IP digitalisation: Addressing issues of counterfeit, illicit trade, copyrights violation

We are proud, as the citizens of Bangladesh, of the recognition that we got in March 2018 that will facilitate our formally achieving the status of a developing country and thus graduation from that of a least developed country (LDC) in 2024. Currently, our per capita income is almost US$1,754, gross domestic product (GDP) growth is 7.65 per cent, population below poverty line is 12.9 per cent, and foreign reserve is almost $33.02 billion. As a LDC, Bangladesh is now enjoying duty-free market access in all developed countries, except apparel exports to the USA. The country may enjoy all LDC-specific benefits up to 2024 with a grace period of another three years. So, there are approximately 10 years for us to prepare ourselves to face the challenges for sustaining economic growth as a developing country. In this context, Intellectual Property (IP) may play one of the significant roles for sustaining economic growth. If we are able to ensure IP Rights (IPRs) in the country, world-famous brands will then be interested to expand their business in Bangladesh.
After graduation from a LDC to a developing country, Bangladesh will lose about 8.0 per cent of its total exports revenue (which is equivalent to $2.7 billion) because of the imposition of additional tariff on its exports by 6.7 per cent. On the other hand, we should utilise the opportunities of developing country for sustaining economic growth. In this connection, we may undertake more public-private initiatives (PPIs) for branding Bangladesh to attract foreign investment in order to ensure the availability of adequate infrastructure facilitates. Moreover, if IPR-related issues are addressed, then significant monetary value amounting to more than Tk 500 billion (50 thousand crore) will be added to our economy.
Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh (IPAB) is a non-profit welfare association for facilitating IPR in Bangladesh. The major social welfare work of the association is raising public awareness about IPR violations (counterfeited products, copyrights infringement, smuggled products, duty evasion, etc.), legal enforcement support and policy advocacy. IPAB has taken significant initiatives in the national interest, especially to establish intellectual property rights in different sectors.
Through different research-based findings, we have come to know that over 12 per cent of medicines, over 30 per cent of agrochemical products, over 50 per cent of cosmetics and over 70 per cent of electronic appliances, sold throughout the country, are either fake or sub-standard or unauthorised. It is a bitter truth. Such malpractices pose a threat to the prosperity of the economy and tarnish its brand image and affect profitability of several brands. Worst of all, customers and mass people are at great risk of using such sub-standard counterfeit products.
With the ever-increasing ease of information, protecting Intellectual Property through the use of modern digital technology should be a priority for all. Hence, IPAB is working to facilitate Intellectual Property Digitalisation in Bangladesh (IPDB). This programme will create following facilitates:
* Anti-counterfeit Technological Hub: Registering any intellectual property to easy detection of fake products;
* Technological Solution: Creating a unique solution through web, mobile apps and SMS to check originality and report any infringed copy of a branded product.
* Consumer Awareness: Making awareness campaign for stakeholders and consumers.
* Digital Supply Chain Process: Encouraging web/apps-based solution by ensuring digital supply chain process.
* Market Monitoring Cell: Introducing a 'Monitoring Cell' in association with legal enforcement authority for market monitoring to identify illicit products/services.
* Arbitration Facility: Promoting an arbitration facility to address infringement issues of IP holders to avoid litigation risks.
We all know that the government is driving the programme of digitalisation process in key sectors and their integration. Consequently, every people will have access to the information and technology to be benefited through using modern technology even from a remote corner of the country. With a view to keeping us on the government track, this year IPAB has decided to focus on digitalisation process of intellectual property. It is not a new concept in the developed countries; however, proper implementation of IP digitalisation process may not be easy to introduce in Bangladesh due to lack of technological capacity and unfamiliarity of stakeholders. The IP digitalisation process is essential for protection of IP rights which will address the issues of counterfeit, illicit trade and copyrights violation.
Innovation and creativity greatly matter if we want to bring expected changes within the shortest period. It is true that every success is built on innovations and intellectual knowledge. So, protecting intellectual property rights is a must for our better future. Therefore, the relevant stakeholders should play their roles and responsibilities to facilitate IP digitalisation process to meet the challenges for sustainable economic growth of Bangladesh as a developing Country.

Md Azizur Rahman, FCS is Director General, Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh.
E-mail: [email protected]