The World Intellectual Property Organisation has granted global recognition to the Microbial Type Culture Collection Centre at the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh as an International Depository Authority for the deposition of microorganisms. The recognition has been granted under the Budapest Treaty to which India submitted the instrument of accession in September last.

This is an important step taken by India after its accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty in 1998 and signing of the WTO agreement in 1994. These together will provide safeguards to patents under the intellectual property right regulations.

Grant of patent requires disclosure of the invention and the inventions linked with the microorganisms along with full description of the organism and its characteristics, properties and traits. For this, safe deposit in an international depository authority approved by the WIPO becomes essential. The safe deposit will provide scientists not only protection to their patents, but also reduction in patenting costs and lessening of bio-safety risks during transfer. Neighboring countries can also take advantage of the Depository Authority in India.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) who took the initiatives to secure WIPO recognition will continue to play a major role in the preservation of microorganisms of the country, highly relevant in the management of industry and environment. The microorganisms deposited in the Authority will be maintained for at least 30 years under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty.