Entertainment group wants IP chief fired

Sutisak Pasarnkarukarn, secretary-general of the association for the prevention and suppression of private sector intellectual property infringement, said that private enterprises were dissatisfied with Banyong's suitability for the position.

The group sent a request to the Commerce Ministry permanent secretary, Siripol Yodmuangcharoen yesterday asking for Banyon to be relieved of his responsibilities. They also sent copies to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan, and other senior officials.

 Siripol said that the ministry would listen to everyone involved before responding. In the letter, the group accused Banyong of making decisions concerning intellectual property rights on his own without consulting anyone and without taking into account the rights of private enterprises, resulting in huge losses for companies.  For example, Banyong had not allowed representatives of copyright owners to sit on the copyright committee, but instead allowed others who had conflict of interest to sit on it.

 Banyong was not available for comment on this matter.