Govt pledges measures to safeguard Nepal's intellectual property
KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, stated that the government would take on the role of a guardian to safeguard copyrights.
He made this declaration at an event jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Department of Industry, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Nepal Copyright Registrar's Office to mark World Intellectual Property Day 2025 on Saturday.
“For the protection of intellectual property, policy reforms should be implemented to preserve and promote intellectual property as well as original art and culture,” he remarked.
The minister pledged that the government would take firm action against individuals engaged in intellectual theft of Nepali creators’ works and unauthorised publication or broadcast of those works under false names. Emphasising the importance of raising public awareness on intellectual property protection, Minister Bhandari called for cooperation from all sectors to safeguard Nepal’s unique cultural traditions.
At the event, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal underlined the necessity of expanding the State’s role by fostering the registration of intellectual property.
Dhakal highlighted that insufficient knowledge about intellectual property (IP) exacerbates the challenges associated with its protection. He mentioned that disputes sometimes arise regarding trademarks and stressed the need for prioritising their resolution. He also suggested simplifying and streamlining the process for filing complaints, and addressing issues pertaining to trademarks and patents.
“Nepal’s legal framework already secures intellectual property rights, aiding the protection of patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Events such as this significantly contribute to raising public awareness about intellectual property,” said Dhakal.
He also mentioned that, as the music and entertainment industries expand, it is imperative for creators to protect their intellectual creations.
World Intellectual Property Day was first celebrated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2001. In keeping with WIPO's tradition of adopting unique themes for the occasion each year, this year’s theme is "IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP."
