The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has recognized remarkable progress in India’s innovation ecosystem, marking an eight position ascension to reach the 36th rank among 50 countries in its international intellectual property (IP) index for 2019. Diverse specific reforms prompted this growth, ranging from joining the WIPO Internet Treaties to initiating a patent prosecution highway with international patent offices.
India’s IP Reforms: Facilitating Improvement
Particular reforms have acted as catalysts in enhancing India’s performance on the IP index. The country’s accession to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Internet Treaties has been a significant contributing factor. Moreover, a vital development has been the agreement to initiate a patent prosecution highway with global patent offices.
Additionally, India has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening its intellectual property environment by implementing a dedicated set of IP incentives specifically designed for small businesses. A series of administrative reforms meant to expedite and streamline the patent backlog have also contributed to the improvement.
Despite these advancements, it’s important to note that challenges remain. The report highlighted the need for further improvements, particularly in areas pertaining to the country’s patenting process and IP enforcement procedures.
The IP Climate across the Globe
The seventh edition of the report, aptly titled as “Inspiring Tomorrow”, provides an analytical insight into the IP climates of 50 world economies. The analysis is based on 45 key indicators that are crucial to maintaining an economy led by innovation.
| Index Rank | Country | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 42.66 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 42.22 |
| 36 | India | 18.22 |
About WIPO
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is an international platform for services, policy, information, and cooperation regarding intellectual property. A self-funded subsidiary of the United Nations, WIPO comprises 192 member nations.
The organization’s core mission revolves around steering the development of a robust, effective international intellectual property system. This system strives to foster innovation and creativity that serves the interests of all parties involved. The WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967, outlines its mandate, governing bodies, and procedures.
Among the many agreements within WIPO’s purview are the Marrakesh Treaty for visually impaired individuals, the Patent Cooperation Treaty from 1970, and the Madrid System. WIPO has its headquarters based in Geneva, Switzerland.
