India-USA MoU on Intellectual Property Cooperation

India’s DPIIT and USA’s US Patent and Trademark Office recently signed a MoU on intellectual property cooperation. The memorandum is expected to benefit both countries by enabling exchange of best practices and experts, organisation of and participation in training programs, outreach activities, etc. It will also include cooperation to understand the issues concerning traditional knowledge. The 2 countries are to draw up a biennial work plan for the implementation of the MoU. It is being considered as landmark step in furthering the objectives of National IPR Policy of 2016.