[Ip-health] India Patents bill

[James Love]

Thanks to JS for this... jamie


Patents Bill passed Our Bureau NEW DELHI, May 9 THE Rajya Sabha on Thursday
passed the Patents Bill which will enable India to fall in line with the
World Trade Organisation-administered Trade Related Intellectual Property
Rights Regime. The legislation was passed without the Upper House yielding
any concessions on public health. In his reply to the five-hour long debate
on the Patents Second Amendment Bill 1999, the Commerce and Industries
Minister, Mr Murasoli Maran, said that the Government would have enough
powers to resist the influence of multinational companies and check the rise
in prices of essential drugs. The Government has retained the right to
invoke provisions of national emergency and compulsory licensing in the
amendment bill. Mr Maran said that the passing of the Bill was a WTO
obligation honoured by the country without harming the national interests.


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