Public, private sector partnership for intellectual property rights awareness

IPR ISSUE: A nationwide Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) campaign was launched in Colombo strap-lined 'Get Real', primarily to create awareness amongst the public of the importance of IPR protection and how violations continue to affect consumers.

The joint endeavour, initiated by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in association with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the National Intellectual Property Office, is intended to help the public better understand IPR and the drastic effect of violations on both themselves and the country at large.

Industries most affected by IPR violations, such as the pharmaceutical, garments, motor spare parts, entertainment and software industries, suffer enormous losses to both reputation and profitability.

A shocking number of fake pharmaceuticals are received each year by the National Intellectual Property Office, so that while Sri Lankans are constantly plied with fake drugs, consumers and patients, unable to differentiate, end up paying exorbitant prices on worthless products which can actually cause harm to one's health.

"Intellectual property rights must be safeguarded as the progress and well being of any country rests on the protection of its creative efforts and ensuring an environment to attract investment.

These activities obviously pave the way for new employment and increased government revenue", said Gordon Glick, Executive Director, AMCHAM.

"Most of all it safeguards the interests of consumers, a fundamental right for all citizens. We are happy to have the support of the Maharaja Group, ANCL and Bates Asia in communicating this important issue."

The Intellectual Property Act No 36 of 2003 presently governs the national law and administration relating to Intellectual Property in Sri Lanka, protecting patents, trademarks & service marks, industrial designs, copyrights and so on.

As a part of the overall awareness campaign on IPR, a colloquium for Magistrates on 'Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights' organised by AMCHAM and the National Intellectual Property Office, under the patronage of Judicial Services Commission, recently concluded with a collective accord by the Magistrates to be tougher in enforcing IPR laws in Sri Lanka.