Karachi, December 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):Director General Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan), Ms. Shazia Adnan, along with her team visited Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) on December 2, 2021, to discuss issues related to Intellectual Property (IP) with members. They were welcomed by OICCI CE/Secretary General, M. Abdul Aleem.

Abdul Aleem shared a detailed presentation with the guests which included brief introduction of the chamber, members’ contribution to the economy and a brief research profile of the chamber. He also apprised DG IPO-Pakistan on the findings of upcoming members’ Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Survey 2021, which included the perception of members on priority given to IP protection by various stakeholders, functionality of IP tribunals, effectiveness of IP laws and its implementation, time taken in registering an IP, and average time taken to legally resolve IPR disputes. Further, he also shared following key issues and concerns identified by members:

Need to expedite the processing of registration of IP Rights.

What is the timeline for adding two more IP tribunals requested by IPOP to establish and become functional?

Trademarks (Amendments) Bill, 2021 proposes the creation of a Board of Appeals. Members are concerned with the functionality of the proposed Board, based on the experience with Copyrights Board.

The law of Trade Secrets is difficult to define. There should be a clearer direction and should apply to trade secrets in general rather than just trademarks.

Hearing and Disposal of Opposition cases pending at the TMR. There is a need for induction of additional examiners and capacity building of the staff.

Digitalization/Automation of IP registration and litigation system to act as one window operation along with the exploration of Work-from-home policy, since the new wave of COVID is emerging.

The existing monetary compensation/penalties are too low to curb the illegal practice, these should be revisited. Further, there are no penalties mentioned against unauthorized use of trade secrets.

Regular and intense IPR awareness and training sessions for LEAs and Judges as well as for people from trade, industry, and public are needed.

One window operation – once IPOP is informed, quick actions required from IPOP to involve LEAs. Regular coordination with Industry (IPR owners) and LEAs to proactively resolve IPR issues.

Performance assessment of IPOP by independent research agency familiar with IPR regime internationally.

With around 40% of total lubricant market being counterfeit/fake and dumping is a major issue in the retail market. This is a significant issue both from an angle of retaining / attracting quality investment in this sector and significant leakage in government revenues.

DG IPO-Pakistan, responding to the issues shared that IPO-Pakistan is working on improving automation of the system with Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and for developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based system to improve the screening and examination with National University of Science and Technology (NUST). Moreover, IPO-Pakistan is also working with stakeholders to upgrade existing laws, which will address various concerns highlighted and make them at par with the Madrid Agreement. She added that amendments to the Trademark Bill have been proposed and awaiting cabinet’s approval. She also informed that IPO-Pakistan is also having meetings with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to improve enforcement and to identify areas for extended cooperation. She also emphasized the importance of close coordination between stakeholders and assured that this will be further strengthened to improve the IP environment in Pakistan.

In interactive question answer session members appreciated the DG IPO-Pakistan for her efforts to improve IP environment in Pakistan and suggested that with growing e-commerce, IPO-Pakistan needs to work on some regulatory framework to keep a check on violation of IP laws with the assistance of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Members also highlighted the need for additional human resources at IPO-Pakistan and IP Tribunals to improve its functionality, pending cases and also offered their cooperation specially in improving the law, its enforcement and spreading awareness as per international standards. The cooperation was welcomed by the DG. CE/Secretory General OICCI, M. Abdul Aleem, thanked Ms. Shazia Adnan for taking time out from her schedule and making efforts to resolve the issues faced by the members.

For more information, contact:
Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI)
Chamber of Commerce Building, Talpur Road, P.O. Box 4833,
Karachi – 74000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32410814-5
Fax: +92-21-32427315
Email: info@oicci.org
Website: http://oicci.org/