KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Intellectual Property Rights (IP) Ordinance 2012 on the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday.
The new ordinance was signed as the previous one expired in March and the Intellectual Property Rights Bill is still pending approval in the Parliament.
April 26 is observed throughout the world as the International IP Day to highlight how the IP system contributes to the flourishing of businesses and technological innovations.
President Zardari said that the intellectual property rights involve rights to protect trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs, plant breeders’ rights, traditional knowledge and folklore.
Pakistan, being the signatory of World Trade Organisation and Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), is under obligation to build a strong IP system in the country by protecting IP rights from infringement and piracy.
The president said that the intellectual property rights, promoting creativity and innovation, are recognised throughout the world as the basis of a nation's economy and promotes the culture of research and development.
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And also, our artists are not dying hungry and without medical care due to PPP government, it is because we copy everything and royalty doesn't reach them! . If we had proper Intellectual property rights 30 years ago, Mehdi Hassan would have been richer than Indian business Tycoons as he has been king of ghazals in South Asia!
It is a good decision! . Though it will be difficult to buy the originals in the beginning, western companies do consider purchasing powers and have reduced prices in many third world countries. . I know we need so much stuff but I can never encourage copyright violation. Theft is always wrong. We should earn the right to use it. Only then we will value it! . Ever wondered why no big publishers come to Pakistan? Why Microsoft/Google ignore Pakistan? Ever wondered why no big writers travel to Pakistan for book signing? Ever wondered why no Hollywood celebrity comes here (even in peace times?). Ever wondered why Michael Jackson and Maddona never even thought of having a concert here??? ANSWER is that they don't get any royalty from this country. They don't even know if we are their fans. No one visits a someone who is used to freebees (muft khore)!!
How did he get paid to sign this monstrosity?
China, India and Brazil are fighting on TRIPS with WTO while we are signing everything away.