Govt urged to bring effective law to protect IPR

KATHMANDU, NOV 10: 

Private sector urged the government to bring effective and strong laws to protect registered Intellectual Properties (IP).

Speaking during a programme organised by Department of Industry here today, senior vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar highlighted basic problems in the Intellectual Properties Rights (IPR).

According to him, though the government has organised few workshops regarding the intellectual property but the public awareness is very poor. “There is a lack of expertise,” he said, adding that legal provision is also inadequate, apart from weak organisational structure. He also suggested the government to raise public awareness to encourage commercially viable IP. “We need comprehensive legal framework like IP policy and Integrated IPR Act. Legislation should address emerging issues as well as comply international agreement such as WTO Agreement and WIPO,” Rajkarnikar said.

“Our country itself doesn’t have a separate IP policy however the Industrial Policy has mentioned the protection of Intellectual Property,” said secretary at Ministry of Industry Shankar Koirala. “We have also mentioned the need of autonomous IP office in the Industrial Policy,” he said.

Meanwhile, general secretary of Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries Shyam Prasad Giri suggested involving the private sector for the enhancement of IP sector. “There must be public private partnership in this sector and the government should also involve the private sector for its enhancement,” said Giri.

According to the private sector, IP owners have provided exclusive property right even at the age of Free Market Economy in the world. Combating IP infringement is beneficial for Investment promotion, economic development, maintaining regular market order and protecting fair competition.

The law and practice cannot ensure IP right for IP owner however importance of intellectual property is increasing. There are few initiations like Nepal Pashmina Industries Association that is exporting pashmina under a collective brand Chyangra Pashmina, Himalayan Tea and Lokta Handmade Paper. “We have old version of Trade Mark Act, Industrial Design, Patent Right Act, which do not comply with international agreements and it is insufficient for protection of the IP owner,” said Rajkarnikar.

Department of Industry is organising a two-day WIPO Round Table on Integrated Management of Intellectual Property and Consultations to discuss on the Intellectual Property Rights.

Source: THT