IPR protects Indian agriculture
My article titled "IPR protects Indian agriculture" was published in the newsletter of the Liberty Institute in May 1999. A lot has been said over the consequences of IPR in agriculture, and in areas where knowledge is said to have been traditionally handed down the generations. However, a proper IPR regime can help protect not only the foreign inventors, but also the domestic players. Following is a summary of the present status of IPR in some of the most prominent instances. TURMERIC In 1993, two American scientists of Indian origin filed a patent for use of turmeric to heal wounds. Initially the specification contained information on the prior knowledge of the various uses of turmeric and it also acknowledged that the pharmaco-kinetics involving the safety toxicity dosage and biological properties of turmeric are well known. It also said the main object of the invention is the use of turmeric powder at the site of injury by topical application and/or oral intake. The othe...