Speeches and Remarks 2006
Protecting Innovation in India
By
Robert O. Blake
(This signed article appeared in the April 26, 2006 edition of Financial Express)
As we celebrate World Intellectual Property Rights Day, protecting copyrights, patents, trademarks and other types of intellectual property rights is not just important for a wealthy few. Intellectual property rights are about the very things that make life safer, longer, more comfortable and fun. We are talking about things that provide sustenance, jobs, incomes, and entertainment. We are talking about ideas and identity; things you make and grow and invent and the wealth they can produce. You may not have thought about it before in exactly this light, but intellectual property has an indelible impact on the quality of daily life of every citizen in India.
The importance of intellectual property rights is something that unites us - not divides us. The immense value we all gain from respecting and enforcing those rights should be a bond between our two countries. Why? Because intellectual property and economic development are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, the drive to innovate is the engine fueling global economic growth today. It should and can fuel development. This is particularly true for the United States and India since joint research and development is becoming such a touchstone of our two knowledge-based economies.
With its growing pharmaceutical, software and entertainment industries, India has much to gain from implementing a more robust IPR regime. Increased intellectual property protection would boost bilateral trade and investment with the United States. High-tech trade and collaborative research and development are growing but could increase faster - furthering India's own economic objectives. How?
If India takes steps to strengthen its legal and regulatory regime for intellectual property protection, India's own thriving industries would benefit. For example, India's own pharmaceutical companies hope for changes that will reduce the backlog in pending applications for patents.
The Indian entertainment industry - one of the world's biggest and most creative - wants changes, too. When movies or music are pirated, everyone in the entertainment industry loses. Not only are India's famous stars and artists not adequately rewarded for their creativity, but producers, distributors, and everyone else who works on a movie set or in a music store - carpenters, clerks, accountants, set painters, delivery truck drivers, and technicians - are hurt, too.
Cable television piracy proliferates in India. Some estimate that tens of thousands of illegal systems are operating. Illegal cable stations show pirated videocassettes, video compact discs (VCDs) and DVDs, hurting all parts of the legitimate motion picture industry in India - theatrical, home video and television. Pirated videos become available even before they are released in local theaters.
Sadly, the effects of piracy and counterfeiting are not limited to these examples. Besides the losses creators suffer, pirated products divert badly-needed tax revenues from governments by moving funds through illegitimate channels. These diversions also fuel organized crime, further bleeding society. At the worst, some of these counterfeit products even injure or kill. Fake automobile brakes, airplane parts, infant formula - even medicines - are sold by unscrupulous manufacturers and dealers who profit from consumers' lack of awareness.
We want to join hands with India and other partners around the world to stop the tide of fakes and theft that threatens growth and security. Governments at all stages of development are realizing that counterfeiting and piracy hurt their economy, limit their potential, and threaten the health and safety of their citizens. These governments understand that to achieve a sustained, mature, modern economy they must enhance enforcement of intellectual property rights. Robust intellectual property protection and enforcement help attract foreign investment, and stop the diversion of tax revenues from the government. Local companies and entrepreneurs want stronger intellectual property protection as they develop their own products and services.
The importance of IPR protection in the U.S.-Indian relationship was underscored during the President's historic visit to India in early March. In their joint statement, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh agreed that the United States and India will work together "to promote innovation, creativity and technological advancement by providing a vibrant intellectual property rights regime, and to cooperate in the field of intellectual property rights to include capacity building activities, human resource development, and public awareness programs."
We are already working together in this effort. The U.S. and the Confederation of Indian Industry are co-sponsoring a first-ever Indo-U.S. Seminar and Workshop from April 26 - May 10 in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata that will examine the tangible benefits from improved IPR enforcement. This summer the Embassy will add an IPR Attache position to engage full-time with the Indian Government on IPR cooperation. We are also discussing with India how to best target U.S. technical assistance to help it build capacity in stronger IPR protection.
We all have progress to make -- and we can make it faster working together. Our two countries have everything to gain - and nothing to lose -- from our common cause to defeat the theft of ideas.
By working together to initiate strong patent, copyright, and trademark protection for all products produced through the "intellectual process", we will not only strengthen the dynamic U.S.-India economic relationship, but ensure as well that India is a global player in innovative technology and enjoys a world-class services sector in the 21st century.
The writer is Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi