Country Reports April 10, 2009

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Country: INDIAPeriod of Report: April 2009
  1. The Government has decided to bring in a comprehensive legislation by way of ‘India Innovation Act’ to give a fillip to research and innovation and position India as a leader in the 21st century. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has circulated a copy of this proposed Act and has asked for comments.
  2. International Property Rights Index (IPRI) which measures 115 countries’ performance in the protection of both physical and intellectual property and shows the direct effect of these institutions on economic well-being ranks, India as 49th amongst 115 countries in 2009.
  3. International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) recommends that India remain on the Priority Watch List (Super 301) in 2009 estimating the Trade Losses due to Copyright Piracy is estimated at USD 1096.2 millions in India.
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 Country: PAKISTANPeriod of Report: April 2009
  1. Chairman of Intellectual Property Right Sub-committee of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the Pakistan government to promulgate the pending bill on Geographical Indications (GIs) which is still pending since 2000.
  2. International Property Rights Index (IPRI) which measures 115 countries’ performance in the protection of both physical and intellectual property and shows the direct effect of these institutions on economic well-being ranks Pakistan as 97th amongst 115 countries in 2009.
  3. International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) recommends that Pakistan remain on the Priority Watch List (Super 301) in 2009 estimating the Trade Losses due to Copyright Piracy is estimated at USD 77.0 millions in Pakistan.
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Country: BANGLADESHPeriod of Report: April 2009
  1. Bangladesh Parliament approved the Government’s Trademark ordinance (integrating the Trademarks Act-1940 and Merchandise Marks Act-1989), with some revisions, on March 18th, 2009, clearing way for Bangladesh to enter the World Trade Organization.
  2. International Property Rights Index (IPRI) which measures 115 countries’ performance in the protection of both physical and intellectual property and shows the direct effect of these institutions on economic well-being ranks Bangladesh as 114th amongst 115 countries in 2009.
  3. International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) submits Special Mention report on Bangladesh to highlight continuing piracy problems and estimating the Trade Losses due to Copyright Piracy is estimated at USD 56.0 millions in Bangladesh.
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Country: NEPALPeriod of Report: April 2009
  1. International Property Rights Index (IPRI) which measures 115 countries’ performance in the protection of both physical and intellectual property and shows the direct effect of these institutions on economic well-being ranks Nepal as 98th amongst 115 countries in 2009.
  2. Nepal has filed petitions to register trademarks of Pashmina (a Nepali name for finest fur extract of mountain goats) in more than two dozen countries including US, Australia, the EU, Canada, Japan and Norway, among others. This will establish Pashmina as a commodity different from Cashmere, a brand name of similar Indian and Chinese products.
Country: SRI LANKAPeriod of Report: April 2009
  1. Sri Lankan Tea Board is seeking protection for the Ceylon Tea Brand (Ceylon: Former name of Sri Lanka) and seven growing areas as ‘geographical indication’ in Sri Lanka and other foreign countries.
  2. NIPO of Sri Lanka has made available electronic search of Trademarks, Patents and Industrial Designs.
  3. International Property Rights Index (IPRI) which measures 115 countries’ performance in the protection of both physical and intellectual property and shows the direct effect of these institutions on economic well-being ranks, Sri Lanka as 53rd amongst 115 countries in 2009.