The Directorate General of Property Rights (DJKI) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights held a meeting with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to discuss efforts to eradicate counterfeit goods in the country.
“The government and USTR discussed the steps that Indonesia still needs to take to exit the Priority Watch List (PWL),” Director of Investigation and Dispute Resolution at the ministry’s DJKI Anom Wibowo stated through a written statement received here on Thursday.
According to Wibowo, PWL is the list of countries that are considered to have serious problems with intellectual property violations.
In addition to the USTR meeting , Wibowo, who is the Indonesian delegation chairman, also met with representatives of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Wednesday, November 3, in Washington D.C., the United States.
“Taking off Indonesia’s name from the PWL status and the watch list in the “Special 301” Report published by USTR has an important role in increasing international confidence, especially of foreign investors,” Wibowo expounded.
He added that Indonesia will still put forward a persuasive approach through socialization and dissemination of information on intellectual property.
If such efforts remain unheeded by intellectual property offenders, both in online and offline markets, then the government will take the legal route.
Meanwhile, Director for Innovation and Intellectual Property at the USTR Office, Sung Eun Chang, highlighted several points related to law enforcement efforts against intellectual property offenses that can be improved by the Indonesian government.
Chang suggested that Indonesia show an increase in the number of raids, confiscation of goods, and destruction of evidence.
USTR also deems it necessary for the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics to prosecute illegal websites.
Chang opined that closing down websites was not sufficient, akin to the case of customs and excise.
The Indonesian government should continue the civil case for brand and industrial design counterfeiting, USTR emphasized.
Source: Antara News