From November 6-8, 2015, CLDP convened the first substantive Working Group Meeting to update Pakistan’s IP laws in accordance with international standards.  Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO) officials and three leading Pakistani private IP attorneys comprised the Pakistani delegation. CLDP, USPTO and two DLA Piper IP attorneys comprised the US delegation.  Over the course of the two and a half day program, the participants worked on proposed amendments to the IPO Act of 2012, Trademark Ordinance, Copyright Ordinance, Patent Ordinance and Patent and Designs Ordinance that would remove inconsistencies between the IPO Act and the IP laws which are prevent IP cases from being heard in Pakistan (Phase 1 Amendments). There will be a subsequent, more comprehensive set of amendments to all five laws that will update and harmonize all laws in accordance with international standards (Phase 2 Amendments).

The participants completed proposed amendments to all five documents and agreed on a strategy for IPO and the three Pakistani IP attorneys to present the proposed amendments to and meet with key stakeholders thereafter to explain the proposed amendments.