Dhaka, Apr 26 (UNB) – Bangladesh is an engine of creativity on the cultural front and the artists need to protect their works as protection of intellectual property (IP) rights matters, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena said here on Thursday.

“Protection of intellectual property rights matters deeply to Bangladesh as the nation fosters the innovation and entrepreneurship needed to become the next Asian Tiger,” the envoy told a seminar.

Mozena said intellectual property protection is no academic exercise for Bangladesh rather it enables it to foster research, innovation and entrepreneurship. “After all, Bangladesh is a crucible for innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Patent, Design and Trade Marks Directorate under the Industries Ministry, Copyrights Office of the Cultural Affairs Ministry and Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh (IPAB) jointly arranged the seminar titled ‘Visionary Innovations’.

Planning Minister AK Khandker spoke at the programme as the chief guest while Industries Minister Dilip Barua attended it as special guest. Industries Secretary KH Masud Siddiqui presided over the seminar.

AK Khandker said Bangladesh is not legging behind in terms of creativity and innovation despite its resource constraint.

He laid emphasis on building an improved intellectual property protection system through joint efforts to build a knowledge-based society.

Dilip Barua said the government has taken necessary steps to protect the ownership of intellectual property. “The government has already formulated the Trade Marks Act-2009.”

Meanwhile, he said, the process of formulating Geographical Indication Law-2011 is underway.

FBCCI president AK Azad, Registrar of the Patent, Design, and Trademarks Directorate BM Kamal, Registrar of Copyrights Office M Manjurul Rahman and IPAB general secretary Azizur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.