NEWSLINKS
MILLENNIUM- FEATURES
INDIA & THE W.T.O.
NEW GOVERNMENT
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
COMMENTARY
CREDIT POLICY
BUDGET 1999-2000
USEFUL INFO
ARCHIVES
SEARCH REDIFF

WTO-compliant Patents Bill tabled in Upper House

A bill to amend the Patents Act was introduced in India's Upper House of Parliament (the Rajya Sabha) on Monday.

Information Technology Minister Pramod Mahajan assured that the government would have no hesitation in referring it to a select committee if members so desired.

The Patents (Second Amendment) Bill 1999 seeks to meet India's obligations under the World Trade Organisation's Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs Agreement.

It provides safeguards for the public interest, national security, biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

Designs Bill passed

Media reports also said the Rajya Sabha passed the TRIPs-related Designs Bill in the complete absence of non-Congress opposition members who had walked out at the start of discussion on the bill protesting that such an important measure was being rushed through.

The bill, which incorporates new clauses relevant to the present day trade environment, was passed by a voice vote. Earlier, Minister of State for Commerce Raman Singh assured that members' suggestions would be considered while framing rules for implementation of the legislation.

The bill, linked to TRIPs, seeks to repeal the outmoded 1911 Designs Act.

Business