11 Sep 2019

 Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) registrar general, Mr Paul Masena says a lot need to be done to create awareness on how intellectual property can be used to secure the economic value of products created in Botswana.

Speaking during World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) regional seminar on Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for selected African countries, Mr Masena said Botswana’s intellectual property landscape was still developing and characterised by low awareness levels resulting in low Intellectual Property filings, particularly patents.

He said a recent awareness survey conducted by CIPA placed the overall awareness index for intellectual property services in Botswana at 46 per cent.

Mr Masena explained that in direct response to the low awareness on IP services, CIPA had prioritised IP awareness initiatives in its strategic plan since 2018/19 financial year.

He said the decision was consistent with the national vision 2036, which challenged Botswana to move from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.

He stated that IP was an undeniable the foundation upon which Botswana would succeed in building the much needed knowledge-based economy.

Mr Masena indicated that Botswana had over the years reformed its intellectual property laws with the assistance of WIPO.

He said the reforms were brought about by the need to meet international IP standards and to offer adequate protection for both local and foreign applicants for IP services.

He mentioned that as part of the reforms, Botswana acceded to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in October 30, 2003, to enable filing and processing of an international patent application.

He said since Botswana’s accession to the PCT until August 21, 2019, a total of 282 applicants had been received through the PCT system.

He said the PCT had a lot of advantages, and that the current Intellectual Property Act had provisions allowing for the processing of applicants and allowed local researchers and investors to seek patent protection in international markets.

Mr Masena mentioned that CIPA continued to receive few patent applications from locals as compared to foreign applicants.

He said it was due to lack of capacity on patent drafting by local Academic and Research institutions.

He nevertheless pointed out that to close the gap, there were a number of initiatives they have embarked upon, among them the development of Intellectual Property Policy and the digitisation of IP records.

Mr Masena said the three-day seminar would play a crucial role in building capacity on patent issues and on the PCT system in light of the benefits that researchers, investors and other users could gain using the system.

For his part the representative of Japan Patent Office, Mr Shingo Tsuda expressed gratitude to the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation, CIPA and WIPO for organising the seminar.

He said the regional seminar was organised with financial contribution by the Government of Japan through WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust.

He mentioned that WIPO and Japan started the Funds-in-Trust for Africa in 2008, saying for over ten years, WIPO and Japan had been working together to provide a wide range of cooperation to African countries.

Mr Tsuda mentioned that Japan cooperation activities included training of IP office personnel, digitization of IP application files, branding of local products, and support to SMEs and startups for promoting innovation in Africa.

Meanwhile, Mr Tsuda hailed Africa as a continent with many strengths, such as, rich nature, abundant resources, and positive thinking people who could move forward with passion.

He stated that Africa had diverse needs arising from its unique environment, which was also a strength.

He said connecting the diverse needs with technology would lead to innovation creation, which was crucial for the autonomous and sustainable economic development of African countries.

Mr Tsuda pointed out that Japan would continue to support Africa to achieve its goal, saying in the borderless business world of today, it was often necessary to acquire patents in multiple countries.

He said PCT was gaining more popularity as a convenient tool.   The seminar was attended by representatives of WIPO from Geneva, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Japan and Malawi. ENDs