Three-year IP strategy adopted

On September 7 2009 the Macedonian government adopted the National Strategy for Intellectual Property 2009-2012. The government also approved an action plan for the implementation of the national strategy.

After meeting with Safet Emruli, the director of the Intellectual Property Office of Macedonia, Fatmir Besimi, Macedonia’s economy minister, stated as follows:

“The strategy is significant to the improvement of Macedonia’s economy from the point of view of IP rights and competitiveness, and will thus assist in the improvement of product quality and the protection of consumer rights.”

It is expected that the national strategy will stimulate foreign direct investments and entrepreneurship in Macedonia.

It is also hoped that the national strategy will improve efficiency in the fight against piracy and counterfeiting. According to Emruli, the national strategy will support the government’s policies for the eradication of piracy and counterfeiting. Counterfeiting has had a negative impact on Macedonia's economy, the revenues of the state and public health, and also represents an obstacle to foreign investments.