Nepal’s business landscape is grappling with a surge in intellectual property rights (IPR) violations, posing significant challenges for domestic industrialization and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). As the country commemorates World Intellectual Property Day, government officials and industry experts have raised concerns over the alarming rise in trademark, patent, and design infringements, underscoring the need for robust policy enforcement and regulatory reforms.
The Department of Industry, the focal point for addressing IPR complaints, has been inundated with a staggering 1,500 cases related to trademarks, patents, and designs. Yagyaraj Koirala, the Director General of the Department, acknowledged the growing awareness among businesses and individuals regarding the protection of their intellectual property rights, yet the resolution of infringement cases remains a daunting task.
Settling IPR disputes in Nepal can be a protracted process, often taking years or even decades due to the department’s limited judicial authority and reliance on the country’s notoriously sluggish judicial system. This delay not only frustrates businesses but also discourages foreign investors from entering the Nepali market, hampering the nation’s economic growth potential.
In an effort to address these challenges, the Nepali government has drafted a new law to supersede the antiquated Patent, Design and Trademark Act of 1965. The draft legislation aims to modernize the country’s intellectual property regulatory framework, aligning it with international standards and addressing emerging issues such as geographical indications, utility models, and traditional knowledge.
However, experts caution that weak enforcement and inadequate fines have contributed to the proliferation of counterfeit products and trademark infringement in Nepal. The existing law imposes a meager fine of Rs100,000 (approximately $750) and property seizure for misusing registered trademarks, a penalty deemed insufficient to deter offenders.
The influx of counterfeit goods, particularly those imitating well-known multinational brands like Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, and KFC, has raised concerns among foreign investors, particularly those from the United States. The lack of a comprehensive compensation law, a top priority for American businesses, has discouraged FDI inflows from this critical market.
Furthermore, Nepal’s intellectual property registration process remains predominantly manual, plagued by inefficiencies and bureaucratic hurdles, deterring both domestic and foreign service seekers. While trademark registrations have seen an upswing, the number of patent and design registrations remains alarmingly low, hampering the country’s industrialization efforts.
According to the Global Innovation Index 2023 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Nepal ranks a disappointing 108th out of 132 countries surveyed, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to foster an environment conducive to innovation and creativity.
As Nepal strives to position itself as an attractive investment destination and nurture its nascent industrial sector, addressing the intellectual property rights challenges has become a pressing priority. Experts emphasize the need for comprehensive legal reforms, robust enforcement mechanisms, and streamlined registration processes to safeguard the interests of businesses, encourage innovation, and attract foreign direct investment.
