TANZANIA: Effective intellectual property policies on drawing board-JK

BY SYLIVESTER DOMASA.

Tanzania plans to put in place effective intellectual property (IP) policies and related laws to promote socio-economic growth and development of the nation.

This was revealed in Dar es Salaam yesterday by President Jakaya Kikwete at the opening of a two-day African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness.

The conference was organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Japan Patent Office in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It brought together over twenty ministers, experts and senior government representatives from various African countries.

The President said the country has already formulated its National IP Strategy and that the government is now in the process of formulating the IP policy.

“…once the IP policy is in place and fully implemented, it will assist producers of industrial and agricultural products to compete effectively in the local, regional and global market place…,” said the President and explained that the global market requires service and product manufacturers to adhere to the international standards of quality that the policy will secure.

Elaborating, he made clear that when products are identified with trademarks they are distinguish from similar products of competitors, allowing customers to differentiate them and select according to individual preference. This invites competitiveness that in turn increases quality accountability, he added.

President Kikwete asserted that the appropriate IP policies and laws coupled with an effective education system, availability of financial resources to pursue technological development and the presence of a network of supporting institutions and legal structures will deliver the desired results and benefits.

That being the case, it is the presidents well informed opinion that leveraging and protecting intellectual property such as patents, copyrights and other similar forms of product identification is a key factor to promoting socio-economic growth and development of nations.

According to him, IP encourages innovation, invention and development of new technologies. It promotes both domestic and foreign investment, facilitates technology transfer and increases agricultural and industrial production.

At which point the President discredited arguments that IP can somehow  limit technology transfer as it would limit the type and amount that is allowed into the country as well as raising prices because of the extra cost of standardising the products. “…from the developed countries we observe the dynamics of IP and their inevitable drive of national development in the global arena… many developing countries are increasingly becoming aware of its importance…,” and with that, the president urged other attending member states to increase steps towards embracing, anchoring and nurturing of IP.

He called on the international community to go beyond IP policies and to rather support and embrace related matters and sectors to integrate the IP policies with development policies.

In line with the President’s vision, the University of Dar es Salaam in collaboration with Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and the African Regional Industrial Property Organisation (ARIPO) are soon expected to sign a pact to co-launch a master’s degree programme in IP.

Francis Gurry, Director General of WIPO seconding the President’s view asserted that the adaptation of IP will help the society manage various challenges such as shortage of food through innovative strategies to increase agricultural productivity.

“…IP is an indispensable part of a healthy system that captures the value of innovation…,” he said.

Alberic Kacou, UN Resident Coordinator for Tanzania had the following to say over the issue:

 “…in the context of Tanzania, IP is especially relevant to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) growth and they are the backbone of commerce….”

 “…market stability for the SMEs depends on competitiveness…this can be achieved if and when SMEs effectively adopt intellectual property…,” he concluded.

 SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (13/03/2013): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=52268