Enterprise association agrees to promote, protect intellectual propert

The Cambodia Business and Franchise Association (CamBFA) has entered into an agreement with the Intellectual Property Association of Cambodia (IPAC) that will see them work together to promote and protect intellectual property rights (IPR) in the Kingdom.

To jumpstart their partnership, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will establish cooperation in providing legal training and dissemination of information on IPR business under CamBFA, other members of the local business community and the public.

The signing ceremony was held at the Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh. The MoU was signed by CamBFA President Hem Sarith and IPAC President Seng Vuoch Hun.

More than 50 people representing both organisations and their partners graced the occasion.

CamBFA is a nonprofit organisation that was established last year to promote and develop small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship through franchising and matching franchiser to franchisee. Among the group’s objectives is to strengthen relations with government and relevant authorities to build trademark protection for members (as franchiser or brand owner). CamBFA has more than 80 members.

IPAC is an independent organisation dedicated to the protection of IPR. Its main objective is to work with the government to help the private sector better understand IPR, the complex issues surrounding and to learn more about its benefits

Under the agreement, the two sides will work together to establish a common strategy for promoting and protecting intellectual property in the business and franchising sector.

This agreement, in particular, will involve legal training and cooperation to ensure that businesses respect and don’t infringe on IPR.

“This will raise awareness of business people about IPR and related issues. Businesses, including our members who operate legally, will learn and understand more about the benefits of trademark protection and the importance of registering their products,” Hem explained.

“This will go a long way towards promoting and protecting IPR in Cambodia,” he added.

The selling of fakes and imitations is still a concern in Cambodia despite the government’s best efforts to stamp them out. There are six areas in the Kingdom that have been identified as counterfeit hotspots, including Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Poipet.

Last year, the Counterfeit Committee of Cambodia and the European Chamber of Commerce signed an MoU on cooperation in the fight against the importation, production and distribution of counterfeit products.

Two years ago, the Ministry of Commerce warned that it will crackdown on importers and distributors that are found in violation of the Kingdom’s intellectual property laws.(This news came from Khmertimes.com)