The US urges Pakistan to improve its IP enforcement and take significant steps to address counterfeiting and piracy in various sectors. Pakistan’s progress in IP legislation and efforts to coordinate among government bodies are acknowledged but more needs to be done to enforce IP laws effectively.
The United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) 2023 special report on intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement acknowledged Pakistan’s progress in its IP legislation but urged the country to take more steps to enforce IP laws effectively.
The US kept Pakistan on the ‘watch list’ and encouraged the government to seek input from stakeholders on draft laws, as well as join international treaties such as the Copyright Treaty and the Performances and Phonograms Treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
USTR Urges Pakistan to Tackle IP Piracy
Pakistan has made some improvements in its IP legislation, but the USTR’s report expressed serious concerns about the widespread counterfeiting and piracy in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, IT, digital content, and software. Despite establishing IP tribunals in three cities in 2016, Pak has not created new tribunals in other cities, and litigants have raised concerns about the lack of capacity and inconsistency of rulings among tribunal judges.
USTR report also noted the proliferation of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the lack of power provided to criminal enforcement authorities to take action against counterfeit goods. Optical disc piracy is prevalent in many countries, including Pak, while online piracy remains the most challenging copyright enforcement issue in many foreign markets.
The US has called on Pakistan to take steps to address the issue of counterfeiting and piracy in various sectors, provide more power to criminal enforcement authorities to take action against counterfeit goods and establish new IP tribunals in other cities. Additionally, the US applauded Pak’s desire to sign on to international agreements like the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the WIPO Internet Treaties.
Pakistan Urged to Enforce IP Laws Effectively
To address these concerns, Pakistan needs to focus on enforcing IP laws more effectively, including improving the quality and capacity of its IP tribunals, and ensuring that judges are adequately trained and have the necessary resources to make consistent rulings. Moreover, Pak needs to take action against cable operators providing pirated content, as well as counterfeit pharmaceuticals, which pose a significant threat to public health.
Pakistan’s continued efforts to improve its IP laws and coordination among various government bodies are crucial in ensuring effective IP protection and enforcement. Pak’s Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) has continued to make efforts to coordinate among various government bodies involved in IP, which is an encouraging sign.
Improvements to Pakistan’s intellectual property laws and progress towards ratifying IP treaties were reviewed at the February 2023 US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) Ministerial Conference. The US applauded Pakistan’s desire to sign on to international agreements like the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the WIPO Internet Treaties.
Pakistan Urged to Provide More Power Against Counterfeiting
It is essential for Pakistan’s government to provide more power to criminal enforcement authorities to take action against counterfeit goods, including enabling them to conduct raids on counterfeiters’ premises and seize their counterfeit products. It is also important to ensure that there are effective and efficient mechanisms for the registration and enforcement of IP rights, which can foster innovation and create a favorable business environment for domestic and foreign investors, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.
Pakistan has made progress in its IP legislation, but more needs to be done to enforce IP laws effectively. The country needs to take significant steps to address the issue of counterfeiting and piracy in various sectors, provide more power to criminal enforcement authorities, and establish new IP tribunals in other cities. Pak’s continued efforts to improve its IP laws and coordination among various government bodies are crucial in ensuring effective IP protection and enforcement.
