WIPO India Action Plan
Cooperation with the World Intrllectual Proprrty Organization (WIPO)
The Office engages in various WIPO meetings, conferences, and discussions on IP policy, contributing to the development of global IP frameworks and standards. India is a party to several key WIPO treaties that help streamlining and protecting IP globally, including, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Madrid Protocol and Berne Convention etc. The Office also collaborates with WIPO to conduct several activities under the WIPO-India Action Plan (link).
- 1. The Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP). CDIP is responsible for creating a work program to implement the forty-five recommendations of the Development Agenda. It monitors, assesses, and reports on the progress of these recommendations, coordinates with relevant WIPO bodies, and discusses intellectual property and development-related issues as determined by the Committee or the General Assembly.
- 2. The Diplomatic Conference to conclude an International Legal Instrument relating to Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge associated with Genetic Resources.
- 3. The CGPDTM attended the 'WIPO-MCST-COV International Symposium on copyright enforcement' held at Hanoi, Vietnam from 17th to 21st June 2024.
- 4. 'WIPO-RGNIIPM Advanced Training Course on Patent Search and Examination for Asia and the Pacific' was conducted from 24th to 28th June 2024 in New Delhi.
- 5. The Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Session of the WIPO General Assembly. The meetings were focused on reviewing WIPO's progress, setting future priorities, and making decisions on key policy and procedural matters, including the renewal of the IGC mandate and discussions on intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge.
- 6. The Session of the Committee on WIPO Standards (CWS). CWS serves as a forum to adopt new or revised WIPO Standards, policies, recommendations, and statements of principle relating to intellectual property data, global information system-related matters, information services on the global system, data dissemination, and documentation.
- 7. The 21st Session of the Working Group on the Legal Development of the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks which focuses on updates to the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks.
- 8. The 31st Session of the Meeting of International Authorities under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT-MIA), hosted by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). {Report Link}
- 9. The Session of the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP). The SCP is currently discussing five key substantive topics: exceptions and limitations to patent rights, including aspects like experimental use, scientific research, prior use, and regulatory approval; quality of patents, with a focus on patentability criteria, inventive steps, opposition systems, and AI's role in patent examination; the relationship between patents and health, including the impact on access to medicines and vaccines, and the retrieval of patent information; confidentiality of communications between patent advisors and clients, particularly in cross-border legal proceedings; and technology transfer, exploring the role of patents in facilitating or impeding the transfer of technology, with practical examples shared by members and observers.
- 10. The 13th Session of the Working Group on the Legal Development of the Hague System which focuses on updates to the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs.
- 11. The 10th Session of the WIPO Conversation on AI Output: To Protect, or Not to Protect.
- 12. The Diplomatic Conference to conclude and adopt a Design Law Treaty (DLT) held at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 13. The PCT Regional Seminar for ASEAN Member States on Enhanced Use of the PCT System and Patent Examination Procedures.
- 14. The Sessions of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore (IGC). The WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore (IGC) has been entrusted with a renewed mandate aiming to finalize international legal instruments for the protection of traditional knowledge (TK), and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). The mandate includes sessions focused on negotiations, stocktaking, and resolving outstanding issues. Discussions on TK and TCEs will continue, with an emphasis on narrowing differences and achieving consensus. The Secretariat will provide technical assistance and facilitate the participation of Indigenous Peoples, while the committee will report its progress to the General Assembly in 2025.
- 15. WIPO DDG (copyrights) Ms. Sylvia Forbins with her team visited India from 28th March to 2nd April 2025.
- 16. WIPO ADG, Mr. Marco Aleman with his team visited Delhi from 2nd April to 4th April 2025.
- 17. WIPO Director General Mr. Daren Tang visited India from 29th April to 1st May 2025. The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate on capacity building in IP analytics. Additionally, updates on recent initiatives under the WIPO-India Action Plan were shared. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Action Plan and agreed to initiate discussions on its renewal later this year.
- 18. WIPO-RGNIIPM Advanced Certificate Training Program for Patents Examiners was organized from May 5 to May 16, 2025, at MCRHRD, Hyderabad. Around 25 newly-inducted Indian examiners and 14 foreign IP officials from 10 different countries participated in the program. During the program, the participants underwent an intensive training in the field of IP including prior art search, examination practices, IPC and patent practices. Apart from the classroom sessions, the program also aimed at showcasing Indian culture and heritage.
