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BruIPO Celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2018

BruIPO Celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2018

Bandar Seri Begawan, 26 April 2018 

The Brunei Intellectual Property Office (BruIPO) under the Energy and Industry Department yesterday hosted a 'Panel Discussion' at the Anggerek Desa Technology Park's Design and Technology Building in conjunction with the celebration of the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2018. The World IP Day (WIPD) is a global event celebrated every April 26th by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to commemorate the importance of IP in our everyday life. Member States of WIPO, including Brunei Darussalam, celebrate the World IP Day with activities around the globe to demonstrate how IP works and to drive the technological innovation.

This year's theme, "Powering Change: Women in Innovation & Creativity", celebrates the "brilliance, ingenuity, curiosity and courage of the women who are driving change in our world and shaping our common future".  In support of this year's World IP Day theme, the panel discussion aimed to stimulate interactive conversation whilst acknowledging our local women's contribution through their innovative and creative efforts.  This was attended by more than 60 participants, including women leaders and entrepreneurs. 

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The Guest of Honour and one of the panellists was Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Hayati binti Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Salleh, the Attorney General.  Other panellists included Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman, a member of the Legislative Council; Professor Dr. Hjh Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB); and Dayang Shahrinah Yusof Khan, the Deputy Registrar & Head of BruIPO.  The discussion was moderated by Dayang Quratul-Ain Bandial, Editor and co-founder of THE SCOOP.

The Panel Discussion was followed by an exhibition of products and services registered as a trademark or granted patent, and successfully commercialised. Eight female business owners showcased their creative businesses, namely Bajoo, Currypuff Factory, Enya Bijoux, Little Bosses IQdemy, NHS Creations, Shine Cycle, Tarbiyyah Global and Udra. The IP exhibition was aimed at stirring creativity amongst women whilst also exhibiting the intrinsic link between creative processes and profitability  through IP. 

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In the afternoon, the WIPD celebration continued with talks on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Enforcement, which were facilitated by a guest speaker from the International Trademark Association (INTA), Mr Louis Chan, Senior Legal Counsel, Procter & Gamble Asia and Dayang Nur al-Ain binti Dr Hj Abdullah, Deputy Senior Counsel from the Attorney General's Chambers.  The talks attracted more than 50 participants from government departments and enforcement agencies, local businesses, industry, higher learning institutions and members of the public. Recent initiatives of the Ministries and other agencies in the past few years have demonstrated Brunei Darussalam's commitment towards the promotion and protection of intellectual property.  The most significant development is that Brunei Darussalam has remained off the United States Trade representative (USTR) Special 301 Watch List consecutively since 2013, owed largely due to the positive developments in the IP infrastructure and concerted efforts among all the relevant Ministries and agencies. 

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From 26 to 28 April, BruIPO will provide free consultation to the public under its 'IP-Consult' initiative to encourage more local companies to protect their 'brand' adequately and raise awareness on the benefits and protection of trademark as a tool for business growth and competitiveness.  126 out of 1,609 trademark applications received by BruIPO in 2017 were from local applicants, which is a significant increase from 79 applications logged in 2016. BruIPO hopes to continue the positive trend for 2018. Local businesses can also benefit from a cost-effective platform for trademark protection in multiple jurisdictions abroad via the Madrid Protocol, which BruIPO had implemented on 6 January 2017.  For further information on registration of IP and BruIPO's other services, visit their Help Desk located at Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) Business Support Centre (BSC), Level 1, Design & Technology Building, Anggerek Desa.  They can also be contacted at 238 0965/6 or email enquiries@bruipo.gov.bn whilst information such as forms and leaflets can be downloaded from their website at www.bruipo.gov.bn .  

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