Researchers advised to patent invention

Researchers advised to patent invention

CIBINONG, West Java (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno called
on researchers to register their inventions with the Ministry of
Justice.

There was a lack of knowledge about the need to patent
inventions, Try said during an address at a meeting of the
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

People try to copy the others' invention without realizing
that they violate laws on intellectual property rights, he
said.

According to Try, the Indonesian public did not understand the
importance of research and that it was part of LIPI's
responsibilities to address the matter.

He advised LIPI, which directly answers to the President, to
improve its efficiency and make the best use of its limited
budget.

Try was inaugurating the Widyasatwaloka Research and
Development Center for Biology in Cibinong, about 30 kilometers
southeast of Jakarta.

The opening of the 8,000 square meters building marked the
completion of the Biodiversity Conservation Project, which cost
2.3 billion yen (about US$20 million).

The project is spread over several sites: the Widyasatwaloka
center and Biodiversity Information Center in Cibinong; the
Gunung Halimun National Park Headquarters and Research Station in
the national park; and the Nature Conservation Information Center
in Bogor.

The Biodiversity Conservation Program is a cooperative between
Indonesia, Japan and the United States.

The biodiversity program is supported by the Japanese
government, through JICA, and the Directorate General of Forest
Protection and Nature Conservation of the Ministry of Forestry.

The idea behind the project is to develop facilities, provide
technical expertise, training and research materials.

Agreement on the cooperative was reached between former prime
minister of Japan, Miyazawa, and former president of the United
States George Bush in April 1992.

The leaders wanted to provide aid for developing countries in
terms of management of biodiversity. Indonesia was selected as
the first country to receive such aid.

JICA team leader, S. Takahashi, who is in charge of technical
cooperation, said: "Indonesia was selected because it is very
rich in biodiversity and fits Japan's intention to support
developing countries.

The head of LIPI, Sofjan Tsauri, said: "We hope to eventually
create a life sciences center here." (40)