The World Intellectual Property  (IP) Day is observed every year on 26 April across the globe with specific annual themes. The event offers a unique opportunity to join with others around the world to reflect on how IP contributes to innovation in business, flourishing of the arts and driving the technological growth in our world. 

To mark the day, the Department of Intellectual Property launched new videos to create awareness on different IPs, CRBT ringtone on IP for B-mobile and Tashi Cell and awarded certificates and cash prizes to the top three winners of the annual National Trademark Competition. The winners of the National Trademark Competition are the following:

1. Chechay (Sanitary pads and accessories), 
2. Laykha (Diary products)
3. Kingdom Essence (ointments and balm).

The National Trademark Award was introduced in 2018 to recognize the role and significance of the trademark in promoting business and building recognizable brand through improvement and maintenance of the quality of products in the markets. Through such IP awards, we expect our local businesses to understand the importance of creating, protecting and utilizing their Trademarks.

Today’s event in Bhutan is one among more than hundreds of such celebrations in different countries around the world. This year’s global theme for the World IP Day celebration is “IP & SMEs: Taking your ideas to market,” which was chosen mainly because globally statistics shows that 90% of businesses are SMEs as in the case of our country’s share of Cottage and Small Industries. 

SMEs can use IPs to build stronger and competitive businesses by incorporating new designs and packaging, creating distinctive trademarks, using valuable literary and artistic works and adopting appropriate technologies. On the whole, with IPs business can create value, communities can thrive and national economies can prosper. The hon’ble Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs graced the event as the Chief Guest.