India’s WIPO Accessions: Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights
India recently joined three significant WIPO arrangements, bolstering the pursuit for trademark and design protections. This move showcases India’s robust commitment to the World Intellectual Property Association, as highlighted by WIPO Director General Francis Gurry.
WIPO Director General’s Views
Mr. Gurry, on June 7, 2019, welcomed India’s accession to the Decent, Vienna, and Locarno Understandings. He emphasized India’s proactive stance in intellectual property and its global cooperation, expressing immense appreciation for India’s engagement in the international intellectual property system.
“This deep engagement on the part of India in the World Intellectual Property Organization and in the international intellectual property system is extremely welcome.” – WIPO Director General Francis Gurry
India’s Perspective
Ambassador Rajiv K. Chander echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of these treaties in India’s intellectual property landscape. He noted the substantial leap in India’s global innovation index ranking in recent years, anticipating these treaties to further bolster India’s competitiveness on the world stage.
“This is a big event in India’s intellectual property rights space. In recent years we’ve had a substantial jump in the global innovation index ranking of India. And I’m sure these treaties would also be a major step in that direction of improving India’s competitiveness. This also shows that our relations with WIPO are getting stronger and increasing and we are confident that this trend will continue in the coming years.” – Ambassador Rajiv K. Chander
Vienna Agreement: Establishing a Universal Order for Marks
The Vienna Agreement introduces a classification system for marks containing symbolic elements. By indicating these elements in official documents, national intellectual property offices facilitate trademark searches and international document exchanges without the need for individual national systems.
India becomes the 34th member of the Vienna Agreement.
Nice Agreement: Streamlining Trademark Registrations
This agreement establishes a classification system for goods and services concerning trademark registrations. Member states must specify the classification of goods or services for each trademark registration, simplifying the administrative process.
India joins as the 88th member of the Nice Agreement.
Locarno Agreement: Classification for Industrial Designs
The Locarno Agreement introduces a classification system for industrial designs, streamlining the identification of classes and subclasses for registered designs. Intellectual property offices are mandated to indicate these classifications in official records and publications.
India becomes the 57th member of the Locarno Agreement.
India’s accession to these treaties not only signifies its commitment to intellectual property rights but also enhances its global competitiveness. These steps strengthen India’s relations with WIPO, marking a positive trajectory in the realm of intellectual property.
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