26 September 2024

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. In India, the registration of Geographical Indication (GI) is valid for a period of 20 years.
2. In India, Geographical Indication (GI) registration is administered by the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

About GI tag:

• A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
• Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

• Once the GI protection is granted, no other producer can misuse the name to market similar products. It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product.

Who is a registered proprietor of a geographical indication?

• Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can be a registered proprietor.
• Their name should be entered in the Register of Geographical Indication as registered proprietor for the Geographical Indication applied for.

How long the registration of Geographical Indication is valid?

• The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years.
• It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
• In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003. The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.

Q2. With reference to Intellectual Property Rights policy 2016, consider the following statements:

1. It is entirely in compliant with the WTO’s agreement on TRIPS
2. It aims to remove Compulsory Licensing clauses from India’s Patents Act.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Intellectual Property Rights Policy which is in compliance with WTO’s (World Trade Organisation) agreement on TRIPS (Trade Related aspects of IPRs), aims to sustain entrepreneurship.
• As per the WTO norms, a CL can be invoked by a government allowing a company to produce a patented product without the consent of the patent owner in public interest. Under the Indian Patents Act, a CL can be issued for a drug if the medicine is deemed unaffordable, among other conditions, and the government grants permission to qualified generic drug makers to manufacture it.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT):

1. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions.
2. By filing one international patent application under the PCT, applicants can simultaneously seek protection for an invention in a large number of countries.
3. PCT is administered by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions, helps patent offices with their patent granting decisions, and facilitates public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions.
• By filing one international patent application under the PCT, applicants can simultaneously seek protection for an invention in a large number of countries.
• PCT is administered by WIPO.

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) is founded on the principle of “product patents”.
2. Product patents allow inventors of new drugs to have exclusive rights to produce and sell them for some years.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) regime was promoted by the World Trade Organization in 1995 for uniform global IPR rules. TRIPS is founded on the principle of “product patents”.
• Product patents allow inventors of new drugs to have exclusive rights to produce and sell them for some years.

Q5. What is vermicomposting?

(a) A method of composting using only kitchen scraps and no worms.

(b) A process of decomposing organic matter using red worms and other microorganisms.

(c) An industrial method of waste disposal involving high-temperature incineration.

(d) A technique to convert plastic waste into biodegradable materials.

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Vermicomposting is a composting process that uses earthworms, typically red worms, and microorganisms to break down organic matter such as kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost.