Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which establishes a wide ranging and flexible mechanism for cooperation in the field of intellectual property and information technology services related to this field. The MoU, which was signed on 26 September 2020, lays the foundation for a technical cooperation between India and Denmark with the aim of strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights for the benefit of innovation and sustainable economic growth.
“I am extremely pleased to enter into this partnership today. I strongly believe that our cooperation will strengthen not only the ties between our organisations, but also between the research institutions and companies of our two countries as well. We know that an enabling intellectual property environment fosters innovation, investment and technology transfer, which are key components for sustainable development and job creation. We are proud to partner with India and look forward to the cooperation,” says Director General of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, Mr. Sune Stampe Sørensen.
The Danish and Indian governments have a common interest in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship and wish to strengthen mutual trade and investment as part of broader bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The partnership between India and Denmark on IPR will also contribute to realizing the potential for a stronger bilateral cooperation on green technologies through joint efforts to improve the IP environment in India that will enable effective registration, protection and utilisation of IP rights.
“The protection of intellectual property rights is a prerequisite for technology transfer and can help bring innovations to markets, where they can support the transition towards a sustainable environment. In this way, the Indo-Danish partnership on IPR contributes to a conducive landscape for green and climate friendly development and helps our two countries fare better in a post COVID-19 world” says Ambassador of Denmark to India, H.E. Freddy Svane.
Through the Indo-Danish partnership on IPR, DKPTO and DPIIT will exchange best practices and work together on training programs and technical exchanges to increase capacity, raise awareness and better protect intellectual property rights. Under the aegis of DPIIT, the collaboration will involve The Office of the Controller General for Patents Designs and Trade Marks / the Indian IP Office and the Cell for IP Awareness and Management (CIPAM).
The MoU is valid for four years and will be renewed on a rolling basis based on joint reviews.
Features of the MOU
A joint committee with members from both sides will be formed to decide cooperation activities to be taken under the MoU in following areas:
- Exchange of best practices, experiences and knowledge on IP awareness among the public, authorities, businesses and research and educational institutions of both countries;
- Collaboration on training programs, exchange of experts, technical exchanges and outreach activities as specified in the Work Plan agreed upon between the Parties;
- Exchange and dissemination of best practices, experiences and knowledge on IP with the industry, universities, R & D organizations, authorities and Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) through participation in programs and events in the matter, organized singly or jointly by the Parties;
- Exchange of information and best practices on processes for disposal of applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs and Geographical Indications, as also the protection, enforcement and use of IP rights;
- Cooperation on the development of automation and implementation of modernization projects, new documentation and information systems in IP and procedures for management of IP;
- Cooperation on the understanding of how Traditional Knowledge is protected; including the use of traditional knowledge related databases and awareness raising of existing IP systems;
- Sharing experiences and best practices in respect of IP-related issues including inter alia financial services like IP valuation and appraisal, so as to facilitate the implementation, trade and commercialization of IP;
- Other cooperation activities as may be decided by the Parties with mutual understanding.