Sri Lanka is establishing a consolidated IP policy by improving its IP ecosystem and working on various advances in this field, Ms Tharini Salwathura reports for Class 46.

The objective is to improve the enforcement of existing IP rights and promote innovation and economic growth.

In this context, trade marks can play a pivotal role, showing that Sri Lanka is concerned to promote the trademark environment for both internal and external markets.

In particular, Sri Lanka has committed to join the Madrid Protocol, aiming to develop and enhance the profit of international business and export activities.

Madrid accession

On 23 February 2020, the Sri Lankan government decided to accede to the Madrid Protocol, with the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) putting its last notes for the final ratification.

Accession to Madrid System depends on the government’s roadmap and on the gorwing needs of the market.

The government of Sri Lanka has taken several steps in recent years towards developing its IP system and policy by means of:

• Establishing IP protection tools in accordance with international best practices.
• Implementing the relevant offices and efficient IP protection structures.
• Endeavoring to promote Sri Lanka as a commercial hub in Asia by establishing a major role in the technology and economic market on a regional and international level.
• Improving the NIPO by improving and modernising its structure and recruiting new examiners for trade marks and patents to accelerate examinations and reduce backlogs.
• Signing major and important IP rights treaties, such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the WIPO Copyright Treaty, the Berne Convention for Literary and Artistic Works, and the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
• Taking part in major IP agreements.

The overall IP ecosystem in Sri Lanka has therefore improved in recent years in developing IP rights protection.

The climate for enforcing IP rights has been prioritised by spreading IP awareness, introducing the Madrid Protocol and promoting competition between brands. The implementation of the Madrid System will further promote trade and attract investment.

Tharini Salwathura is a member of United Trademark & Patent Services, Colombo, Sri Lanka, a member of MARQUES