LAHORE, May 22: Intellectual property registries automation programme is being implemented with the assistance of European Union and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in order to improve management and service delivery system.

IP centres would be established in the chamber of commerce and SME offices to facilitate and provide necessary information about IP registration, said Intellectual Property Organization-Pakistan Director-General Tarik Feroze at a seminar on “Understanding IP rights and their protection for trade associations” held at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.

The government has been committed to protect and vigorously enforce Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) besides providing a congenial and protected environment to improve the image of Pakistan as a responsible and intellectual property compliant nation.

Mr Feroze said his organisation was contacting representatives of chambers of commerce and industry and various initiatives were also under consideration to explore new avenues of mutual cooperation.

The IPO director-general said massive public awareness had been undertaken for sensitising the consumers to 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 i.e. Police, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Customs.

“We are in active collaboration with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organisations in the related field and special emphasis has been laid on capacity building of IPO officials and stakeholders,” he said while appreciating the valuable contributions of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPPCI) and other chambers for their support in organising useful and informative awareness programme on IP rights.

Earlier, LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar in his welcome address highlighted the role of Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan in expansion of IP rights orientation activities in collaboration with stakeholders and assured that the Lahore chamber would extend all possible assistance to involve every segment of society in IP awareness campaign.