USTR Places India and 7 Other Nations on Priority Watch List for IPR Enforcement and Violations.
International
In May 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), headquartered in Washington DC, United States of America (USA), released the 2025 Special 301 Report.
- The report has once again placed India on the 'Priority Watch List' for failing to provide adequate protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
- Along with India, seven other countries—Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela—were also listed under the 'Priority Watch List' for 2025.
Main Point :- (i) The report emphasized that India continues to be one of the most challenging major economies in terms of IPR protection and enforcement.
(ii) The report flagged ongoing patent-related issues in India, particularly concerning revocations and the inconsistent application of patentability criteria under the Indian Patents Act, 1970, which the USTR warns could negatively impact multiple sectors.
(iii) In addition to the 'Priority Watch List', the USTR also placed 18 countries on the 'Watch List'. These include: Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Vietnam. These nations are noted for IPR challenges that require continued bilateral engagement.
About Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
USTR : Jamieson Lee Greer
Headquarters : Washington DC, USA
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