As the Kingdom marked World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, Prime Minister Hun Sen called on compatriots to celebrate the day by working together to protect intellectual property (IP) rights and eliminate their dishonest use.
“On behalf of the government of Cambodia, it will be my great pleasure to join in the celebrations of the day, especially with all of our female participants. This year’s theme is “Women and Intellectual Property: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity”, and it will be observed by all of the member nations of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO),” he said in an audio address to the nation, released on the eve of the occasion.
The day is marked every year, and aims to enhance the protection and use of IP and increase the public’s broader understanding of the subject.
“This year’s theme not only inspires us all to strengthen IP protection in Cambodia, but promotes the use of knowledge, creativity and skills in creating branding and product development, copyright and business development,” said the premier.
He said that creating an intellectual property law is fundamental to Cambodia’s market economy, which focuses on the private sector as the driving force of economic growth.
“Strengthening the IP protection in order to eliminate acts of dishonest competition is critical to the growth of the private sector through the creation of Cambodian branded products, innovation, and productivity,” he added.
Soun Vichea, an adviser to the Ministry of Commerce and director-general for Intellectual Property Rights, said several institutions will organise celebrations of the day.
“Three Cambodian products have just been registered for geographical indication, including Kampot-Kep salt, Kampot-Kep fish sauce and Takeo crayfish. Four collective trademarks are being registered – ‘Ambok Kampong Thom’ (Kampong Thom rice flakes), ‘doung khtis Battambang (Battambang wax coconut), “Koh Trong pomelo” and “Nom banh chok Siem Reap” (a local variety of rice noodle),” he said.
“We strive to spread the knowledge of intellectual property and as result we are seeing an increase in Cambodian brands being registered, along with an uptick in businesses using IP to drive their growth,” he added.
Cambodia is currently implementing IP laws, including trademark, copyright and patent protection. The Kingdom is a signatory to international agreements related to industrial design, seed management and plant breeder’s rights, as well as laws relating to geographical indications.
