Determination Under Section 304 of the Trade Act of 1974: Practices of the Government of India Regarding Patent Protection for Pharmaceuticals and Agricultural Chemicals

Samenvatting

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined that certain acts, policies and practices of India violate, or otherwise deny benefits to which the United States is entitled under, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). This determination is based on the report of a dispute settlement panel convened under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the request of the United States, and the report of the WTO Appellate Body reviewing the panel report. The Appellate Body report and the panel report (as modified by the Appellate Body report) were adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on January 16, 1998 (``the WTO reports''). On February 13, 1998, India stated its intention to comply with its WTO obligations with respect to this matter and, on April 22, 1998, stated that it would amend its law no later than April 19, 1999. In light of he foregoing, the USTR will not take action under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (''the Trade Act'') at this time and has terminated this investigation. However, the USTR will monitor India's implementation of the WTO reports, and will take action under section 301(