India returns on U.S. IPR watchlist

US Places India on ‘Priority Watch List’ for Intellectual Property Rights

• The US Trade Representative’s 2025 Special 301 report identifies India as one of the world’s most challenging economies in protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights.

• Despite efforts to strengthen its IP regime, there is a lack of progress on long-standing IP concerns.

• Patent issues remain a significant concern, with stakeholders expressing concerns over vague interpretation of the Indian Patents Act.

• The report also places 25 countries, including Pakistan and Turkey, on the list.

• High customs duties on IP-intensive products, unauthorised file sharing, signal theft, and circumvention of technological protection measures persist.

• Companies face uncertainty due to insufficient legal means to protect trade secrets in India.