Intellectual Property laws for everyone's benefit

Priyanka KURUGALA

Laws have been enacted to protect intellectual property not only to protect the investors but also in the interest of the public who enjoy these inventions, Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

The Minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the workshop of "Intellectual Properties for Prosperity and Development," at the Industrial Technology Institute recently.

New creations and inventions are useful to the public. If these creations are priced high the people cannot enjoy them. Due to this reason the laws should be created to make it easy to bring these inventions within public reach.

In ancient times the people accepted the ownership of inventions. When presenting legends such as Guththila Kavya, Amawatura and Kavsilumina the authors were appreciated by people.

It happened when presenting things such as the Pythagoras theory or gravitation theories. In that period the laws were not needed to prove ownership of investors. After this period man began to chase money. That is why the people needed such laws to prove their ownership.

Technology and Research Deputy Minister Fizer Mustapha said new inventors could support the country's development. The private sector also should participate to invent new things. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's endeavour is to develop the country, and for this support from science and technology sector is vital.