The government has established an Intellectual Property Rights Organisation under the Intellectual Property Rights Ordinance. This would be a regulatory body under the Cabinet Division and shall be responsible for enforcing international standards for intellectual property rights in Pakistan, says a press release issued here on Friday. The Prime Minister has appointed Munawar Hameed and Yasin Tahir as the first Chairman and Director General respectively of the Policy Board of the Intellectual Property Rights Organisation.
The Prime Minister has also approved the composition of the Board, which shall comprise of official and non-official members representing trade and industry, legal fraternity and stakeholders. The Board, which is a public-private partnership, has been established under the Ordinance by bringing together on platform Patent office, Trade Registry and Copyrights.
The Chairman and the Director General of the Policy Board met the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister House on Friday.
During the meeting Shaukat Aziz emphasised the significance of this body and its role in the future regimes of trade and industry.
The Prime Minster said that the establishment of this Board is a very important step that will protect the interests of business and industry in Pakistan.
Some of the areas of critical importance where the organisation would play a pivotal role include pharmaceuticals, education, copyrights, publishing, soft-wares, entertainment industry, industrial research and technology.