Published: 6/1/16
Publication: Lexology
The Ministry of Agriculture has recently issued a draft notification titled “Draft Licensing Guidelines and Formats for GM Technology Agreements” to effectively create a parallel system of compulsory license for genetically modified cotton technology. The intent behind the draft notification is to impose FRAND licensing obligations, i.e. obligations to grant licenses under Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory terms, on genetically modified cotton technology. While originally issued as a final and binding notification, within 2 days from its publication, it was converted into a draft that was open for comments. The draft is available from the website of the Ministry of Agriculture (http://agricoop.nic.in/) and is open for comments for 90 days.