As the year begins in earnest, we’ve been gathered some toughest on what’s in store for the IP community in 2014.
We’re likely to see some new IP legislation passed this year. According to articles 16 and 17 of Law No. 12 of 2011 on the Establishment of Laws and Regulations, the House of Representatives must include proposed new laws in in the National Legislative Program (Program Legislasi Nasional). A review of the 66 laws listed in the 2014 National Legislation Program (see here) reveals that an amendment to the existing Copyright Law (Law No. 19 of 2002 on Copyright) has been included. House elections in April and the Presidential election in July will likely cause significant disruption, but with some luck we may see a revised Copyright Law passed. Unfortunately there is no mention of any other IP legislation.
Corruption continues to be a serious concern. Reports that the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) has succeeded in changing attitudes towards corruption (see here) are encouraging, but there’s still a long way to go. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 (see here) has Indonesia ranked 114th of 177 assessed countries. We can expect increasing levels of action from the KPK in 2014 as it continues to tackle this crippling problem. Tailoring IP strategies to avoid situations where corrupt payments might be required, continues to be the best way forward.
It will be an interesting year for the tobacco industry, as IP strategies are adjusted to accommodate new regulations on graphic warnings on cigarettes packets (see here) and restrictions on the use of certain descriptors (see our post here).
For IP professionals, we have another round of PERADI (bar) exams coming up in February, and another IP Consultant’s course later in the year.
It’s great to be back in the office again with a full staff, after the year-end break. Here's to a successful 2014!