A Public Outreach Campaign on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was kicked off today by the Minister of Education, Culture and Human Resources, Dr Vasant Bunwaree, in the Lunch Room of the National Assembly in Port Louis. The aim is to sensitize the business community and the public on the need to protect and enforce IPR and at the same time to raise awareness with regard to the dangers of counterfeited products.
The campaign is organised by the United States Embassy in collaboration with the Mauritius Society of Authors (MASA) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources. As a result of a cooperative agreement signed with the US Embassy in September 2008, MASA was awarded USD 16 000 for the purpose of conducting this IPR public awareness campaign.
In his speech, Dr V. Bunwaree, cautioned that piracy constitutes a threat that can endanger the very survival of the cultural industry and can play havoc with the existence of those whose livelihood depend on creativity.
According to the Minister, IPR which covers various economic fields such as creative industries, micro businesses, governmental and non-governmental institutions, has become an engine for economic growth. He underscored the contribution of the cultural industry in the integral development of a nation and the vital role of artists in forging a culturally rich and harmonious society.
For her part, Ms Virginia Blaser, US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires who was also present at the ceremony, said that IPR protection and enforcement is one of the priority issues identified in the US - Mauritius Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). She also pointed out that protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights helps to enhance foreign investment and drive long-term economic development by stimulating job growth.
The programme of the campaign is scheduled from April to September 2009 and comprises talks in colleges and youth centres, advertising and awareness campaigns on television and radio, an essay competition for college students, a DVD conception on IPR as well as distribution of posters and flyers on the dangers of IPR violation.
The campaign is organised by the United States Embassy in collaboration with the Mauritius Society of Authors (MASA) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources. As a result of a cooperative agreement signed with the US Embassy in September 2008, MASA was awarded USD 16 000 for the purpose of conducting this IPR public awareness campaign.
In his speech, Dr V. Bunwaree, cautioned that piracy constitutes a threat that can endanger the very survival of the cultural industry and can play havoc with the existence of those whose livelihood depend on creativity.
According to the Minister, IPR which covers various economic fields such as creative industries, micro businesses, governmental and non-governmental institutions, has become an engine for economic growth. He underscored the contribution of the cultural industry in the integral development of a nation and the vital role of artists in forging a culturally rich and harmonious society.
For her part, Ms Virginia Blaser, US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires who was also present at the ceremony, said that IPR protection and enforcement is one of the priority issues identified in the US - Mauritius Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). She also pointed out that protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights helps to enhance foreign investment and drive long-term economic development by stimulating job growth.
The programme of the campaign is scheduled from April to September 2009 and comprises talks in colleges and youth centres, advertising and awareness campaigns on television and radio, an essay competition for college students, a DVD conception on IPR as well as distribution of posters and flyers on the dangers of IPR violation.
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