Menkum HAM: Intellectual Property Supports Economic Independence

MEDAN - Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly said intellectual property has proven to be a catalyst for nation branding as well as being able to support a country's economic independence.

"Ahmed Bali salt, which was registered as a geographically indicated product in 2016, for example, can increase selling prices and open up ecotourism potential for Karang Asem Regency, where Ahmed's salt is from," Yasonna said in Medan, Wednesday, April 13.

Yasonna said that another example of the use of intellectual property (KI) which became Indonesia's nation branding was the use of Balinese endek fabrics by the Christian Dior fashion house at the 2021 Paris Fashion Week event.

At least from the 86 designs of Christian Dior's latest collection, he said, there are nine fashion designs that use Balinese endek fabrics.

"For the production of endek fabric, the Bali Provincial Government emphasizes that endek craftsmen on the Island of the Gods do it. On February 5, 2021, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights issued a KIK registration certificate for endek fabrics," he said.

Given the enormous benefits of IP potential to improve the national economy, Yasonna invites local government leaders and the community to explore the potential of their respective regions.

"I invite all Sumatran people to continue to explore the potential of the region, to continue to be creative, work, and innovate together to understand the importance of protecting intellectual property. Furthermore, to maintain its quality, develop it, and make it more of a high economic value so that it can be a driving force for national economic recovery," said the Minister of Law and Human Rights