India's new IPR policy a step in right direction: Verma

Describing the new IPR policy by the Centre as a "step in the right direction", US Ambassador to India Richard Verma today stressed the need for robust IP protection mechanism, saying foreign investors would also make decisions based on steps being taken to protect Intellectual Property.
"India's recently released IPR policy which really is a step in the right direction towards nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within a strong national IPR framework. There is always room for improvement, however.
"We continue to have a robust dialogue with the government on everything from patent, copyright and trademark protection. We need to arrive at that optimal place where IPR frameworks provide a strong protection that innovators need without the encumbrance of red tape, delay, frivolous litigation that stifles innovation.

"We also need to improve the enforcement on the ground and that's where initiatives like TIPCU come in which can play crucial role..." he said.
Verma was speaking at the launch of Telangana Intellectual Property Crime Unit (TIPCU), set up by the state government in coordination with the Telugu film industry.
Observing that India and the US share a mutual interest in strengthening their intellectual property regimes, Verma said America can help India build an IPR environment, by working together closely, to deter theft of IP.

Foreign investors would make their decisions on the quality of actions taken to protect intellectual property right, he said.

"IPR infringement also impacts India's global economic reputation as a destination for investment. Investors today are watching with interest how governments and businesses are working together to protect intellectual property rights. They will make decisions based upon the quality of these actions.
"IPR, strengthening IPR, strengthening IPR enforcement is a big part of our government-to-government dialogue and it will be going ahead in the months and years," Verma said.
Noting that piracy adversely affected the livelihoods of
thousands in the world of films and others, he wondered how could artistes and other creative people continue to produce their works if they are not protected.

"If we don't protect their livelihoods, how can these musicians, directors and artists continue to produce their great work," Verma said.
Recalling that Indian movies served as a powerful connection to the homeland for his and other families who lived in Western Pennsylvania in the US during his childhood, he said such is the case around the world.
The movies used to be shown on the wall of a local gymnasium when he was a kid, he recalled.
Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao said the state government initiated steps to check the piracy menace when the Telugu film industry approached it and promised to add to the bouquet of activities of TIPCU.

Talking about the damage caused by piracy, leading Telugu producer D Suresh Babu said the number of film theatres or screens had come down to 1,700 in undivided Andhra Pradesh from about 3,000 screens in 2000.
The industry lost "serious money" due to piracy and it impacted the lives of a large number of personnel in the film industry.
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Meanwhile, Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao held a meeting with Verma, a government release said.
Stating that he recently visited the US, the minister told Verma that during discussions American companies expressed readiness to invest in Telangana, it said.

Rao told the envoy that Telangana government was ready to work with America in 14 priority areas, including IT and pharmaceuticals.
The Telangana government is making efforts to set up a 'country desk' in the US and also to have an outpost of the T-Hub, the start-up incubation centre established by the state administration here, in Silicon Valley, the release added.