ALI KABIR SHAH

ALI & ASSOCIATES

Challenges of the New Frontier:IPRs and the Internet

The Interconnected World

Map of the internet

The internet doubles in size every 5.3 years

Internet Is a Consumer’s Best Friend

Allows consumers to be better informed

Reviews of Avari Hotel on tripadvisor.com J from London: “In a volatile city like Karachi you need a safe haven and the Avari is

certainly that.”

M from Mumbai: “One of the oldest hotels, Avari has an old world charm.”

O from Singapore: “Very comfortable and safe hotel in downtown Karachi.”

Enhances accessibility Online shopping

Several Pakistani e-stores are now operational Order online and products are delivered Payment by credit card or cash collected at time of delivery

Online Copyright Violation

It all started with the Music

Online piracy is a global problem

However in Pakistan online piracy has become institutionalized

Pakistan is perhaps the only country where many Internet Service Providers set up servers dedicated to illegal downloads

The Internet: A Counterfeiters Dream

E-marketplace for Pakistani goods is largely unregulated No certification process for websites or products Domain name violation

Two faced problem Unauthorized sale of original products Sale of counterfeit products

The development of the electronic marketplace has resulted in an explosion in the sale of counterfeit productsProducts include:- Handbags Clothes Medicines Watches Food items

Local Crimes, Global Menace

Interconnectivity results in criminals having global outreach

Key cases:- Motion Picture Association Unregulated export of medicines – fake and genuine LVMH

Local Crimes, Global Menace

Pakistani Diaspora becomes a specific target

Two way traffic: import of counterfeit goods increases Internet postings allow criminals to seek out manufacturers in China

Parallel importers benefit from online marketplace

Solutions

Policy Initiatives Policy should not be reactionary but formative Enhance reach of the marketplace Regulate the marketplace Certification of websites selling products

Education Consumers and business both need to be educated Enablers including courier companies, online marketplace operators need

to be better informed

Enforcement Strict action against small fish and big fish alike