Anand Sharma defends India’s IP Law at Indo-French CEOs meet

NEW DELHI: Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma defended India’s intellectual property regime in his address at the Indo-French CEOs forum in Paris on Monday. This follows issues raised by the French CEOs on the Supreme court verdict in April, which denied a patent to the Swiss pharma major, Novartis, for its anti-cancer drug Glivec.

The SC judgement had held that ‘evergreening’ was not allowed as per Indian Patent Act, drawing flak from the European nations.

“India’s intellectual property laws were completely TRIPs (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) compliant... We have used the TRIPs flexibility with far greater restraint than a number of other countries, including some developed countries”, said Sharma.

He, however, pointed out that, “It was ruling by the highest court and not an executive pronouncement.” Sharma sought French support at the political level for early conclusion of the India-EU Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement, which would contribute to growth in bilateral trade and investment.

French minister for economy and finance Pierre Moscovici said that France supported the India-EU BTIA. The FTA talks are on since 2007, however, despite 16 rounds of negotiations, contentious issues are yet to be ironed out. While India has emphasised on data secure status, EU wants zero duty on auto and wines and spirits. Sharma invited French companies to invest in the country in sectors like infrastructure, transport, high technology and energy, and assured them of providing a conducive and positive policy environment for foreign investments in several key sectors.

The minister urged the French government to provide strategic support to French industries interested in doing business with India. He also met CEOs of French companies with a large presence in India, including Lafarge and Capgemini, who briefed him of their future plans in the country.