WORLD TRADE WT/DS50/7
9December 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5421)
INDIA -PATENT PROTECTION FOR PHARMACEUTICAL
AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Communication from theAppellate Body
Thefollowing communication, dated 9December 1997, fromtheChairman oftheAppellate
Body addressed totheChairman oftheDispute Settlement Body, iscirculated inaccordance with
Article 17.5oftheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing theSettlement ofDisputes.
_________________
Iamwriting toyoupursuant toArticle 17.5oftheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures
Governing theSettlement ofDisputes ,which stipulates that,asageneral rule,theAppellate Body will
circulate itsreport nolaterthan60daysaftertheappellant hasformally notified itsdecision toappeal.
Article 17.5states, furthermore, thatwhen theAppellate Body considers thatitcannot provide itsreport
within 60days, itshallinform theDSBinwriting ofthereasons forthedelay together withanestimate
oftheperiod within which itwillsubmit itsreport.
Indianotified theDispute Settlement Body ofitsdecision toappeal certain issues oflawcovered
inthePanel Report andlegal interpretations developed bythePanel on15October 1997, withthe
result thatthe60-day period willexpire onMonday, 15December 1997. Inlightofthefactthatextra
time isrequired fortranslation, theAppellate Body willnotbeabletocirculate itsreport by
15December 1997. Weestimate thattheAppellate Body Report inthisappeal willbecirculated to
WTO Members byTuesday, 23December 1997.