The ministry has formed an executive committee under the coordination of Joint Secretary Begendra Raj Sharma Poudel to work for the setting up of the new body. [break]
The committee with representations from DoI, Ministry of Culture (MoC) and Ministry of General Administration (MoGA), among others, has been conducting Organization and Management (ONM) Survey.
"The ONM survey will give the ministry its recommendations about structure, nature, number of employees needed, infrastructure and budget among others for the new body," Khatiwada added.
"After conducting the ONM survey, the ministry will begin discussions with other ministries and stakeholders," said Rishikesh Dhungel, under secretary at MoI.
MoI officials said the ministry has asked the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to allocate budget for the ONM survey.
Industrial Enterprises Act 2010 provides for setting up of a separate IP body. “As the Act gives the basis at a policy level for the formation of a separate IP body, the ministry is now preparing to execute it,” said Yam Kumari Khatiwada, spokesperson of MoI.
The new body will have wider scope to exercise its authority. “After the formation of the new body we will also register IP claims from other fields including, academia and arts,” she said.
“The new body will help the nation to execute its commitment to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and World Trade Organization (WTO),” added Khatiwada.
Radha Krishna Shrestha, head of Industrial Property Division (IPD) at DoI, said the new body will handle IP-related functions in a more scientific, organized and efficient manner.
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