Yogyakarta has much higher intellectual property potential compared to other provinces, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly has said.
“If we (compare) Yogyakarta’s (rate) with other regions, (they have) so many copyrights or rights to brands. Proportionally, Yogyakarta has a lot more (of them) compared to other areas,” Minister Laoly said after a seminar hosted by the Law and Human Rights Ministry about intellectual properties, in Yogyakarta on Thursday.
The wealth of the province’s cultural and natural resources has enabled it to produce several good products, which could potentially earn some spotlight in the global market, he opined.
“Because here there are many creators, inventors, musicians, traditional culture, book writers, and many other works,” he said.
Among the collective intellectual property assets that must be encouraged to enter the international market are products derived from Indonesia’s geographic potential, also known as geographical indication.
Geographical indication could act as a catalyst since not only does it function as brand for a nation, but also promotes the state’s economic independence, the minister explained.
He cited some examples of such geographical indication products in Yogyakarta, like Sleman salacca zalacca, Kulon Progo coconut sugar, and Yogyakarta’s written batik.
“There is also a wealth of collective intellectual property potential which (has something in common with) tourism development,” he said.
Although still ranked eighth nationally in terms of items registered as intellectual property, Yogyakarta has a rather good track record in listing its assets, he opined.
“Yogyakarta has an Intellectual Property Office, so we see that the Yogyakarta government’s guidance to encourage creators, inventors (to register their intellectual properties) is rather good,” he said.
He further said he expected other regions to follow the example set by the Yogyakarta government in assisting people to register intellectual property.
“Because this is closely related to national economic development,” the minister added.
Source: Antara News