INTA Delegation Deepens Ties and Celebrates India’s Dynamic IP Landscape

In October, an INTA delegation to India, led by INTA President Dana Northcott and INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo, visited Mumbai and New Delhi, marking the Association’s 11th official visit to the country. Since 2011, INTA delegations have actively engaged with India’s intellectual property (IP) stakeholders, reinforcing the jurisdiction’s growing importance as a leading economy and regional IP hub.

The delegation’s agenda included high-level discussions on modernizing IP legislation, enhancing anticounterfeiting frameworks, and establishing a National IP Rights Coordination Center.

The visit commenced in Mumbai with a meeting with the Head of India’s IP Office, Prof. (Dr.) Unnat Pandit and other senior officials, during which many key and pressing issues were discussed and deliberated, including the recent revalidation exercise being conducted at the IP Office. This was followed by a policy roundtable organized by the Enforcement Committee that focused on the potential creation of a specialized IP Division at the Bombay High Court. Legal experts and stakeholders shared insights on how a dedicated IP court could streamline dispute resolution in India’s financial hub.

The delegation continued to New Delhi for a pivotal meeting with Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry and senior officials from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. There, INTA’s leaders discussed potential reforms, such as the creation of a National IP Rights Center and the bolstering of IP enforcement mechanisms. This key meeting highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s IP infrastructure and exploring collaborative opportunities with INTA.

Further engagements in New Delhi included discussions with Nivruti Rai, CEO and Managing Director of Invest India, to reinforce strategic partnerships and advocate for stronger IP protections for investors. The delegation also met with Surjit Bhujbal, Member (Customs) and Special Secretary to the Government of India, and S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, to address anticounterfeiting initiatives and leverage technology in IP enforcement.

The delegation met with esteemed judges and legal luminaries at a special event hosted at the Delhi High Court. INTA took this opportunity to express its gratitude to Justice Manmohan and Justice Prathiba M. Singh for their significant contributions to advancing IP law and education in India. The event also marked the launch of the second Annual Report of the Delhi High Court IP Division. Overall, this significant event highlighted the vital role of judicial engagement in shaping a robust IP framework.

The delegation also hosted members of the India and South Asia Global Advisory Council as well as IP attachés from various foreign missions to gather insights on regional IP challenges and priorities.

The visit included a lively INTA Member Reception hosted by INTA associate member Lall & Sethi, drawing more than 200 members and guests for an evening of celebration. Ms. Northcott and Mr. Sanz de Acedo also headlined at IP Feast 3.0, a cultural event hosted by INTA associate member Anand and Anand, which beautifully highlighted the fusion of IP with India’s vibrant cultural heritage.

Held just a week before Diwali, the festival of lights, this visit embraced the festive spirit, showcasing India’s vibrant IP landscape and the energy that drives its innovation and growth.

INTA India and South Asia Consultant Gauri Kumar supports the Association’s members in India and South Asia. In collaboration with staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City and Representative Offices around the world, Ms. Kumar works on the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives throughout the region. To learn more about INTA’s activities in India, please contact Gauri Kumar. 

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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