COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-RIGHTS PRESENT STATUS IN INDIA AND FUTURE-DIRECTION

An earlier publication ''IPR Manual : IPR Protection in Electronics an d Information Technology in India : General Information for obtaining Patents and Copyrights had covered the existing National Legislation A cts (including Copyright Act, 1957 as modified upto 9th June, 1994 to cover software), present IPR system in India and relevant clauses in T RIPs besides concentrating on specific information required for obtain ing patents and copyrights in the area of Electronics and Information Technology in India. We now present on indepth analysis of techno-lega l issues concerning IPR specifically focussintg on computer software - as this area represents the growing presence of Indian capability in the world and needs further consolidation to become a global player. A n analysis of strength, weakness and structure of Indian software indu stry has been carried out from the viewpoints of IPR/Copyrights relate d legal protection issues on creation and maintenance of intellectual property in the form of computer programmes. Details of WIPO Copyright Treaty (December 1996) are also analysed from the perspectives of Ind ian software industry. The report concludes by giving certain suggesti ons/recommendations from practical point of view as stemming-out of th e experience of IPR Cell in Department of Electronics.