Nilambur teak gets GI tag
- Nilambur teak is internationally known for its superior quality and elegant appearance.
- Nilambur in kerala is also known as "Mecca of Teak". Its teak will soon be added to the list of Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- Nilambur also has a Teak Museum.
- The teak plantation in Nilambur, the world's first teak plantation was done around the year 1842 -1844.
- Other kerala products in GI tag are Pokkali rice, Vazhakulam Pineapple, Wayanadan rice varieties (Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala), Tirur Betel vine, Central Travancore Jaggery and Chengalikodan Nendran - a banana variety.
India rejects report of U.S. faith panel
- India rejected criticism from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report on challenges faced by religious minorities.
- In its report titled “Constitutional and Legal Challenges Faced by Religious Minorities in India”, it says that religious minorities in the country continued to face vigilantism and constitutional challenges.
- USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.
- USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties.
Intellectual property index
- The index is published by US Chamber of Commerce.
- The index evaluates the intellectual property (IP) environment and grades countries on patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, enforcement, and international treaties.
- This year the index evaluates 45 countries and India with a score of 8.75 out of 35 occupies 43rd place followed by Pakistan (44th) and Venezuela (45th).
- The US, UK , Germany, Japan and Sweden were ranked the top five countries in the IP Index.
Key concerns about India's IP environment (2017)
- National Intellectual Property Rights policy does not address fundamental weaknesses in the country's IP framework
- Limited framework for protection of life sciences IP
- Patentability requirements outside international standards
- Challenges with the scope of patentability for computer-implemented inventions
- Delhi high court ruling in the case involving University of Delhi regarding photocopying of copyrighted content
