| Pakistan joined the WTO in January 1995 and committed to abide by all the requirements of TRIPS -- including a strong protection for all intellectual property rights -- within an 11-year period. That 11-year period expired on January 1, 2006. Unfortunately, counterfeit medicines continue to be as common as they were 11 years ago. At least half of Pakistan"s population continues to take fake drugs resulting in prolonged illnesses and even death. Additionally, software piracy level is as high as it was 11 years ago and 50 per cent of tax free cigarettes sold in Pakistan continue to be an imitation of the real thing. There is a direct correlation between the level of intellectual property rights protection and foreign direct investment. This correlation is especially significant when foreign direct investment is sought into facilities that manufacture components or complete products and facilities that undertake research and development (R&D). To be certain, every creation is a creation whether it is tangible or intangible. Every creation must be protected. Every creation of the human mind has an origin. Every creation is the creator"s property. Every creator has the legal right to posses his creation. Every creator has the legal right to use his creation. Every creator has the legal right to benefit from his creation. Every creator has the legal right to profit from his creation. Every creation is a creation whether it has physical existence or not. And, every society must provide protection to every creator"s creation. |