IPO Pakistan begins six-month digital overhaul for IP services

KARACHI: Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan Director General Noman Aslam said the organisation has started an aggressive six-month digital transformation plan aimed at reshaping the country’s intellectual property system through automation, artificial intelligence and online complaint handling.

Speaking during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Wednesday, Aslam said the initiative is intended to make trademark, copyright and patent-related services quicker, more transparent and more business-friendly.

He said IPO Pakistan was moving away from traditional paper-based procedures and shifting towards a modern digital system. According to him, the transition is designed to cut delays, improve the quality of examination work and reduce litigation linked to trademark disputes and registration-related irregularities.

Online complaint system introduced

Aslam told members of the business community that an online complaint management system had already been launched and its details had been shared with 15 major chambers of commerce across the country.

He said the portal allows businesses to file complaints electronically and track the progress of their cases online without having to visit IPO offices in person. He also said chambers of commerce had been given representation in IPO enforcement committees.

Explaining the organisation’s role, Aslam said IPO mainly functions as a facilitating and coordinating body. He said complaints involving infringement, piracy, counterfeiting and unauthorised use are forwarded to the relevant enforcement agencies depending on the nature of the violation.

According to him, Pakistan Customs deals with piracy and border-related infringements, the Federal Investigation Agency handles copyright and related matters, while police address trademark violations and market-level offences.

Backlog and staffing concerns

Responding to concerns raised over delays and the limited size of the workforce, Aslam said fresh hiring carried out last year had helped bring down the backlog.

He added, however, that the organisation was still not satisfied with the speed of work, which had led it to move more aggressively towards technology adoption and AI-based modernisation.

Aslam said the broader objective of the reform drive was to improve service delivery for businesses and modernise the way intellectual property matters are processed and managed.

The visit to KCCI formed part of the organisation’s outreach to the business community as it rolls out the new digital measures and seeks to improve coordination on enforcement and complaint resolution.