THE Intellectual Property Organiation (IPO) has recently been reorganised and will now work under the aegis of the ministry of commerce, rather than the cabinet division.

IPO comprises trademarks, copyright and design registries and the patent office, and is tasked with formulating an intellectual property rights (IPR) policy and administering the IPR.

Intellectual property forms the cornerstone of modern-day commerce and some of the world’s largest corporations derive their value from the strength of their intellectual capital. A renewed focus on the development of an IPR policy that strikes the all-important balance between accelerating commerce while preserving public interest is the need of the hour.

In recent years the country has lacked a coherent IP policy and failed to commit to several international conventions, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks, which have been developed to facilitate cross-the-border IPR protection.

The recent changes are welcome and show a renewed focus on IPRs. It is hoped that under the ministry of commerce due significance will be given to IPR protection. The recent appointments of younger, dynamic bureaucrats to key leadership positions bode well for the organisation and have been hailed by all stakeholders.

The chairman, director-general and other policymakers in the government deserve an acknowledgment of their attempt to reinvigorate the organisation and it is hoped that they can continue to bring about wholesome improvement which is essential for the businesses in Pakistan and foreign direct investment .

Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan should direct the energies of the commerce ministry towards creating an environment that facilitates innovation and creativity, protects intellectual property assets, maintains purity of register and assists in its growth and commercial realisation.

Karimullah Adeni

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2016