ARIPO: a hub for IP development
The foundations of Africa are built on a diverse and often turbulent history, from European colonisation to economic struggles.
Africa may not necessarily be widely known for its groundbreaking technological advancements, but it is home to some ambitious innovators and policymakers.
However, the continent’s understanding of the complex matter of IP is lacking, Fernando dos Santos, director general of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), tells WIPR.
Despite this admission, ARIPO is addressing this challenge head-on and is determined to become a hub for IP development on the continent.
To achieve this vision, the organisation realises that it must improve its own internal systems and streamline procedures to become an efficient body.
“ARIPO is increasingly becoming a reference not only in the administration of IP rights but also in advocating a better use of IP in the continent,” explains dos Santos.
“To that aim, becoming a hub means also being a centre in terms of communications technology systems, training activities and research in IP.”
He adds that IP organisations have been advocating for an approach to development that puts IP at its centre.
Dos Santos says that now governments are starting to understand this goal, the next step is to produce evidence of how IP can be incorporated into the development policies of each country.
“ARIPO can play a role in that regard and this requires more collaboration with new partners such as universities and research institutions in producing that evidence.”
To this end, ARIPO is upgrading the ARIPO Academy in Harare, Zimbabwe to work alongside universities in producing evidence to assist policymakers to create informed decisions on the use of IP for development.
Fighting counterfeits
In an effort to curb counterfeiting, ARIPO is taking part in different initiatives to raise awareness of the consequences it has on the economy, in conjunction with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Interpol and the World Customs Organization. Employment, tax collection, health, safety and even security can be compromised by the practice of counterfeiting, says dos Santos.
ARIPO and its 19 member states have organised seminars and workshops highlighting the problem.
In collaboration with WIPO, it has also facilitated ‘training of trainers’ programmes for police academies, designed to introduce IP modules and courses to help authorities better understand the topic. Tanzania, Botswana and Uganda are all now teaching IP courses in their police academies, with Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda and Gambia set to introduce them soon.
While dos Santos says these are effective techniques in curbing counterfeiting, he acknowledges that more work needs to be done.
“Vigorous campaigns to educate people about the negative impact of counterfeiting must be undertaken; border measures must be strengthened; seizure and destruction of counterfeit goods must be encouraged in many cases; and legislation must be improved.”
Training and awareness
An area of focus for ARIPO last year was to revive the organisation’s image as a hub for IP development in Africa.
This aim was largely achieved through its marketing strategy and by developing a business model outlining the use of ARIPO’s newly inaugurated premises as a centre for IP training and awareness.
“ARIPO was at the forefront of the development of the ‘Africa Copyright Agenda’ that was jointly adopted by WIPO, ARIPO, collective management organisations and copyright offices in Africa at the ARIPO headquarters in June 2017,” explains dos Santos.
“WIPO and ARIPO developed the ‘Guidelines for the Development of IP Policies for Universities and Research Institutions in Africa’, which will guide African higher learning and research institutions in the development of their internal IP policies.”
IP figures
When it comes to the number of patent applications filed, the figure has been relatively steady from 2013 to 2017.
Last year, there were 747 applications, up from 697 in 2016. However, the 2017 figure represents a decline on 2015 (780) and 2014 (835).
Industrial design filings from 2013 to 2017 went through a more significant change. There were only 91 for 2017, compared to 219 in 2013, although the 2017 figure is an increase on the 83 reported in 2016.
At 381, the number of trademarks filed in 2017 reached a new peak compared to the previous four years: 296 in 2016; 283 in 2015; 362 in 2014; and 321 in 2013.
Development is key
A main challenge for ARIPO moving forward will be helping decision-makers understand how IP can help with the continent’s development.
According to dos Santos, IP has been neglected and excluded from the member countries’ main development policies.
“Governments seem to be in a hurry to tackle issues related to hunger, failing polices in agriculture, and lack of innovation,” he says.
“Unfortunately, in many situations they are focusing on the symptoms instead of dealing with the root causes of the lack of creativity and innovation in Africa, which are deeply linked to the low uptake of the IP system in the continent over many years.”
