India unhappy with US at being put under 'watch' on patents

India has conveyed its "big disappointment" to the US for retaining New Delhi on the 'Priority Watch List', which binds Washington to exert pressure on America's trade partners to improve their copyright and patent regimes.     

"It is a big disappointment for us. Why should we be on the 'Priority Watch List (PWL)' even after the recognition we have got from the World Intellectual Property Organisation," N N Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, told PTI today.      

Prasad said India has sent its strong reaction to the US. "Let's wait for the results," he said.      

The US Trade Representative (USTR) issues an annual Special 301 report, which examines in detail the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in America's trading partners.      

Once a country is listed under the PWL, it provides a basis to the US for a "constructive engagement" with its trading partners. According to Indian patent experts, this means exerting diplomatic pressure on a country for improving its patent regime.      

In its latest review, the USTR said, "Large scale copyright piracy, especially in the software, optical media and publishing industries continues to be a major problem" in India.