We hope that at least 20 percent of the existing 64.1 million MSMEs in Indonesia will apply (to the directorate general) for intellectual property rights
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly, has said that intellectual property will play an essential role in national economic recovery post-COVID-19.



"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, registrations for intellectual properties continued increasing, particularly from the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)," he highlighted during an event held to commemorate World Intellectual Property Day here on Tuesday.



The minister revealed that domestic MSMEs account for 25 percent of the domestic intellectual property registered with the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI).



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"We hope that at least 20 percent of the existing 64.1 million MSMEs in Indonesia will apply (to the directorate general) for intellectual property rights," Laoly remarked.



The government has designated 2022 as the Year of Copyright, as part of an effort to recognize the increasing trend in and contribution of the creative economy sector to the national economy, particularly creators of works that need copyright protection, the minister said.



The National Collective Management Organization (LMKN) has disbursed more than Rp51 billion (US$3.5 million) in royalty to copyright holders of songs and musical works available commercially for the period from 2020 to the first half of 2021, he added.


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Besides musical works, some other products that are well-known among the global community, such as Acehnese Gayo coffee, Endek fabric from Bali, and Amed salt, have all been protected as intellectual properties, the minister noted.



The recognition of intellectual property of a product, besides providing economic benefits, would also bolster pride in national products, he added.



"The (intellectual property) potential will not only bring economic benefit but also have ecological, tourism, social and cultural potentials; (intellectual property) will emphasize our national identity," Laoly said.


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Translator: M Zulfikar, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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