Introduction

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS IN INDIA

VIVEK VASHISTH

As we all know the importance of intellectual property in our country, it is essential to understand its meaning. Intellectual property is intangible in nature and is created through human efforts, representing human creativity. It includes creations like music, writing, inventions, and more.

In India, intellectual property is classified into various categories, with the most prominent being **Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks**.

Patents protect a specific invention, ensuring that no one can use, sell, or replicate it without permission. For example, during the coronavirus pandemic, **GLENMARK** claimed to have developed an antiviral drug named ‘Favipiravir,’ and they held the patent for this invention. In India, patents are protected under **The Patents Act, 1970**, which aims to safeguard new inventions, whether they involve manufacturing or products.

Copyrights protect an author's work, such as writing, song compositions, or books, granting the author the right to publish and distribute their work. No one else can take or replicate this work without permission. Copyrights in India are governed by The Copyrights Act, 1957, which aims to protect creative works that require authorship.

Trademarks refer to recognizable signs or symbols that identify the products of a particular company. For instance, the three tilted lines and the word "Adidas" below them represent the registered trademark of Adidas. Trademarks in India are governed by The Trademarks Act, 1999. This act ensures that logos or symbols representing a company's status cannot be copied by others.

This overview provides a basic understanding of some types of intellectual property and the laws that protect them in India.