DHAKA, July 3, 2021 (BSS) – State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid today said the government is undertaking various steps including updating the Copy Right Act to protect the Intellectual Property (IP) aiming at building a creative, talented and knowledge-based nation.

“The government is determined to uphold, nurture and protect the Intellectual Property (IP) in all branches of arts along with music. It’s undertaking various steps, including updating the Copy Right Act and forming a transparent, acceptable and effective copyright association, to this end,” he said.

The state minister came up with the statement while addressing a virtual function marking the first anniversary of the Geeti Kabi Sangha (GKS) as the chief guest, said a press release.

Khalid said most of the 17-point development proposal submitted to the Cultural Affairs Ministry by the GKS, the Singers’ Association of Bangladesh (SAB) and the Music Composers’ Society of Bangladesh (MCSB) for protecting IP, ensuring rights and the overall development of the music related personalities remains in active consideration.

Like the Bangla Academy Literary Award, ‘National Music Award’ will be launched in recognition to the special contributions towards music, he added.

Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Ministry Md Abul Monsur, Copyright Board President (additional Secretary) Shabiha Pervin and Registrar of Copyrights Office Jafar Raza Chowdhury addressed the function as special guests with GKS President Shahid Mahmud Jahangir in the chair.

SAB President Rezwana Choudhury Bannya and General Secretary Kumar Bishwajit, and MCSB President Naquib Khan and Vice-President Fuad Naser Babu also spoke at the virtual function.

Later, a cultural function was held while GKS Cultural Affairs Secretary Joy Shahriar conducted it.