WIPO Academy Alumni Spotlight: Moses Range
October 7, 2022
Moses Range is an idea man who is spreading the gospel of intellectual property (IP) to support local entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in his home country, the United Republic of Tanzania. Moses is a recent graduate of the Master’s Degree in IP (MIP) jointly offered by the WIPO Academy, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. He was awarded a full scholarship for the MIP by WIPO and the Government of Japan.
An idea with a purpose
Since graduating in 2021, Moses has published a book in Swahili entitled “Mwongozo wa Ujasiriamali”, to guide local entrepreneurs and SMEs on the characteristics of entrepreneurship, and how IP can be used as a competitive advantage in the market. Moses used the results of the research he did on formal micro-enterprises and trademarks for his final dissertation during the MIP to write the book, which he published through his own company, DEMO Innovators Ltd. He published his book in print to increase access to those who do not have internet. Moses also gives lectures on the subject to supplement what he covers in the book. The first 200 copies of the book were instantly sold out at 5,000 Tanzanian Shillings / two United States Dollars per copy, highlighting the strong demand for such knowledge and skills in his community. Moses plans to print more copies and to translate the book into English and distribute it online.
The lack of education in IP was a main challenge for entrepreneurs in Tanzania who were struggling to exploit the economic potential of brand names and logos, so I decided to write and publish a book in Swahili to support and enhance the local knowledge in this subject.
Moses Range, WIPO Academy alumnus
Leading by example
Moses first studied marketing at the undergraduate level at Kampala International University in Dar es Salaam in the United Republic of Tanzania (class of 2016). He then worked at the Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA), under the Ministry of Industry and Trade for eight years before starting his company in 2018. His company, DEMO Innovators Ltd., is a SME he runs with five employees that provides advisory services to local businesses, including market trainings, industry research and event management. He filed for a trademark for his company in 2020 in an effort to apply the knowledge he gained during the MIP about the importance of IP protection.
I always dreamed of having my own company and being my own boss. Now not only do I get to do that but I also use this as an opportunity to help other entrepreneurs realize similar dreams thanks to the power and potential of IP. One of the first things I did when running my company was to trademark my company name and logo, because I want to lead by example.
Moses Range, WIPO Academy alumnus
One of his most frequent customers is the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), a local Bar association in Tanzania with over 10,000 lawyers and more than 350 law firms enlisted as part of its membership. Moses has written business proposals and strategic marketing plans to support with TLS’ operations. He enjoys writing project proposals so much that he likes to come up with ideas for proposals in his free time. Some of his ideas including a “Tanzania Trademarks Festival” with an objective of promoting IP, branding and the positioning of trademarks locally and globally by creating opportunities for business and investment development in the market; and a project to “Digitize Tanzania’s Cultural Heritage”, by documenting local traditional knowledge for future generations to promote socio-economic growth through culture.
Moses at the entrance of Africa University during his first day on campus, August 1, 2019.
(Photo: Hillary Chilomba)
Moses and his peers at the graduation ceremony of the 12th cohort of the Master’s Degree in IP jointly offered by the WIPO Academy, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, and Africa University in 2021.
(Photo: Africa University)
Moses (left) working on a group assignment with his peers during the MIP program at Africa University in 2019.
(Photo: Sibongile Phukwa)
Moses (far left) and his fellow Kenyan classmate cooking Swahili food, chapatti and roasted meat, for their MIP peers at Africa University in 2019.
(Photo: Nancy Mpiya)
Moses explaining copyright to artists and entrepreneurs from the creative industries in Tanzania at a training event in 2021.
(Photo: Moses Range)
Interested in building your IP knowledge and skills?
The WIPO Academy offers year-long opportunities for those wishing to develop their IP knowledge and skills through its Professional Development Program, Distance Learning courses, Joint Master’s Programs and WIPO Summer Schools.
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