The National Intellectual Property Strategy( NIPS) 2017- 2021 announced by IPO has tried to address some of the Problems and scarcities which have been in actuality in the IP governance in Pakistan. For illustration, the Strategy has mentioned that a legislative adjustment in some areas is required. even so, the readjustment isn't to convert the legislation into symmetry with international norms, it's so that legislation can hold ‘ balance ’ and ‘ consonance ’ with the IPO Act, of 2012. To attain that, the Strategy felt mandatory that Rules under Industrial Design Ordinance, 2000 and the Integrated Circuits and Layout Designs Ordinance, 2000 should be phrased. supposedly, the Strategy has tacitly recognized that the legislative frame is acceptable as has neither stated nor expressed a need for reform of governing instruments( IPO has lately prepared drafts of brand and patent laws which will be submitted to the council. It isn't clear how governing instruments aren't ‘ synchronized ’ with the IPO Act and it is not explained by the Strategy moreover. still, the Strategy does state that due to rapid-fire technological advancements and the digital revolution, there are numerous further ways available in which copyrighted work may be reproduced – a commodity not provisioned or mentioned in the crucial legislation governing imprints. The Strategy states that this issue, along with the issue of lapping vittles and anomalies present in the being legislation on trademarks, imprints, and designs, will be resolved via emendations.

The Collaboration Proposed Under the ‘Common Interests Initiative

In the wake of the ongoing situation, it's mandatory that both China and Pakistan take visionary measures for their common interests in relation to intellectual property. As adverted over, the Strategy has formerly recognized some of the scarcities and has offered some steps to alleviate the situation. still, that's a one-sided venture upon which only the Pakistani side can embark on. additionally, there's no peculiar provision in the Strategy that vehemently deals with CPEC. thus, the two countries need to address the problem of intellectual property together. This will improve the ‘ win-win ’ flavor of CPEC and the Belt and Road initiative.

 There are five crucial areas related to intellectual property in which both sides have participated stakes. These include:

1.       Legislative protection;

2.       Enforcement;

3.       International compliance;

4.       Imitation; and

5.       Infringement.

 It's for the advantage of both sides that intellectual properties are offered satisfactory and sufficient legislative protection. thus, the legislative infrastructure, which is the backbone of IP governance, should be strong, robust, and adaptable all at the same time. Strength shouldn't rephrase into inflexibility. The tremendous rapidness of improvement in the digital age and the cyber world is incomparable and only anticipated to increase in the future. thus, a degree of flexibility in the legislative infrastructure will enable the current system to evolve and adjust easily according to arising requirements. therefore, a strong legislative frame will profit both countries.

  The protection offered by legislation to intellectual properties in Pakistan is commonly acceptable. There are only veritably many loopholes and anomalies which generally don't affect in veritably big gaps or poverties. still, what's generally lacking is acceptable and proper enforcement. The enforcement medium for all IPs in Pakistan is veritably weak and the enforcement itself is brittle and scarce. The IPO Act, 2012 was a appreciative step which intended to enhance the enforcement situation of intellectual property rights in Pakistan. The courts are also empowered but they're still not satisfactorily and sufficiently equipped to deal with the intimidating situation which prevails in Pakistan. likewise, enforcement goes beyond the bare handing down of judgments and involves executive measures. thus, strong, timely and nippy enforcement will check numerous of the problems anguishing the current IPR governance. A strong enforcement is in the common interests of both China and Pakistan.

China’s accession to the World Trade Organization( WTO) and the Agreement on Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights( TRIPS Agreement) was a long process and needed numerous reforms in the country. China had felt it necessary to integrate itself in the global intellectual property order to reap some of the benefits of trade and strengthen its frugality. China has taken numerous way to illustrate its desire to comply with the international scores. TRIPS has put down the minimal norms and scores which are the identical for all WTO member countries under the convention. This increases uniformity and certainty when nations trade intellectual property goods.

 TRIPS is one of the numerous international instruments which lays down obligations on member countries in the environment of IPRs. The international infrastructure of alliances and various instruments has tried to address distinctive issues which have surfaced in different times. The digital age has given birth to authentically new questions which appertain to IPRs. International bodies like the WTO and World Intellectual Property Organization( WIPO) are stages that assist states to achieve some degree of harmony in the realization and recognition of these changes.

