IPO-Pakistan Chairman Advocates for Intellectual Property Rights to Boost Economic Growth
During the meeting, the chairperson informed the US delegation about the establishment of two new IP tribunals in Quetta and Rawalpindi, with approval granted for two more. This development is a part of IPO-Pakistan's efforts to streamline and improve the IP infrastructure in the country.
Karobar
In a recent meeting at the Intellectual Property Organization Of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) Headquarters, the chairperson stressed the pivotal role of Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights in fostering economic growth for the country. The visit, led by US Intellectual Property Counselor for South Asia, John Cabecca, aimed to discuss the significance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in the economic development of Pakistan.
Farukh Amil, the chairperson of IPO-Pakistan, highlighted the organization's commitment to enhancing the Intellectual Property Rights regime in the country. He shared various initiatives undertaken to strengthen IPRs and emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and expertise of the United States in this domain.
Farukh Amil expressed a desire to benefit from the US experience to raise awareness about Intellectual Property in Pakistan. He suggested high-profile engagements, such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to chart a course of action and create a conducive environment for stronger commercial ties, ultimately boosting investor confidence.
Shazia Adnan, a representative of IPO-Pakistan, disclosed that the organization's accession to the Marrakesh Treaty was in its final stages, soon to be signed by the President. She also mentioned the Copyright Bill, 2023, and its draft amendments, which would soon be presented to the Parliament for approval.
Addressing capacity building concerns, Shazia Adnan sought assistance in training judiciary, enforcement agencies, and copyright staff post-copyright amendment/treaties accession. She stressed the need for a standardized examination manual for trademark examination to ensure consistency in the assessment criteria.
In response, John Cabecca, the US IP Counselor for South Asia, shared ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of IP-related experts in South Asia. He expressed satisfaction with the direction adopted by IPO-Pakistan, assuring support for capacity building training and technical assistance when needed.
Cabecca emphasized the importance of effective IP policies and pledged to advocate for them. He also highlighted the commitment of US companies to consider Pakistan as a safe place for investment, underlining the significance of a robust IP enforcement system.
