The Patent Bill gives oral traditions document status
The Union government has introduced a clause in the amended Patents Bill that gives oral traditions the status of documented knowledge. The Bill does not allow any foreign company to seek a patent on India's traditional practices in the area of medicine or any knowledge-based activity. This move has been prompted by patent laws enacted by various countries across the world, which insist on proper documentation to challenge any new patent. In India, documentation is difficult as many practices do not have theoretical records.
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