Newsletter - India IP SME Helpdesk

The World Intellectual Property Indicators report analyses global intellectual property (IP) activity, utilizing 2022 filing, registration, and in-force statistics from national and regional IP offices. It encompasses data on patents, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, microorganisms, plant variety protection, and geographical indications. The report states that India, has experienced six consecutive years of growth, with patent filings surging by a quarter in 2022, marking the fastest increase since 2005.

European Union (EU) Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski is going to visit India from 7th to 9th December 2023. He will lead a business delegation of over 50 EU company representatives from the agri-food sector. The event "The EU and India: a partnership in food excellence" which will take place on 8th December, will provide an opportunity to explore various aspects, including ensuring the safety, quality, authenticity, and sustainability of agri-food products, trends in food and beverage innovation, EU food quality policy on Geographical Indications, and products that are not widely available on the Indian market.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has released the Draft Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2023, for public review. The draft introduces changes to the fee structure for certain applications and requests under the Geographical Indications Act. This change may aim to encourage producers and agriculturists at the grassroots level to actively seek protection for their Geographical Indications.

In the ongoing Basmati rice intellectual property (IP) dispute between India and Pakistan, the Delhi High Court recently dismissed a 15-year-old suit against India's export of Basmati rice. The suit, filed by Trading Corporation of Pakistan Pvt. Ltd., Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, and Basmati Growers Association, sought an injunction against the Indian government's notification allowing the export of "evolved" Basmati Rice under the mark "Super Basmati."

The lecture series, organised in collaboration with the Horizon Results Platform and the European IP Helpdesk, aims to cover intellectual property (IP) aspects in different areas each lecture explores various concepts of IP valorisation. The final session, titled "Thinking International - International Business Opportunities," will delve into the IP landscape in different geographical areas. Additionally, it will provide insights into the services offered by International IP SME Helpdesks.