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Introduction
Intellectual Property Office of Papua New Guinea (IPOPNG) is a small but dynamic office fully dedicated to promote and protect intellectual property rights in the country.
IPOPNG has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2000 after the introduction of the Patents and Industrial Designs Act 2000 and Copyrights and Neighbouring Rights 2000. The office was formerly known as the Trade Marks Office of PNG due the only role it played in administering the Trade Marks Act since 1980. However, the name was changed to the Intellectual Property Office of PNG by a Government decision to formally establish the office in 1999. This decision was also made in light of the added responsibilities IPOPNG was to take on with the introduction of the new intellectual property laws.
Organisational Structure (view structure)
The office is located within the INVESTMENT PROMOTION AUTHORITY (IPA) of Papua New Guinea , a government agency responsible for promoting investment and comes under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. IPOPNG has a total of 17 staff who are well trained and skilled in IP Administration and a Registrar as the head of the office.
Laws and Administrative Systems
IPOPNG currently administers laws that provide protection for patents, trade marks, industrial designs and copyrights. This legal framework is also supported by a modern intellectual property rights granting/registration system that the office also administers.
The installation of IP automation system (IPAS) by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in 2006 saw the full automation of the trade marks registration system, and administrative functions for processing patent and industrial designs applications and documents.
IPOPNG has the necessary capacity for trade marks administration whilst IP Australia supports the office in search and substantive examination for patent applications. This arrangement is made possible through a cooperation arrangement reached in 2003. So far, IPOPNG has been able to serve both its local and foreign clients effectively in industrial property by making full use of these arrangements.
Challenges
One of the major challenges facing the office is the need to take a more proactive role in establishing an IP Enforcement system. For any IP system to work effectively, it must be unpinned by an enforcement system where infringement issues can be properly addressed. In light of widespread increase in the importation, reproduction and sale of counterfeit and pirated goods throughout the country, the laws need to be strengthened and a collaborated approach needs to be taken to address the issues.