Policy to govern intellectual property on the horizon

The Intellectual property organization prepares a 10 year policy and strategy aimed to promote and increase the use of IP in areas where Ethiopia has comparative and competitive advantage.
“This policy provides us with the much needed framework which lets us know the needs of the country, and thus we will effectively render our support by knowing what technical assistance to give to stakeholders in the country,” stated Loretta Asiedu, representative to the World Intellectual Property Organization which is known for bringing stakeholders together to develop global IP agreements.
The national intellectual property policy and strategy/NIPPS/ will be implemented over a ten-year period beginning from the date of its approval. The national IP policy is also viewed to be very dynamic.
“The NIPPS implementation will require the involvement and participation of a number of public and private bodies,” said Ermias Yemanebirhan, Director General, Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority, adding, “Each of these bodies is expected to take measures envisaged in the policy.”
“This draft policy is intended to provide a framework for integrating intellectual property into national and sectoral development policies and strategies, helping to ensure the formation of a development-oriented IP system, trying to encourage the use of IP as a strategic instrument, and fostering the monitoring and evaluation of the IP system’s impact,” said the Director General.
According to the draft, the key institution that will oversee the implementation and coordination of the relevant public and private bodies will be the National IP Council.
According to the draft, the National IP Council will be headed by the Deputy Prime Minster and will consist of top government officials and leaders of private institutions.
When approved the policy is also expected to review and amend existing laws dealing with intellectual property enforcement and provide an adequate, uniform and effective procedures and remedies against infringement of intellectual property rights having regard the Provisions of Part III of the Agreement on Trade related Aspects of Intellectual Property.