IPRs

The two codes are crucial for safeguarding public interest and fostering economic growth with innovation

India and the UK are working to iron out differences on issues like intellectual property rights (IPRs) and rules of origin under the free trade agreement being negotiated by the two countries, a top government official said on Friday. The 11th round of talks is underway in the UK for the agreement. Negotiations for the trade agreement started in January 2021. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that out of 26 chapters in the agreement, 14 have been closed. In five chapters there are certain important contentious issues pertaining to environment, labour, and digital trade. This agreement is the "most complex" one which will be going to be signed by India, he told reporters here. "UK will be the first with which we are going to have a comprehensive FTA which we have not signed with any other developed country as such," he added. There are some differences with respect to IPR and rules of origin (ROO). "In services also, there are few issues...So we are working on those issues.

Indian Railways will invest more than Rs 50 crore annually to fund startups, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, adding that unlike other such collaborations, IPR for innovations will remain with the innovator.

Prabhu also launched the official website of Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM)

As per the policy, DIPP will be the nodal department for all IPR related developments in India