"The other side is very serious, as if the Pakistan report worsens, the country could be placed under sanctions and trade restrictions through the UN agencies", he added. The efforts have been made by Pakistan to comply with the complaints by US authorities regarding intellectual property rights.
The USTR would be informed about these efforts in coming days he added, that includes the enactment of law related to intellectual property rights, which would eventually help implement IP compliance in trade and industry across the country. As far as Intellectual Property and Copy Rights are concerned, apart from Pakistan the other countries placed at the priority watch list by the Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) includes Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela.
Chairman IPO said that being in the priority watch list is technically risky for the country, not only for the trade and commerce but it adds to the image problem too, which the country is already facing in the west. "We have told the US authorities that they need to consider the size of Pakistan economy and the damage being done to US economy through breach of copyright laws in the country is almost negligible," the IPO officials said adding, "But we have to be careful in view of current relations between the two countries which have gone fragile in recent past."
The USTR in its report has said, "Pakistan remains on the Priority Watch List in 2012 and there was widespread counterfeiting and piracy, particularly book and optical disc (CD) piracy, continue to present serious concerns for US industry," Hameed Ullah stated. The USTR has also said that Pakistan should provide ex officio authority to its enforcement officials, and should provide for deterrent-level penalties for criminal IPR infringement. Pakistan should also take the necessary steps to reform its copyright law.
On specific issues, IPO Chairman Afridi admitted that some of the issues were difficult to implement. Ordinary people of Pakistan can only pirate books - mainly the students as they are at reasonable prices. "We have to devise a way out over such sectors - but for other items the fake producers are not only causing damage to the economy but those making fake edible products are actually playing with the health of consumers."
He said that a number of measures have been taken to help implement IP laws in country. He said that recently batch of 20 judges have been imparted training abroad regarding IP laws and IP tribunals are expected to be established in country soon. Besides an IP cell is being established in the FBR while the FIA has already established the IP cell.
He further said that the IPO- Pakistan has launched a drive to streamline all the trademarks in country and all the businesses were being encouraged to get their trademark and logo registered.
During the year 2011-12, 7,039 trademarks were allotted by the IPO and the figure is expected to rise in coming years as different chambers and trade bodies have agreed to convince their members to have their trademarks registered with IPO. He added that after registration even the producer can claim his rights and the consumers will know what they were buying.