"Just imagine, in 1990s, a cassette record could reach two million copies. Now, (to sell) 20,000 copies, it could take a year."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Noted Indonesian singer and composer Melly Goeslaw has urged the government to be serious in dealing with intellectual property piracy as musicians were losing billions of rupiah due to the criminal practice.

"It could reach up to billions. Just imagine, in 1990s, a cassette record could reach two million copies. Now, (to sell) 20,000 copies, it could take a year. In the past, my album `Jika` was sold 20,000 copies in a day. So, we could imagine the losses of composers, intellectual property rights owners and the state as well," Melly said here Tuesday after she was named an envoy of the intellectual property rights during the commemoration of the World Intellectual Property Day which falls on April 26.

Melly Goeslaw (37) has been appointed as the intellectual property envoy for her creativity. She has composed more than 500 songs and been active in promoting the protection of the intellectual property rights.

She criticized the government for not taking enough concrete actions in fighting the piracy. She said the government was not serious enough and mostly talked about intellectual property rights in seminars.

Many of the general public and even those involved in industry are not yet aware of the intellectual property rights and sanction for pirating one`s copyright, according to the singer.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace here Tuesday officially opened a National Convention on Intellectual Property Rights.

The convention was organized by the ministry of law and human rights in observance of World Intellectual Property Day which falls on April 26.

The event was also attended by among others Chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Taufik Kiemas, Supreme Court (MA) Chief Harifin A Tumpa, Attorney General Basrief Arief and a number of cabinet ministers.

April 26th is observed annually as World Intellectual Property Organization Day (WIPO Day). This year the theme is: "Designing for Future" and coincides wit the half century of Indonesia`s first regulation on intellectual property rights, namely Law No. 21/1961 on Trade Brand.

During the event, the justice and human rights minister presented awards to several figures and institutions considered having significant contribution in promoting and protecting intellectual property rights in Indonesia.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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