LCCI president urges traders to make IPRs must for businesses

LAHORE: President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Kashif Anwar has urged the businessmen to make Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) a vital part of the businesses as these are the most valuable asset for the entrepreneurs in the western world.

While talking to Director General IPO Shazia Adnan, LCCI President said that the scope and importance of IPRs cannot be underestimated particularly with reference to safeguarding the interest and future prospects of business community.

He said there can be no second opinion to this fact that the Intellectual Property Rights are critical for competitive economy in the backdrop of ongoing globalization. The new concept of IPRs is gaining globally acceptance because it is Intellectual Property Rights that enables technology creation and technology transfer by providing the necessary enabling environment.

He urged the private sector of Pakistan not to neglect Intellectual Property Rights at any cost because these set their businesses apart from competitors, provide an important revenue stream, offer customers something new and different and form an essential part of their marketing or branding.

He said that government should 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.

LCCI President Kashif Anwar in his address said that LCCI members are facing delaying tactics in legal process for intellectual property right. IPO should play its role to resolve this issue.

The LCCI President said that IPO-Pakistan holds a key position as Intellectual Property and Trademarks are important for a competitive economy in the scenario of ongoing globalization.

DG IPO Shazia Adnan said that the geographical indication (GI) Act has been passed and certain items like Basmati Rice, Sargodha Kinno, Chaunsa Mango, Kamalia Khaddar, Blue Pottery of Multan and Pink Salt are notifed but still no authorize user has registered with GI which acts as a certification and provides the exporters with an certified logo to be printed on the packing which will help in increasing value added exports. She urged the LCCI to organize awareness session about GI Act and also urged the authorized users to registered with GI Act.

About delaying tactics in legal process, DG IPO Shazia Adnan said that IPO is working on it. She said that IPO has started online payment system, online complaint system and online forms while feedback from the stakeholders would also be received online. For this purpose, assistance is being sought from the Punjab Information Technology Board. She said that SMS service has been started that will ensure direct communication.

She said that IPO is emphasizing that the judges, who are undergoing training, should not be transferred early. They should be appointed for a minimum term of three years. She said that IPO is facing shortage of human resources that’s why focal persons are being deputed.

She said that after Lahore and Multan, tribunals would be set up in Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. She said that awareness sessions are being conducted in the chambers. Focal persons will also be taken from the chambers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023