The conference “Intellectual Property Rights” was held today in Prishtina, organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Kosovo Customs and Kosovo Police, in light of the World Intellectual Property Day. In the beginning of the ceremony, Mr. Ilir Salihu, representing the Ministry of Trade and Industry, among others, highlighted that intellectual property is protected from the Constitution of Kosovo, and specific laws. He added that last year, with the initiative of MTI, the Amendment and Supplement of the Law on Patents and Law on Trademarks were adopted, and also new laws were adopted on the Industrial Design and Geographical Indicators and Designations of Origin. Mr. Salihu further added that “These laws, and others, will help creators and the business community to benefit financially and gain recognition from their inventions and creations. The aforementioned laws offer a balance of interests among inventors and the public interest, and a system which aims to strengthen the environment where the innovation and creativity is successfully developed”, said Mr. Salihu. Furthermore, Mr. Salihu said that the Ministry of Trade and Industry has committed to continuously support the Intellectual Property Agency in advancing and improving its administrative capacities, regarding to business. Currently, it is being worked in advancing the database, known as ‘IPAS’, which will enable the public to have access in the database of patents, designs and trademarks registered in this Agency. The protection and development of intellectual property rights is a priority for the Government of Kosovo, Mr. Salihu said, and added that “These rights have an important role in our rapports with other countries, especially in the Free Trade agreements.” Mr. Salihu also added that “After the entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, the cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Kosovo Customs, Kosovo Police, Market Inspectorate, courts, and experts will be even more substantial and efficient, in better coordinating the policies and activities that lead into the realization of objectives coming from the signing of this important agreement with the European Union”. Finally, Mr. Salihu widhed to the Intellectual Property institutions in Kosovo to become members of the regional and international intellectual property organizations as soon as possible and sign all the relevant International Conventions and Agreements, that cover the Intellectual Property Rights. Kujtim Shala, who represented the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, among others, said that “with the work that has been done by the MCYS in the field of copyrights and from the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the field of Intellectual Property Rights, Kosovo has created a new consolidated system of the intellectual property, based on international conventions and European directives of these fields.” He informed that Kosovo is already fully prepared to adhere in the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Intellectual Property