Conclusion of the IP and Branding Strategy for Chobe Baskets Project
March 1, 2023
WIPO organized the launch event of the Chobe basket collective mark at Kasane in Botswana on November 18, 2022, with cooperation of Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global.
WIPO, with support from the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global), began the IP and Branding Strategy for Chobe Baskets Project in 2019, with the aim of supporting basket producers in the Chobe community of Kasane to brand their products using IP tools. It was also aimed at building the capacity of stakholders in order to assist them in enhancing the value and quality of said brands, increase their revenue as a result, and thereby improve their livelihoods.
The collective mark was successfully registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) in Botswana by the umbrella cooperative “Chobe Basket Weavers Cooperative Union Ltd.” in 2021. The conclusion of the project, however, with a final seminar and launch event for the Chobe basket collective mark could not take place in 2021 due to travel restrictions imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic.
During the pandemic period, Mr. Bathusi Lesolobe, the local expert who was commissioned by WIPO to locally manage the project from its inception, held consultations with members of the Chobe basket collective mark and potential users of the collective mark to raise awareness and build their capacity towards trading under the name of the collective mark. WIPO supported the preparation and conduct of the awareness raising and capacity building activities, including the provision of tags and brochures.
As the restrictions were finally lifted in 2022, WIPO organized, in collaboration with the Botswana Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), the official project hand over and launch of the collective mark event at Kasane on November 18, 2022. The Botswana Minister for Entrepreneurship, Mr. Karabo S. Gare, delivered opening remarks and officially launched the Chobe basket collective mark. Also in attendance were the Registrar General of CIPA, Mr. Conductor Paul Masena and CIPA senior officials, Tourism development agency representatives as well as members of the District Cooperatives Department. Mr. Kunihiko YOSHIDA, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Botswana, also participated the event and delivered a speech.
In addition to the 30 members of the weavers association owners of the Chobe basket collective mark, some over 80-basket weavers from the Chobe District and surrounding communities attended the launch. Most of the attending nonmembers of the Chobe basket collective mark requested that similar exercise be carried out to build their capacity to improve the quality of their baskets in order to increase their revenue.
Branding projects
Through the branding projects, WIPO assists manufacturers to acquire the IP rights to brand their products. The projects also aim at enhancing the brand value through improving the quality and the brand image. FIT Japan IP Global financially supports the branding projects.
Please visit our website "Weaving a Way Forward" to find out the success story of women in Kenya's basket weaving community.