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National IPR Committee
The National Intellectual Property Rights Committee (NIPRC) was established by the Government in 1999. The primary purpose of the Committee was to produce draft Intellectual Property (IP) legislation for consideration by National Executive Council (NEC). This purpose was realised when Parliament enacted the Patents & Industrial Designs Act and the Copyright & Neighbouring Rights Act in 2000.
The NIPRC when established did not have proper Terms of Reference. There was neither further determination nor discussion by NEC as to whether the NIPRC should continue or disband after realizing its intended purpose.
After holding a number of meetings and completing its initial task, the committee became defunct during last 6 years. In the absence of the national committee, there have been meetings and consultations held between stakeholder organisations to address intellectual property related issues.
Through these meetings and discussions, many have raised concerns for the need to revitalise the NIPRC with proper Terms of Reference outlining its role and functions. The concerns have been raised in light of developing issues on IPR and the need to take a more collaborated approach in dealing with the issues.
Because of the complexity of the issues and the overlapping functions between different agencies, the national committee is needed to provide the avenue where senior officials can be able to collaborate, share ideas and discuss on how best the relevant organisations can work together to develop PNG's intellectual property system.
Basically, the purpose of the NIPRC is to serve as a consultative, advisory and reviewing authority on all policy and legislative matters relating to intellectual property matters and the enforcement of IPR, realization of the PNG's international obligations under IP treaties PNG is a member to and other incidental issues. Other issues such as traditional knowledge and expressions of culture, IP issues related to biodiversity, the requirements on TRIPS and other matters of national importance that the NIPRC committee needs to address.
Given the above, the IPOPNG as the lead agency in IPR administration and also as the Secretariat of the NIPRC, drafted a TOR in consultation with stakeholder organizations and approved by the Government in April 2008. The Committee is now revitalised with TOR defining its purpose, powers and functions.
Some members of NIPRC
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