'Need more stringent anti-piracy measures'

The Patent Office on Thursday called for more stringent anti-piracy measures besides developing a societal ecosystem that respects intellectual property rights.

The Patent Office on Thursday called for more stringent anti-piracy measures besides developing a societal ecosystem that respects intellectual property rights.

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“No governmental effort can play an effective role in preventing counterfeiting and piracy unless the society as a whole develops a sense of respect for the intellectual toil of others," said P.H. Kurian, controller general of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Indian Patent Office.

He was addressing the fourth International Conference on counterfeiting and piracy, organised by industry chamber CII.

Kurian called upon all the states to follow the example of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, and bring about legislative measures to protect the music and film industry — the worst victims of piracy and counterfeiting in the country.

According to a joint study by Hollywood and Bollywood conducted in 2009, the film and music industry loses Rs 16,240 crore of revenue annually because of piracy and counterfeit activity.

This, according to the study, is almost 40 per cent of the revenue potential for the industry and 8,20,000 potential jobs.

The FMCG sector annually loses Rs 1,700 crore to fake goods, while the loss on the auto industry is Rs 6,000 crore.

The other major victims of this illegal trade are software, fashion, drugs, among others.