IPO floats various proposals: IPR infringement may be made a criminal offence

The Intellectuals Property Organisation (IPO) would propose the federal government to make infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR) a criminal offence, set up an independent IPO's own enforcement agency and legally make it binding on the Federal Investigation Agency, police and customs to take enforcement actions against violators of the IPRs.
Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Chairman Intellectual Property Organisation told a select group of reporters at the IPO office here on Monday the international image of Pakistan could only be improved through effective enforcement of the IPR laws, which will encourage foreign investors.
Under the ambitious plan drafted by the IPO, the organisation will take a number of steps to ensure proper legal and physical infrastructure availability for enforcement and protection of Intellectual Property Right in the country. The biggest challenge for the IPO is to create awareness among the local business and trade about the advantages of registration of their trade marks, brand names and logos etc.
Under the proposed legislation to check IPR violations, the IPO would propose increase in maximum penalty up to Rs 5 million with 10-year imprisonment upon infringement of IP rights especially infringement of food and medicine trademarks. Upgraded daft of the IPO Ordinance have been completed and is undergoing vetting from the Ministry of Law and Justice and is expected to be formally approved by the Federal Cabinet in it's next meeting.
Explaining the salient features of the upgraded IPO Ordinance, Chairman informed that this would ensure establishment of dedicated IPR Tribunals in all four provinces, high Powered Policy Board with Secretary Interior, Chairman PTA, PEMRA, FBR and other heads of key enforcement agencies or departments, making law enforcement agencies legally bound to obey the orders of IPO and play due role for enforcement of IPRs in the country.