Criminal Enforcement of IP Rights in India – Training for Police Officers

Manish Biala speaks about IPR enforcement in India, discusses challenges facing law and order agencies and the success stories that are providing insight into enforcement operations.

The event was organised by the Department of Industry Policy and Promotion (Ministry of Commerce and Industry), Uttar Pradesh Police, in collaboration with the Cell on IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM).

Addressing nearly 200 attendees, including the Director of the Police Academy, Superintendent of Police Moradabad, and officers of the Indian Police Service, Deputy Superintendents of Police and public prosecutors under training, Manish spoke about the practical and procedural aspects of criminal enforcement of intellectual property rights, including the challenges thrown by section 115 of the Trade Marks Act and section 64 of the Copyright Act.

Dialogue between rights holders and law and order agencies is essential in efforts to curb piracy and counterfeiting. By various reports, the Indian government is estimated to have lost approximately Rs. 39,000 crores in tax collection due to the counterfeit trade.