Industrial Property Division (IPD) under the Department of Industry (DoI) has been looking after the issues so far.[break]
The ministry had formed a committee led by Joint Secretary Begendra Raj Sharma Poudel to conduct the ONM Survey about four months ago. The committee had representations from MoI, Department of Industry, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS), Ministry of General Administration (MoGA) and Office of Copyright Registration (OCR).
“We are now in a position to give the government a concrete framework of the separate body,” Poudel said, adding that the committee will hold discussions with stakeholders before finalizing the report.
Poudel said issues like work division of the proposed office, human resources and mechanisms to establish links with IP bodies of other countries will be finalized after holding discussions with stakeholders.
Industrial Enterprises Act 2010 envisages formation of a separate body to oversee intellectual property issues.
The new body will have wider scope to exercise its authority. "After the formation of the new body, we will also register intellectual property claims from other fields,” said Yam Kumari Khatiwada, spokesperson of MoI.
She further added that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has also been asking the government to form a separate body to oversee activities related to intellectual property. “The government is preparing to endorse Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The treaty can be endorsed only after establishing a separate body to look after intellectual property issue,” she added.
Once the treaty is endorsed, local brands can get access into the international market by registering with entities looking after intellectual property of respective countries.
Poudel said WIPO has expressed commitment to strengthen the proposed entity by providing necessary trainings and helping establish linkages with IP bodies of other nations.
Officials said the organization structure of the proposed body is similar to intellectual property offices of Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh and India, among others.
Related story
Protect intellectual property rights to attract FDI
