Govt approves modifications in Trade Marks Bill

NEW DELHI: The government today approved modification in the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill to ensure better protection for Indian trademarks abroad.

"The amended bill will provide better protection to Indian trade marks in designated member countries and afford reciprocal protection to trade marks from member countries abroad," Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Prithviraj Chavan told reporters after the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

The changes in the legislation, he said, would also encourage transfer of technology through trade mark licensing and franchising and promote overall business confidence in Indian IPR system globally.

The modification in the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill, 2007 is based on the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce. The bill, the minister said, would be introduced in Parliament.

The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 23,2007 and was referred to the Standing Committee for consideration.
The committee, which had endorsed the proposal and objectives of the bill in general, presented its report to both Houses of Parliament in March.