‘Awareness of IP rights key to economic growth’

Islamabad:Farukh Amil, Chairperson, Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan, has said that success comes from knowing one's rights, a principle that resonates not only in the realm of human rights but also in the context of intellectual property (IP) rights.

Mr Amil was speaking at a focus group discussion on “The strategic importance of intellectual property in national economic security” organised here by Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in collaboration with IPO-Pakistan.

Mr Amil noted that his organisation is dedicated to increasing awareness of various aspects of intellectual property in Pakistan including trademarks, patents and copyrights. The knowledge of intellectual property is not only in the self-interest but also in the national interest which is paramount. However, he pointed out that the lack of awareness often results in the exploitation of unique creations and cultural resources and the vulnerability of the assets key to the nation’s economic security.

He underscored the importance of understanding IP rights through stark examples and disparities in IP awareness and protection. He noted that the estate of Michael Jackson continues to earn substantial revenue posthumously, while on the other hand, Laal Shahbaz Qalandar’s legacy does not due to insufficient IP protection.