12 Jun 2016

The acting deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Rosinah Bontsi says Botswana should recognise the importance of creators, artists and innovators.

Giving a keynote address at the World Intellectual Property Day in Gaborone, she said the day was an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that intellectual property had in the economy.

Botswana musicians, poets, creative artists and researchers gathered at Limkokwing University to celebrate the day and they also engaged in a panel discussion to discuss and share their experiences in the industry.

She highlighted that Botswana had celebrated the day for the past five years, adding that the country would continue commemorating the day to raise awareness on intellectual property.

She said this year’s theme: “celebrating culture in the digital age,” recognises the importance of digital technology and  how property was created, packaged and shared.

Ms Bontsi said due to digital technology Botswana music was able to be played internationally and enabled local artistes to win international awards.

The deputy permanent secretary said people should reflect on the role consumers played on copyright, and how consumers disadvantaged intellectual property and how they could contribute to the growth of intellectual property.

She said through digital innovation, the public was able to listen to music, watch movies online and even share media digitally. owever, she noted that digital technology could also cripple creativity as some people may download and sell fake material thus benefitting from other people’s property.

“Creators should commercialise their intellectual property and sell it to consumers instead of burying it.” The director in the Department of Research, Science and Technology, Ms Lesego Motoma said intellectual property existed in universities and technical centres, adding that citizens should be empowered to conduct research.

She said there was need for Batswana to protect their property so that they could enjoy their products and patents.

Ms Motoma said in this technological globe, a country’s success was measured by its intellectual property hence challenged Batswana to be creative and patent their work.

She stated that companies should encourage their employees to conduct research and contribute to the economy. ENDS