U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center Comments on Indian Supreme Court Patent Ruling
Decision Undermines Intellectual Property Rights, Casts Doubt on Future Innovation and Investment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Supreme Court of India upheld a lower court decision to deny a patent on Glivec, an innovative cancer medication. Nearly40 countries from around the world including China, Russia, Mexico, and the United States have granted Glivec’s parent company, Novartis, with patent rights to the breakthrough cancer treatment.
“The decision against patent rights in India today will negatively impact businesses’ ability to invest in tomorrow’s medical and technological advancements,” said U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center Executive Vice President Mark Elliot. “Upholding the integrity of intellectual property rights is essential to guaranteeing future innovation not just for India, but for other countries around the world. This is especially the case in sectors, like pharmaceuticals and medical research, which require extensive up-front research and development expenses and exhaustive resources in time and manpower.”
The U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) recently released a study, GIPC International Intellectual Property Index: Measuring Momentum, which compared IP environments across the globe. The study found that India consistently ranked last among nearly every indicator, calling into question the country’s commitment to promoting innovation and continuing its path toward creating a knowledge-based economy.
“Unfortunately, this high court decision is a symptom of a much larger problem in inadequate protection of intellectual property rights in India,” Elliot stated. “The GIPC is committed to working with the Indian government and stakeholders to demonstrate how critical the integrity of India’s intellectual property climate is to future innovation, free enterprise, and the lives that depend on these advancements.”
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) rights as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
www.uschamber.com @USChamber www.freeenterprise.com
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