 The National Intellectual Property Strategy( NIPS) has similarly addressed this issue in its Strategic Objective 2, where it says that IPO will consider consenting to international instruments containing the Madrid Protocol for the international registry of trademarks, the Marrakesh Treaty for visually impaired persons, the WIPO Copyright Treaty, the WIPO Performance, and Phonograms Treaty( Internet Treaties) and the Patent Cooperation Treaty( PCT) for an international registry of patents and the Beijing Treaty on audiovisual performances. Compliance with international instruments not only creates unity but also improves the image of the nations. In the environment of IPs and CPEC, compliance with international obligations is salutary for both China and Pakistan and amplified compliance will further advantage the two countries.

 The imitative capability of a country can be advantageous for it, though it's innately an ability that the investors remonstrate. Imitative ability is offset by the strong protection of IPRs. In the environment of CPEC, both China and Pakistan would profit if the imitative capability of the host country is at its minimum. China, being the investor, would clearly profit from it. It may sound counter-intuitive that Pakistan would also profit from it but an assured operation and reduction of imitative capability will encourage China to invest with confidence and catalyze the systems of CPEC, thereby attracting further investment. also, this should be taken by Pakistan as an occasion to bolster its innovative capability supported by a strong IPR governance, which should displace the imitative capability that prospers under a weak IPR governance.

 Pakistan’s economy suffers grandly because of the wide violation of IPRs. The dilemma of violation has legal, social, political, and educational angles. This is, by far, the biggest challenge that IPO will have to face and presumably the hardest to check. The problem is so deeply embedded in society that radical re-education is required to address it. Many people are ignorant of the conception of IPRs and to add personality to injury, numerous people don't regard an infringing act as constituting a violation. Strict enforcement by the courts and other institutions solves only half the problem. though, steps should be taken instantly to address the problem. A full-scale evaluation of the problem along with suggested results should be examined by IPO. moreover, assignments from states that have successfully combated the imminence of IPR violations should be used for guidance. China has made histrionic progress in this area so it'll be a great time to bring China to the table and seek its counsel over the affair. all in all, the lower the infringements, the better it's for both Pakistan and China.

 The factors linked above may affect both nations in a direct way and any rise or drop in them might influence CPEC concurrently. moreover, a scheme is also outlined above showing the direction in which the factors should move. In extension, there are five factors that can benefit both nations collectively. They are :

·         Tariff jumping or reduced tariffs,

·         Free zones,

·         Knowledge spillovers,

·         Technology transfer, and

·         Innovative ability.

 Reduced tariffs can profit China and will encourage Chinese investors to invest in Pakistan. This is one of the factors that international enterprises( MNEs) consider before determining to invest in a country and is a pivotal element of the general business terrain of a country. In the environment of CPEC, China can be the major beneficiary of tariff jumping or reduced tariffs. Free Economic Zones( FEZs) are established by countries to encourage economic exercise because similar zones are either taxed lightly or don’t have taxes levied on them at all. enterprises see this as a major incitement as levies can play a significant part in their economic activities. numerous countries, including the UAE, have deduced significant benefits from the establishment of similar zones. CPEC includes the establishment of similar zones in Pakistan. This will increase the business and profitable conditioning in the country, although it'll profit China more.

 Knowledge spillovers and technology transfers are often obligations of Foreign Direct Investment( FDI). Pakistan should concentrate to benefit from the knowledge spillovers as extensively as possible and should maximize such spillovers. Technology transfer is practicable if a favorable IP terrain is present in a country. China’s gradational rise is frequently attributed to technology transfer, which China has exploited using its large manufacturing base along with imitative ability. Technology transfer and knowledge spill- over’s, in the environment of CPEC, will profit Pakistan substantially. This should be accompanied by Pakistan seeking to enhance its innovative capability. In the hyperactive cyber world, the invention is the new trend and it isn't only recognized but also awarded. thus, Pakistan should take measures in all situations to increase its ingenuousness. In the environment of CPEC, ingeniousness will benefit Pakistan more