ISLAMABAD - President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf promulgated on August 10, 2005, the "Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan Ordinance 2005," reported by the Pakistan Tribune.
The ordinance, which entered into force on August 7, stipulates establishing an organization to be known as "Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan" to implement this ordinance.
The organization shall administer and coordinate all government systems in charge of protecting and strengthening intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the laws and regulations of Pakistan. The organization shall promote awareness about IP issues in the public and private sectors, advise the government of Pakistan on policy relating to IPRs, and propose legislation for the protection of IPRs in Pakistan.
The organization will also be the authority in charge of accrediting or certifying any person as an intellectual property agent in Pakistan.
In addition, the organization shall liaise and interact with counterpart IP-related organizations in other countries for capacity building and exchange of information.
The ordinance also stipulates that the Trademarks Registry, Copyright Office, and Patent Office in Pakistan shall be integrated into one office which will become part of the organization.