The Lok Sabha has passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 to promote ease of living and ease of doing business in the country by decriminalizing minor offences and rationalizing monetary penalties on the basis of the gravity of the offence. The Bill covers 42 Central Acts, including the Trade Marks Act, 1999, the Patents Act, 1970, the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999. The Parliament has indicated that since the fear of imprisonment often acts as a barrier to global investment, the proposed amendments would boost investor confidence.
The full Bill can be accessed here.
Indian government explores decriminalizing minor IP offences and rationalizing monetary penalties