World Intellectual Property Day Discussion Calls for High Standards of IP Protection

Consul for Public Affairs Frederick J. Kaplan, Dr. V.A. Nambi of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Mr. G.K. Muthukumaar of Anand & Anand, Mr. J. Vadivelu, Vice President of SICCI and a section of the audience at the World IP Day program.

April 27: Marking the World Intellectual Property Day, the U.S, Consulate General - Chennai in collaboration with The Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industries organized a discussion on “Patents and Traditional Knowledge” on Monday, April 27, 2009. The US Mission’s First Secretary for Intellectual Property for South Asia Mr. Dominic Keating made a presentation and joined in the discussion via digital video conferencing. Dr. V.A. Nambi of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and Mr. G.K. Muthukumaar of Anand & Anand Law Firm responded to Mr. Keating’s presentation giving the Indian perspective. About 60 people representing legal experts, industry organizations and civil society organizations participated in the discussion.

Detailing the activities of his office in India, Mr. Dominic Keating stated that the U.S. Mission is working with governments and industry associations to promote high standards of intellectual property protection and enforcement in South Asia. While acknowledging the progress India has made in this area, he stressed that documentation of the knowledge available in the public domain on various traditional systems has become imperative in order to safeguard them. Dr. Nambi and Dr. Muthukumaar stressed the importance of differentiating between the soft and hard IP solutions while discussing patenting of traditional knowledge. In India documentation and interest is strong in the field of traditional medicine. Wide-ranging traditional knowledge systems in the country are largely undocumented, necessitating an inclusive approach to protecting them. High standards of protection and effective safeguards will ensure that knowledge is not misappropriated and the system is not manipulated