The Department of Intellectual Property (DoIP), Ministry of Economic Affairs conducted an awareness program on intellectual propertyfor the faculties and trainees of the Institute of Zorig Chusum in Trashi Yangtse on October 9, 2017 and the Technical Training Institute in Rangjung, Trashigang on October 11, 2017. The objective of the awareness workshop is tocreate a basic understanding on intellectual property rights in line with the Industrial Property Act and the Copyright Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2001. These two intellectual property legislationsprovide the necessary provisions on the protection of new inventions, designs, trademarks, service marks, copyright works and their enforcements. Accordingly, the participants were sensitized on the importance of intellectual property registrations, which is a prerequisite condition in obtaining rights over any new creations or innovations.

The program stressed the benefit of intellectual property system to spur innovation and creativity for competitive edge in the market. The program provided an opportunity for information and knowledge sharing to assist the participants to take advantage of intellectual property system and to apply it in their day-to-day businesses. TheDoIP officials made presentations on all intellectual property subject matters through case examples. For instance, use of distinctive signs as trademark to promote products and services with better qualities, innovative designs of products, andselling ofintellectual property rights to others through licensing and assignment for additional income.

During the program, short audiovisual spots on intellectual property were screened and brochures were distributed. A total of 145 participants attended the program at the Institute of Zorig Chusum in Trashi Yangtse and 135 participants attended the program at the Rangjung Technical Training Institute, Trashigang.