Brunei firm plans to launch 'Halalpedia'

Brunei firm plans to launch 'Halalpedia'


Hadi DP Mahmud
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN



Friday, August 15, 2008


LOCAL firm Langford Media Network, which is responsible for what will be the world's first intellectual property (IP) online encyclopedia when it is launched next January, has announced plans to create a similar product catering exclusively to the halal community.

The aptly-named "Halalpedia", an online database and encyclopedia of halal brands across the globe, aims to allow the policing of valuable halal-related assets on the Internet. Its use is similar to that of "Bukapedia", which is still in the works, but is up-and-running as a mock-up at www.bukapedia.com (a username and password is required to enter).

"At first Bukapedia was supposed to be a 'general' encyclopedia but it became obvious to us once we saw what Brunei was trying to do as far as the Halal expo is concerned — so from that point on it became a very important part of the job," explained firm owner Ron Langford. When a halal brand, such as Ayamas, is found on Bukapedia, it will be repeated in the halal version.

Ron, who married Bruneian Beelian Langford last year, is a holder of significant IP assets and is the first in the world to own the right of using visual images to locate other websites.

His patents have been granted in four countries, including the US.

The couple, who plan to settle permanently in Brunei, said they will be promoting Bukapedia as a product going out of Brunei. The name "Bukapedia" is derived from the Malay word buka, which means "open".

A Malaysian web design team was hired to create the website, which features a comprehensive array of functions — from showing people (who are thinking of registering a trademark) "what they cannot copy" in terms of brand names or logos to related legal issues.

"There is nothing on the Internet now that comes close to having a dedicated site for IP," said Ron.

"We have the patent which allows us to display visual images which even Google doesn't have, so that's a major plus. The copyright alone for Bukapedia gives us the continuing sole right and the monopoly for at least the next 70 years."

He added, "Once you click on a logo, or any logo that appears in Bukapedia, you will be directed straight to the owner's website. And there's 180 countries that are part of the patent cooperation treaty complete with the details, and you will be directed to that patent and trademark office. Which means, this can save people from searching over 180 websites."

Bukapedia has been created with the endorsement of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, which has a directory of legal attorneys specialiszing in IP from all over the world.

"The other thing Bukapedia will do is, for people who want to register their trademark, they will be able to consult with this nominated law group," he said.

Langford Media Network will most likely use a Singaporean law firm that deals with IP issues as a core business function for dealing with legal matters — as there are none in Brunei which specialises in the area.

"Hopefully once we start, somebody will emerge. And then we'll do it out of Brunei because for example, Staedtler (writing instruments manufacturer) has spent US$330 million registering and maintaining their trademarks throughout the world," he said

"Now, that's just business, and it could go through Brunei. But somebody has to become experienced for that."

Ron's firm will also enlist the use of "spiders" to crawl over the Internet to monitor misuse of IP. "We will be able tell you if somebody is using the word 'Audi' for example," he said. What's next?

"We give the owners a monthly report. That will be part of Bukapedia's functions. We may be talking about a service that could cost $50 a month. They may be doing it in their own way, but they're probably spending $10,000 a month. It will be beneficial, especially for the smaller businesses."

The Brunei Times