KATHMANDU: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has highlighted the urgent need for greater state involvement in encouraging intellectual property (IP) registration and awareness in Nepal.
Speaking at a program organized to mark World Intellectual Property Day, Dhakal noted that a lack of adequate knowledge about IP rights continues to pose challenges to their protection.
The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies; the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; the Department of Industry; and the Office of the Registrar of Copyright.
Dhakal also pointed out that disputes over trademarks often arise and emphasized the need to simplify and expedite the complaint and hearing processes related to trademarks and patents.
“Nepal’s legal framework already provides protection for intellectual property, helping safeguard patents, copyrights, and trademarks,” he said. “Programs like these play a crucial role in raising public awareness about intellectual property rights.”
He further noted that with the growth of Nepal’s music sector into a vibrant entertainment industry, there is an increasing need to protect creative works and support creators.
World Intellectual Property Day, first celebrated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2001, is observed each year under a different theme. This year’s theme is “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” recognizing the relationship between intellectual property and the global music industry.
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