Cambodia Far From Intellectual Property Targets
Cambodia is still a way off implementing World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on intellectual property rights, despite a deadline to do so in just over a month. At the end of June, the group of the world’s 49 least developed countries (LDCs), including Cambodia, run out of time on an already extended exemption that means they are not obliged to enforce copyright and prevent vendors from selling pirated or counterfeit goods. … The deadline has already been extended once, from 2005 to this year, and in Cambodia at least, the availability of goods in breach of intellectual property rules—counterfeit medicines, fake fashion brands, pirated books, movies, music and computer software—continues unabated. If the deadline is not extended, Cambodia could be at risk of trade sanctions being implemented by the WTO if another member state files a complaint against the country. … A national strategy had been drawn up on the issue, and would be enacted after the national election in July, [Mr. Var Roth San, director of the intellectual property department at the Commerce Ministry] said. …
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/business/cambodia-far-from-intellectual-property-targets-26805/
