More awareness on Intellectual Property Rights: SC judge

A concerted effort including awareness among advocates and general public was the need of the hour to protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as a number of cases relating to it are increasing both in India and abroad, a senior Supreme Court judge said on Saturday. Justice Kabir, who was in Chennai on the inauguration of the Judges' Round Table on Intellectual Property Rights Adjudication, praised the development of IPR in the country and specifically mentioned a case won by an Indian in the US on patent rights of Basmati rice. "Today there are a lot of developments in trade and we have opportunities to know about the laws on Intellectual Property in various countries. But there is not much awareness," he said. "Intellectual Property rights is not a new concept, it's an age old one but still there is not much awareness among advocates and the common public," Justice Kabir said, adding that awareness was required as a number of IPR-related cases have increased in domestic courts as well in foreign countries where Indian companies have to battle against international rivals. "There are 75 cases on patent rights (pending) in the Delhi High Court and some cases in Mumbai and Chennai High Courts," he said. Kabir asked state governments to play a role in balancing the cost of medicines sold to the common man, as some companies, which held patent rights sold them at a high cost. FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council Chairman M Rafeeque Ahmed said, "Receiving the benefits of intellectual property rights is not automatic. It requires favourable legal, regulatory and policy frameworks." Justice Kabir spoke about the need to have enforcement of IPR laws, not merely at the level of the Central government but also at the state level. The state police, the state judiciary and customs all have to get involved in better enforcement, he added. By Ms.Bobby Aanand, Metropolitan Jury.

"Loved reading this piece by Ms. Bobby Anand?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group