"Companies cannot enjoy this free of charge services. They get profits from their products, so they must pay if they want to register."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government has allocated Rp600 million for the registration of free-intellectual property rights (IPR) applications in 2011.

"The government has allocated the funds from the State Budget. So, indigent people, universities, students will not be charged for IPR registrations," Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar said here Tuesday.

The funds will be increased next year if the number of people wanting to get free IPR registrations increases.

Businessmen and industries, however, still need to pay for IPR registrations, according to the minister.

"Companies cannot enjoy this free of charge services. They get profits from their products, so they must pay if they want to register. It`s the regulation, they must pay as state`s non-tax revenue (PNBP)," Minister Patrialis Akbar said.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said IPR could encourage the nation`s creativity and become an economic investment base in the future.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace here Tuesday (April 26) 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.

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.

April 26th is observed annually as World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Day. This year the theme is: "Designing for Future" and coincides with the half century of Indonesia`s first regulation on intellectual property rights, namely Law No. 21/1961 on Trade Brand.
(Uu.F001/H-NG/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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