WIPO organized the National Training Program on the Enforcement of Intellectual Property in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on October 6 and 7, 2026, in cooperation with the Department of Patent, Industrial Design, and Trademarks (DPDT), Ministry of Industry, Bangladesh, and with support from the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global and the Funds-In-Trust Japan Copyright, bringing together judiciary members and law enforcement professionals to strengthen their capabilities in intellectual property enforcement.
The workshop brought together approximately 50 participants, including members of the judiciary, prosecutors, police officers, customs officials, and other relevant national stakeholders, and aimed to strengthen the institutional and human capacities of key stakeholders involved in IP enforcement. Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on legal, judicial, and operational approaches to support Bangladesh's efforts to develop an effective and sustainable IP enforcement environment.
Key Program highlights
The opening ceremony highlighted the importance of cooperation and coordination within and among enforcement agencies and private sectors, at both the national and international levels. It also emphasized the value of practical, needs-based capacity-building in supporting effective IP enforcement.
The program covered diverse topics including criminal and civil remedies, investigation techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, border measures, digital and financial investigations, market surveillance, and public-private cooperation. These sessions were led by experts from Thailand's Central IP and International Trade Court, INTERPOL, and the World Customs Organization, offering both international and national perspectives alongside relevant case studies.
Representatives from Japan provided valuable insights into combating IP infringement in the digital age. The Japan Patent Office presented on IP infringement in the digital environment from a global perspective, counterfeit enforcement efforts in Japan, and strategies for addressing counterfeits on e-commerce platforms. The Japan External Trade Organization highlighted the role of public-private collaboration in combating counterfeiting and piracy, introducing the International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF) as a model example of effective cooperation between the private and public sectors. These sessions, along with contributions from the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development of Viet Nam and relevant Bangladeshi institutions, underscored the value of coordinated enforcement and operational exchanges in addressing evolving IP enforcement challenges.
A standout feature of the program was the hands-on product-identification training session with exhibition held on the final day, featuring representatives from five Japanese companies. The session featured practical authentication methods and indicators for distinguishing genuine from counterfeit products, providing participants with immediately applicable skills while facilitating direct exchanges between enforcement officials and rights holders.
The emphasis on practical knowledge exchange and real-life experiences ensures that participants are better equipped to combat IP crimes effectively and contribute to a sustainable IP enforcement ecosystem in Bangladesh.