FBR to unveil rules to check counterfeits’ trade

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue is unveiling new intellectual property rights rules in order to curb trade of counterfeit products in the country, an official said on Saturday.  

The official said the FBR will notify the ‘Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (Import and Export Goods) Enforcement Rules’ in June 2016.

“The rules will apply to goods meant for import or export to and from Pakistan, which infringe the intellectual property rights registered or protected in Pakistan relating to trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs and lay-out designs of integrated circuits,” a document said. 

The new rules said the Directorate General of IPR will be the custodian of rights, and be authorised to suspend clearance of any import or export consignment on the basis of complaint lodged by a rights-holder regarding infringement of rights.

If goods, being imported or exported, are found infringing IPR rights, they will be seized and the accused will face adjudication proceedings.

“As it is determined that the goods detained are counterfeit, pirated or infringing, the same would be destroyed under official supervision,” the document said. “The re-exportation of the counterfeit or pirated goods in any state whether altered or unaltered will not be allowed.”

The official said implementation of these rules will discourage trade related IPR violations, as these violations work against citizens by exposing them to the danger of substandard products as well as harming the country as foreign companies turn away because of weak IPR enforcement.

PPI adds: The Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) arranged a workshop on IPR in Islamabad to make women entrepreneurs aware of the importance of trade marking in their businesses

“Awareness regarding IPR is very important for the growth of businesses but unfortunately this issue is not well taken by a lot of business people,” said Meesaq Arif, Director Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPOP).

Arif said registration and protection of IPR is very important through awareness activities to effectively address issues of piracy and counterfeiting for development of genuine businesses. 

“We are doing our level best to improve service delivery for IP rights registration, while we have a close coordination with IPR enforcement agencies, including FIA (Federal Investigation Agency), Police, Pakistan Customs and PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) to effectively address the issues of piracy and counterfeiting in the country,” he added. 

Director IPOP said the government continues to streamline its governance systems and strengthening IPR regime, which will help the development of genuine business, attract foreign direct investment and open avenues for local businesses for growth in the international markets.

Samina Fazil, founder president of IWCCI said the registration of IP rights takes long time, which should be reduced to a minimum level for ease of IP right holders. 

Fazil said a lot of young people are starting their businesses. “Guiding them is a responsibility of IWCCI,” she said. “We are hopeful that such workshops will help the entrepreneurs to grow.” 

Fazil Naima Ansari, ex-vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry said IPR violations are inflicting losses to the tune of billions as it has become a threat to legitimate businesses.