India to share traditional knowledge with US; says open to free-trade pact

India today signed two inter-governmental agreements with the United States - one on sharing traditional knowledge and protection of intellectual property and the other on mutual investment promotion.

During prime minister Manmohan Singh's first state visit to the US after Barack Obama was sworn in as president, India today signed an agreement giving the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) of the India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The agreement will enable the USPTO to search the extensive database of India's traditional knowledge compiled under TKDL.

CSIR would also provide training to the USPTO examiners and staff to help them use TKDL tools for search and examination.

India's Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks and the US Patent and Trademark Office of the US Department of Commerce also signed a memorandum of understanding.

As per the MoU both countries would facilitate comprehensive bilateral cooperation on a range of IPR issues focusing on capacity building, human resource development and raising public awareness of the importance of IPR.