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India on US priority watch list regarding global piracy
WASHINGTON: It is not just Indian music companies that are seeing their profits being eroded by the pirate. The US recently issued its annual list of countries with the worst record of protecting copyright material and other intellectual property.
India has been placed on the Priority Watch List in a special 301 report along with Argentina, the Bahamas, Brazil, Lebanon, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, and Taiwan. The Priority Watch List entails a greater level of scrutiny than the Watch List for possible future sanctions unless the alleged inadequacy of protection is remedied .
The US Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) made the following unflattering comments about us, ” India’s copyright law, which is generally consistent with international standards, was weakened by amendments enacted in 2000 that undermine protection for computer programmes. Enforcement against piracy remains a growing concern for US copyright industries, especially given that pirated imports are entering the market from Southeast Asia and that there is growing Internet piracy. We will continue to consult with the Indian Government to resolve outstanding TRIPS compliance concerns, but if these consultations do not prove constructive, we will consider all other options available, including WTO dispute settlement, to resolve these concerns.”
The list has once again put Ukraine as the number one menace. A Reuters report indicates that the USTR will continue enforcing the $75 million in US sanctions on Ukraine would on account of the country’s failure to adopt and enforce adequate protections against the illegal copying of optical media products such as music CDs, movie DVDs and computer software. The sanctions were first imposed last year.
Ukraine is the only country on the Priority Foreign Country list. In addition the dual problems of rampant piracy coupled with lack of enforcement exist in Russia, Taiwan, Poland, Brazil. China and Paraguay remain subject to special monitoring under US trade laws.
The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), a consortium of publishing, film, software and recording industry groups, estimates that global piracy costs US copyright industries more than $22 billion annually. The 50 countries listed in the USTR annual report accounted for $9.8 billion of those annual losses, the group said.
On the positive side the report notes that implementation of an World Trade Organisation agreement on intellectual property rights had helped to improved protection worldwide. For instance Colombia and Hungary are now protecting confidential medical test data in line with their WTO obligations.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
