Many Papua New Guineans do not understand the importance of intellectual property. There is lack of appreciation of IP as an important tool in trade and investment and in everyday life. Due to this situation, there is widespread IP infringement activities, especially in the reproduction and sale of counterfeit and pirated products.

In order to educate people the IPOPNG adopted an IP Awareness program in 2004. Under this program, the Office will continue to carry out small workshops and seminars targeting specific audience groups in the main centres of the country.

Goal

The goal or aim of the program is to have increased awareness on the requirements/implications of the laws and the commercial use and benefits of protecting intellectual property.

Objectives

Three are three main objectives that have been identified:

To ensure an improved level of understanding of IP rights and the ability to exercise these rights and thus to encourage greater participation by the public in economic development of the country through means other then formal employment.

To encourage potential owners of IP to approach relevant authorities to seek protection of their IP.

To stimulate economic growth in the country through greater creativity and innovation, and to promote investment in PNG by invoking investor confidence through the protection and respect of IP rights in country

Apart from the awareness program, the IPOPNG also organises national workshops and seminars in collaboration with international partners like APEC and WIPO

It involves in small consultative committees established to deal with specific IP issues directly related to the functions of those organisations concerned. For instance, the ICCC is responsible for the Committee on Consumer Consultative Products Committee (CPCC). This Committee addresses issues on consumer product safety affecting the consumers and industries.  

IPOPNG is also represented in a group set up by the Business Council of PNG (BCPNG) which represents the private sector. BCPNG has also been concerned with the widespread counterfeit and piracy activities both in the country and abroad and has set up a working group which is called the "BCPNG Inter-Agency Group Regarding IPR". This group is exploring the possibilities of establishing a body that will focus mainly on enforcement issues.

Through these networking arrangements, the IPOPNG will continue to create awareness, share information and collaborate with all local stakeholders in building and strengthening the IP regime.

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