic growth”.
May and Modi also spoke at the TECH Summit in New Delhi, India, which took place between November 7 and 9.