About Intellectual Property IP Training IP Outreach IP for… IP and... IP in... Patent & Technology Information Trademark Information Industrial Design Information Geographical Indication Information Plant Variety Information (UPOV) IP Laws, Treaties & Judgements IP Resources IP Reports Patent Protection Trademark Protection Industrial Design Protection Geographical Indication Protection Plant Variety Protection (UPOV) IP Dispute Resolution IP Office Business Solutions Paying for IP Services Negotiation & Decision-Making Development Cooperation Innovation Support Public-Private Partnerships The Organization Working with WIPO Accountability Patents Trademarks Industrial Designs Geographical Indications Copyright Trade Secrets WIPO Academy Workshops & Seminars World IP Day WIPO Magazine Raising Awareness Case Studies & Success Stories IP News WIPO Awards Business Universities Indigenous Peoples Judiciaries Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions Economics Gender Equality Global Health Climate Change Competition Policy Sustainable Development Goals Enforcement Frontier Technologies Mobile Applications Sports Tourism PATENTSCOPE Patent Analytics International Patent Classification ARDI – Research for Innovation ASPI – Specialized Patent Information Global Brand Database Madrid Monitor Article 6ter Express Database Nice Classification Vienna Classification Global Design Database International Designs Bulletin Hague Express Database Locarno Classification Lisbon Express Database Global Brand Database for GIs PLUTO Plant Variety Database GENIE Database WIPO-Administered Treaties WIPO Lex - IP Laws, Treaties & Judgments WIPO Standards IP Statistics WIPO Pearl (Terminology) WIPO Publications Country IP Profiles WIPO Knowledge Center WIPO Technology Trends Global Innovation Index World Intellectual Property Report PCT – The International Patent System ePCT Budapest – The International Microorganism Deposit System Madrid – The International Trademark System eMadrid Article 6ter (armorial bearings, flags, state emblems) Hague – The International Design System eHague Lisbon – The International System of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications eLisbon UPOV PRISMA Mediation Arbitration Expert Determination Domain Name Disputes Centralized Access to Search and Examination (CASE) Digital Access Service (DAS) WIPO Pay Current Account at WIPO WIPO Assemblies Standing Committees Calendar of Meetings WIPO Official Documents Development Agenda Technical Assistance IP Training Institutions COVID-19 Support National IP Strategies Policy & Legislative Advice Cooperation Hub Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) Technology Transfer Inventor Assistance Program WIPO GREEN WIPO's Pat-INFORMED Accessible Books Consortium WIPO for Creators WIPO ALERT Member States Observers Director General Activities by Unit External Offices Job Vacancies Procurement Results & Budget Financial Reporting Oversight

African Parliamentarians Discuss IP and New Treaties

2015/04/10

A high-level meeting took place on March 25 to 27, 2015 in Kampala (Republic of Uganda), bringing together 35 African parliamentarians. The aim was to learn more about the importance of the intellectual property (IP) system and new treaties on topics from copyright to industrial and cultural development in Africa.

Parliamentarians representing member states and observer states of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) gathered for the meeting in order to become more familiar with the modern IP system and to learn more about the new Marrakesh VIP Treaty and the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances.

“For the purpose of improving IP legislation, it is indispensable to gain cooperation and support from the members of the legislative branch”, remarked Mr. Kunihiko Shimano, Director-General of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), during a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

This message was further emphasized by H.E. Major General (Retired) Kahinda Otafiire, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Government of the Republic of Uganda, and Chairman of the Ministerial Council of ARIPO, in his speech: “It is a well-known fact that no country has ever effectively developed without the use of intellectual property. Therefore, it is imperative that you as policymakers quickly adopt laws in our respective countries which will facilitate the use of intellectual property.”

The highlight of the meeting was the introduction to the Marrakesh VIP Treaty, provided by experts who themselves were visually impaired. Their passion and desire for books in accessible formats was a strong message that resonated with the audience. As the Hon. Margaret Baba Diri, Member of Parliament, Uganda succinctly put it, “Disability is not inability.

The meeting was organized by WIPO, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Uganda, ARIPO and JPO.

Useful resources

Parliamentarians with H.E. Kahinda Otafiire, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affair, Uganda (center) and Mr. Kunihiko Shimano, the Director-General of the Japan Patent Office (right)

Parliamentarians with H.E. Kahinda Otafiire, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affair, Uganda (center) and Mr. Kunihiko Shimano, the Director-General of the Japan Patent Office (right). (Photo: WIPO)

A parliamentarian from Ghana posing a question during the discussion session. (Photo: WIPO)

A parliamentarian from Ghana posing a question during the discussion session. (Photo: WIPO)

Participants during a short break. (Photo: WIPO)

Participants during a short break. (Photo: WIPO)

A parliamentarian from Swaziland comparing a genuine product and a counterfeit one. (Photo: WIPO)

A parliamentarian from Swaziland comparing a genuine product and a counterfeit one. (Photo: WIPO)

Participants talking with H.E. Kahinda Otafiire, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Uganda (Photo: WIPO)

Participants talking with H.E. Kahinda Otafiire, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Uganda (Photo: WIPO)

Ms. Beatrice Guzu, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Disability Council, giving her presentation with notes in Braille, an accessible format. (Photo: WIPO)

Ms. Beatrice Guzu, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Disability Council, giving her presentation with notes in Braille, an accessible format. (Photo: WIPO)

A parliamentarian from Gambia making a contribution to the discussion session. (Photo: WIPO)

A parliamentarian from Gambia making a contribution to the discussion session. (Photo: WIPO)