Intellectual Property

A question recently arose before SC, does ‘damage to property’ in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act include intellectual property (IP)?

• SC judgement: It expanded the definition of ‘damage to property’ in the Act to include intellectual property.

About: Intellectual property rights are the rights given to persons over the creations of their minds. Ex - patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, industrial designs, geographical indications & plant variety rights. 

oAim: To foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.

oProtection of IPR in India: Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the apex body regulating IPR.

ü IPR regime of India is in compliance with the WTO’s agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).