Intellectual Property: India

Gordon Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the (a) timetable and (b) content is of the bilateral action plan agreed with the Indian intellectual property rights authorities, as referred to in the answer of 5 July 2007, Official Report, column 1163W, on intellectual property: India.

Ian Pearson
The information is as follows:

(a) It is still not clear what the timetable for implementing the bilateral action plan will be. However, there will be further talks with India in this matter next month, as part of the Economic Trade Committee discussion. We are keen that we move forward on this as soon as we can.

(b) The action will focus on the following areas:

Training and management of Patent and Trademark officials

Developing the Patent and Trademark Attorney profession

Sharing experiences and best practice on the investigation of IP infringements and their resolution

Strengthening of training facilities

Increasing the awareness and understanding of IP by industry.