Pressure intensifies on India over software and pharma patent protection in key Asian trade negotiations
Jacob Schindler
The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has grabbed its fair
share of headlines in both Asia and the Americas after the US House of
Representatives’ dramatic rejection
of a key part of the package. But although intellectual property
features prominently in the deal, it may not have much of an impact on
Asia’s overall IP climate even if it is passed. That’s because China and
India – commonly cited as two of the most important (and problematic)
markets in the region – are not party to the TPP. They are, however,
both participating in negotiations for another trade agreement, the
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and recently leaked
documents show that India’s policies on software and pharmaceutical
patents are firmly on the agenda.
