Pakistan could face economic sanctions if the government failed to check violations of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), said Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi, Chairman, Intellectual Property Rights Organisation - Pakistan. Afridi said this while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday in connection with the World IP Day and moot to be held from April 26-28.
Director General (DG) Intellectual Property Rights Organization (IPO) Pakistan Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta, Executive Director Umar Daad Afridi and others were present on the occasion. Afridi said that to discourage the trend of piracy, the government has issued IPO Ordinance 2012 to ensure patent, copy right and trade mark rights in the country.
Hameedullah Jan Afridi said IPO Ordinance would help check the menace of piracy, adding that it was damaging national identity. He said IPO Pakistan has launched a countrywide campaign to create awareness among masses regarding IP rights. He said such programmes in collaboration with corporate sector and enforcement institutions are being initiated to highlight the importance of Intellectual Property Rights. He regretted that masses were not fully aware of their rights.
He said Pakistan is currently placed at the priority watch list under special 301 report of United States Trade Representatives (USTR). He said this report is prepared annually by the office of USTR to identity trade barriers to US companies and products due to intellectual property laws, such as copyright, patents and other countries. Among the other nine countries Pakistan's name has been included in the priority watch list, which could result in the imposition of economic sanctions, anyhow. He said meetings were under way to remove the name of Pakistan from the watch list. He was optimistic that legislation on the patent, trade mark, copy right and other such works would help improve economy and attract foreign investment.
Afridi said that training of judges has been initiated while 15 judges would be trained in Singapore. He said the FIA officials have been trained. He called for need to train parliamentarians for better legislation on IP Rights. He stressed the need to revamp trade mark, patent law, saying he was personally interested in declaring violation of IP rights as a crime. He deplored that due to lack of awareness, there were less complaints filed regarding patent rights.
He observed that basic reason behind non-enforcement of IP right was the hectic schedule of law enforcement institutions, which were busy in maintaining law and order situation. He said IP academy has conducted courses and seminars to create awareness among masses regarding their rights.
He said the European Union was also providing funds to develop database, adding that efforts were on for digitalisation of database to ensure transparent system. He said Intellectual Property Tribunal has been set up, which will bring a positive change. To a question, he said legislation was being carried out on priority basis and would be finalised soon. He called upon the law enforcement institutions to help implement IP rights.