Addis Ababa — World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) has been marked yesterday with a call for the government to give due attention for the protection of intellectual property in Ethiopia.

The day is being marked in Ethiopia for the 3rd time at the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission (ESTC) under the theme Mare Intellectual Property Your Business.

Commissioner Mulugeta Amha of ESTC said on the occasion that this year the day is being marked following the establishment of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office by the government.

Mulugeta said that the establishment of the office will have its own advantage in order to enhance intellectual property rules and to eradicate the sectors' problems.

It is a unique opportunity to mark this year's intellectual day with the establishment of the office. It is time to take immediate action for intellectual property related problem that is prevailing in the country, Mulugeta said.

He said that the day would be marked for one-week with various programmes.

Mulugeta also indicated that giving legal protection for the intellectual property is crucial in order to upgrade the sector.

More than 50 professionals drawn from various fields attended the official half-day opening of the occasion.

The patent office will be open to the public until next week in order to give information about its activities.