The United States has placed India on its 2026 Priority Watch List for intellectual property rights, citing ongoing concerns over enforcement gaps, patent delays, and weak protection mechanisms. The designation was made in the latest Special 301 Report released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday, which assesses how major trading partners safeguard intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
According to the report, India continues to be among the most challenging major economies in terms of IP protection and enforcement. It highlighted persistent issues such as procedural delays in patent approvals, strict examination standards leading to rejections, and concerns over possible revocations. The US also pointed to continued piracy and counterfeiting, along with limited coordination between enforcement agencies.
The report further noted high import duties on IP-related products, as well as shortcomings in protecting trade secrets and regulatory data. Legal delays in resolving trademark and copyright disputes were also flagged as a concern, impacting rights holders and businesses operating in India.
Despite these issues, the US acknowledged some progress made by India in strengthening its IP framework, including improvements in administrative capacity and awareness initiatives. However, it stressed that enforcement remains inconsistent and requires further reforms.
Along with India, countries such as China, Russia, Indonesia, Chile, and Venezuela were also included in the Priority Watch List this year. The report is expected to influence ongoing trade and diplomatic discussions between Washington and its partners regarding innovation, market access, and intellectual property standards.