Dili – U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste Karen Stanton gave opening remarks at the inaugural Timor-Leste Trademark Dialogue on December 1 at Timor Plaza. Hosted by the International Trademark Association (INTA), the one-day workshop included officials from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Police (PNTL) as well as local business and legal experts. The event is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the protection of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets – collectively referred to as “intellectual property” rights (IPR) – in Timor-Leste.
“If Timor-Leste shows its commitment to protecting IPR, foreign companies would be more likely to invest in Timor-Leste,” said Ambassador Stanton. “If Timor-Leste becomes a leader in IPR protection, it stands to benefit from greater economic growth and higher paying jobs. It is also worth noting that as Timor-Leste looks toward ASEAN accession, it should implement IPR policy that is in line with its ASEAN neighbors.”
The Trademark Dialogue – entitled “Supporting Consumer Confidence, Economic Growth and Innovation” – explored recent research on the value of trademark-intensive industries and the negative economic impact of counterfeit products, including losses in legitimate sales, tax revenue, and job opportunities. The United States is working closely with the Timor-Leste government, the INTA, and other partners to establish a trademark office, improve regulation, and develop additional local initiatives to protect consumers and brands.
More information about the INTA is available at www.inta.org. The United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) leads U.S. government efforts to develop and strengthen both domestic and international intellectual property protection. Learn more about the USPTO at www.uspto.gov/intellectual-property-ip-policy.
