ISDS Case Map
intellectual property
India has sorted out most of its differences with the European Union on production of low-cost generic medicines, ahead of a crucial meeting on a proposed free-trade pact next month, a government official told ET. Civil society groups, however, warn that India should be on its guard to ensure that the intellectual property rights (IPR) regime is not changed to allow extension of patents.
Positive Living HIV (PLHIV) organisations in Malaysia yesterday expressed concern over the potential negative impact on HIV medication of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) which the government is currently negotiating with the United States and the European Commission (EC).
People in Asia living with HIV and who depend on affordable generic AIDS medicines to stay alive have impressed upon the Indian government to stand strong against European Union demands on the sensitive Intellectual Property (IP) chapter in ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Thousands of people with HIV and cancer marched through the streets of India's capital Wednesday to protest a planned trade deal with the European Union that they claim would restrict access to affordable medicines.
Ukrainian winemakers will be forced to stop labelling their sparkling white wines as "Champagne" as part of a free trade agreement with the European Union due to be signed later this year.
On intellectual property protection, the FTA contains the extension of patent rights for pharmaceuticals and data exclusivity, both provisions ardently fought over in the ongoing EU-India FTA negotiations.
As the Philips Morris case shows, any corporation can potentially sue the
Indian government in a bid to block sovereign actions for protecting the
wellbeing of its people.
