'Government committed to enforce IPRs'

The Director General IPO-Pakistan Tarik Feroze has said the government is committed to protect and vigorously enforce Intellectual Property Rights (IPR's) besides providing a congenial and protected environment to improve the image of Pakistan as a responsible and Intellectual Property compliant nation.
The Director General was speaking at a seminar on "Understanding IP Rights and Their Protection" for Trade Association" held on Wednesday at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He appreciated the role of business community for economic wellbeing and industrial development of Pakistan and said that IPO-Pakistan is keen to promote mutual understating for addressing IP related issues being faced by businessmen and other right holders. He informed that representatives of Chamber of Commerce and Industry were being contacted by IPO and various initiatives were also under consideration to explore new avenues of mutual co-operation.
Tarik Feroze said that IP Centers would be established in Chamber of Commerce and SME offices to facilitate and provide necessary information about IP Registration. He informed that with the assistance of European Union and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), IP registries automation programme was being implemented to improve management and service delivery system.
The Director General IPO described the performance and achievements of IPO-Pakistan during its short span of existence and said that massive public awareness has been undertaken for sensitising the consumers about their legitimate rights to opt for genuine and branded products and services. The IPO has made efforts to curb counterfeiting and piracy with the support of enforcement agencies ie Police, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Customs.
Tarik Feroze said that we are in active collaboration with World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO); World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in the related field and special emphasis has been laid on capacity building of IPO officials and stakeholders. He appreciated the valuable contributions of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPPCI) and Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their support in organising useful and informative awareness programme on IP Rights.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar highlighted the role of Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan in expansion of IP Rights orientation activities in collaboration with stakeholders and assured that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce would extend all possible assistance to involve every segments of society in IP awareness campaign.
He said that the scope and importance of IPR cannot be underestimated particularly with reference to safeguarding the interest and future prospects of business community. He said that there could be no second opinion to this fact that the Intellectual Property (IP) is critical for competitive economy in the backdrop of ongoing globalisation. The new concept of IP based nation is gaining ground because it is Intellectual Property which enables technology creation and technology transfer by providing the necessary enabling environment.
During the seminar, Barrister Asjad Saeed, Co-Convener Standing Committee on IP Rights gave presentation on balancing goals in the enforcement of IPR. Hassan Irfan Khan delivered on Importance of Trademarks/Copyrights Registration in Business, Farooq Hyder Shaikh Marketing Head of Service Sales Corporation gave presentation on Brand Development and Role of IPRs.
Saad Nasrullah advocate also gave presentation on Patents/ Industrial Design and Registration, Dr Shalla Javaid Akram Founder President Central North Punjab Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNPWCCI) highlighted the Issues of Patent Infringement in Pharma Sector while. Farooq Amjad Meer deliberated on International Registration of Trademarks.