August 2, 2005

APEC needs sound IP system – Cristobal

Intellectual Property Office Director General Adrian S. CristobaL Jr. said on Tuesday that Asia-Pacific countries need effective intellectual property systems coordinating closely with one another in order to maintain economic growth in the region.

“Promoting intellectual property as a tool for socio-economic development requires effective IP systems and close cooperation among APEC countries in the region,” he said.

Members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group (IPEG) including the Philippines met in Manila on Tuesday for the first day of their series of meetings on IPR.

Among the issues and topics that they are going to discuss are the protection of emerging fields in IPR, Geographic Indications, trade and investment facilitation and the comprehensive strategy on IPR in APEC.

They would also look into the standardization of trademark application, of which the Philippines has already availed of, the electronic commerce and technology transfer through ensured IP protection.

APEC-IPEG 21 st meeting chair and Korea Intellectual Property Office Senior Deputy Director Dr. Mi-Chung Ahn said that the region has to come up with a “win-win” strategy to build up and strengthen its IPR enforcement and protection.

The strategy include tapping the cooperation of its members against counterfeiting, harmonization of their IPR laws and stepping up anti-border piracy.

Ahn said APEC has to have a stronger IP enforcement in order to facilitate trade and investment in the region.

Countries that are attending the 21 st APEC-IPEG meeting are Australia; Canada; Chile; Hong Kong; Indonesia; Indonesia; Japan; China; Singapore; Taiwan; Thailand; US; and Vietnam.

Cristobal said that the member economies and the whole region need a working IP system in order to ensure the continued outpour of trade and investment and spur individual and regional growth.

In the country, the director general mentioned of the programs and projects that are currently being undertaken by the IPO in its effort to strengthen the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights.

The discussion will be culminating in a two-day seminar on cyber crime on Thursday up to Friday, which seek to strengthen IPR enforcement and come up with policy measures on fighting violations in the cyberspace.