What an Infrastructure of Innovation Depends On: A Responsive Legal System

Gist India's transition to a TRIPS-compliant patent regime spurred a massive increase in intellectual property generation, which in turn triggered a surge in complex commercial disputes. To prevent litigation bottlenecks from stifling investment, India adopted a dual approach: promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR and enacting the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 to create specialized benches. The success of the Delhi High Court's dedicated IP Division demonstrates how a highly responsive, digitally equipped legal system is a non-negotiable prerequisite for nurturing an innovation ecosystem and improving India's global ease of doing business rankings. Background The Patents Act, 1970 historically governed intellectual property in India. To comply with the World Trade Organisation WTO and its Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights TRIPS agreement, India undertook a series of amendments between 1999 and 2005 . The 2005 amendment was a watershed moment, reintroducing product patents for chemical, biochemical, and agricultural substances, fundamentally altering the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. While aligning with global standards, TRIPS allowed member nations to retain sovereign flexibilities. India utilized these to balance IP monopolies with public interest and health concerns,…