International trademark registration must: experts

Speakers at seminar stress the need for protecting a business’ identity.

LAHORE: In a seminar on “Identification of Geographical Indications of Punjab: Madrid System of Registration of Trademarks”, experts have concluded that the ‘Madrid System’ offers incentives for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to protect trademarks and enhance global competitiveness and presence, while Geographical Indications (GIs) are a must for the development of national economies. The event, held on Monday, was jointly organised by the Government of Punjab, the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

DG IPO Sajjad Bhutta, while addressing participants, said that registering a trademark in foreign markets gives a company the exclusive right to commercialise that product in those markets. It also provides the opportunity to licence the trademark to others, or it may form the basis for a company’s franchising or merchandising strategy,
he said.

Bhutta praised the Madrid System, saying that it simplifies safeguarding a trademark and facilitates the subsequent management of that protection. As such, this makes the possibility of protecting trademarks a reality for SMEs, which otherwise would have never been able to afford protecting their marks internationally.

Other speakers talked about GIs, and said that they help a country win identification in global markets. They said that better knowledge and a clearer understanding of these concepts in Pakistan could help local businessmen grow by helping them secure a unique place for themselves in the international market.

They said exporters often realise the importance of registering their trademarks belatedly; when their goods are counterfeited, or when they face legal action due to copyright infringement.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2012.