International Intellectual Property (IP) Index: US Chamber of Commerce | 08 Feb 2019

Acknowledging the improvement in India’s innovation ecosystem, the US Chamber of Commerce has moved India up eight places in its international intellectual property (IP) index by ranking it 36th amongst 50 countries in 2019.

  • The improvement in India’s performance is a result of specific reforms, including its accession to the WIPO Internet Treaties, the agreement to initiate a patent prosecution highway with international patent offices, a dedicated set of IP incentives for small businesses, and administrative reforms to address the patent backlog.
  • However, the report noted that there were still substantial challenges regarding the country's patenting and IP enforcement environment.
  • The seventh edition titled “Inspiring Tomorrow”, analyses the IP climate in 50 world economies, based on 45 indicators critical to an innovation-led economy.

World Intellectual Property Organisation

  • WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation. It is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 192 member states.
  • Its mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international intellectual property (IP) system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.
  • Its mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967.
  • Some agreements under the ambit of WIPO:
    • Marrakesh Treaty for visually impaired patients
    • Patent cooperation treaty in 1970
    • Madrid system
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.