By Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
Opposition leader, Don Polye is calling on law enforcers and the courts to apply tougher penalties on piracy in the country.
“I have learnt that a few individuals have been in the business of piracy to make money at the expense of our hardworking painters, writers, singers [and] designers among others,” said Mr Polye.
He urged law enforcers to crack down on the crime syndicate.
Polye added that he also learnt that market places and bus stops were safe havens for the sale of pirated items.
“In the Opposition’s alternative government policy, we envisage that a state agency must be immediately established to regulate and implement policies and regulations on protecting intellectual property rights, copyright and the register of patents,” said a determined Polye.
He has called on the government to carry out a review in the existing institutions, which are vested with the powers to give financial muscle to the cause.
“If or when the Opposition is in power, we believe that the protection of Papua New Guinea’s property rights on music, creative arts, technology, scientific knowledge, species of plants and animals, culture and traditions, should also be a priority.
“Discoveries of new ideas, knowledge or species by PNG’should be protected,” he said.
