WASHINGTON: A Geneva-based intergovernmental organization of developing countries has slammed America and developed world countries for pressurizing India over its IP (intellectual property) laws, which it alleged undermines the legitimacy of WTO.
"The Indian IP laws include balanced provisions to ensure that IP rights do not hinder the ability of the government to adopt measures for promoting development priorities, particularly in the area of public health," South Center said in a statement Tuesday vehemently opposing any US move to take any action against India.
"These are fully in line with the TRIPS Agreement and reaffirmed by the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health," it said.
The statement comes after the US International Trade Commission (USITC), a federal American agency, has initiated a probe against India's domestic trade and investment policies particularly intellectual property laws.
Several U.S.-based organisations have urged the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to include India as a priority foreign country in the Special 301 review for 2014, alleging that India lacks adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs).
"The South Centre views these recent developments as most inappropriate, as it is against the spirit of the landmark Ministerial Declaration on TRIPS Agreement and Public Health," it said in a statement.
"India and other developing and least developed countries have the right to use the flexibilities in the TRIPS Agreement to the fullest extent for advancing public health needs and other development priorities," South Centre said.
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