India rejects US charges on IPR

New Delhi: India on Tuesday dismissed the US allegations on intellectual property regime saying its laws are fully compliant with international agreements. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma's remarks coincides with U S Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal's India visit. Sharma said India's IPR laws are in compliance with the WTO norms. "When it comes to intellectual property rights (IPR), I must firmly put on record that India is signatory to Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and our laws are fully compliant with the agreement of the WTO. India has never deviated, never diluted (its law)," he told reporters here. In fact, he said, due to the tough visa regime, skilled Indian professionals face issues travelling to the US. "There are issues which India has raised, where we feel there is very high and unacceptable protectionism. Also their visa regime...We have objected because they (Indian skilled professionals) are not immigrants," the Minister said. India had also raised concerns over hike in visa fee by the US, he added. The US industry and trade lobbies are putting pressure on their government to take action against India alleging New Delhi's IPR regime discriminates American companies, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. The US had also raised serious concerns over issuance of a compulsory license (CL) by India. Sharma said issuance of a CL is a flexibility available to all countries and India has used it only once after following a "due process", unlike the US which has issued such licences several times through executive authorities. The Minister said over 80 CLs have been issued worldwide so far through executive orders but, till now India has never adopted this route. "What is asked from India is TRIPS plus. India has made it clear that India will never accept TRIPS plus. India will adhere in letter and spirit to the multilateral agreement negotiated and signed," he added. As per the WTO norms, a CL can be invoked by a national government allowing a company to produce a patented product without the consent of the patent owner in public interest. U S Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal is on India visit between March 4-6. During the trip, Biswal would senior Indian officials to discuss a full range of bilateral and regional issues. When asked whether he will meet Biswal, Sharma said: "She is one of the officials of the USTR and officials will meet officials at their levels." Last month, the US has dragged India to WTO on country's solar mission plan. Source :  http://zeenews.india.com/business/news/economy/india-rejects-us-charges-on-ipr_95580.html