PNG urged to protect intellectual property

The National National
  • Intellectual property laws and policies currently in place do not protect creativity and innovative ideas, according to a local businesswoman.
    Dolarose Trawen, owner of 3ABCD Tailoring and Raggiana Raiments, said she had observed that shops were printing and selling work of local designers.
    She said this was stifling the efforts of local artists and business people.
    US Ambassador Guinea Catherine Ebert-Gray said progressive countries like PNG required a comprehensive intellectual property (IP) framework to allow designers like Trawen to flourish.
    Popular songwriter/singer Mari Ellingson experienced this first-hand when one of her songs was translated into another language.
    After she heard the new version of her song on a local radio station, she objected for two reasons.
    First because the melody was stolen and, second, she didn’t know if the lyrics in the other language were offensive or not.
    Fortunately, after she made a public complaint she hasn’t heard the new version again.
    Ebert-Gray said the recipe for a comprehensive IP framework included:
  • A legal regime that ensured IP rights could be obtained and enforced;
  •  complementary regulatory and fiscal measures incentivise research and development as well as firm and job growth; and,
  •  Due process and transparency from law enforcement, regulators, and the judiciary were essential in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property assets and investments.