EU-backed African IP project officially launches
A new EU-funded cooperation project to create, protect and promote intellectual property rights across Africa has officially been launched.
The Africa Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation Project (AfrIPI) brings together African governments, regional IP organisations, academia and private sector entities to facilitate intra-African trade and investment through IPR.
AfrIPI is funded and directed by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The five-year project was officially launched during the Africa Regional IP Organisation Diplomatic Conference in Kampala, Uganda last week.
Dennis Scheirs, AfrIPI project leader said: “AfrIPI is a major step in enhancing IP rights in Africa. Thanks to this initiative, businesses, producers and citizens will benefit from stronger protection leading to higher salaries, economic growth and a safer investment landscape in Africa.”
Prior achievements
AfrIPI began operations in 2020 prior to its official launch and will run until 2025. So far it has helped develop examination guidelines for trademarks and designs for the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) and common guidelines on trademarks for the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO).
The project was also involved in preparing the ARIPO Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights, which was successfully signed at the Kampala Diplomatic Conference.
Ignacio de Medrano Caballero, head of the EUIPO’s international cooperation service said: “[AfrIPI] is by far our most ambitious IP cooperation project worldwide. It seeks to unleash trade, economic growth, creativity, and continental cooperation.
“The EU praises the African Union Commission and the IP regional organisations ARIPO and OAPI for their commitment to enhance and protect intellectual property rights in Africa. Together, we will boost intellectual property systems and make the most of African capabilities.”
‘Huge potential’ of GIs
Prior to its official launch, the AfrIPI team has already supported an application for a geographical indication (GI) of the Cameroonian ‘Penja Pepper’, which would grant the country IP protections over the peppercorn.
It registered the Tete Goat (Cabrito de Tete) GI in Mozambique with the support of the World Intellectual Property Office.
Scheirs added: “[AfrIPI] is not only a question of protecting patents, trademarks and registered designs, but also other intellectual property rights such as geographical indications which have a huge potential in Africa.”
