Press Release Nº 156/2015

Office of the Legal Counsel coordinate joint African Union Commission – Loyola University Chicago training workshop on intellectual property rights in Africa.

Addis Ababa, 10 July 2015 - Professor Vincent O. Nmehielle, The Legal Counsel of the African Union Commission received Professors Giulio C. Zanetti and Laurent Manderieux at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa on Monday, 6th July, 2015 for a week long training workshop titled ‘Intellectual Property in Practice: a Focus on Africa.’

The workshop was designed pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the African Union Commission and Loyola University Chicago towards capacity building within the African Union (AU), its organs, Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

The training workshop on Intellectual Property (IP) was specially designed to provide its participants with, among others, a hands-on approach to the various IP rights that are relevant for African countries, including trademarks; patents and access to lifesaving drugs; copyrights; industrial designs; traditional knowledge and cultural heritage

The training workshop was conducted under the following schedule:

On day one of the workshop, Professor Nmehielle welcomed the experts from Loyola University Chicago and gave participants a broad overview of what they are to expect from the programme. Prof. Giulio C. Zanetti commenced with an introduction to intellectual property (IP) including the types of IP rights, with specific focus on trademarks.

Day two continued with the module on trademarks with a focus on geographical indications and well-known marks, as well as the various protection routes.

On day three, both Prof. Zanetti and Prof. Manderieux jointly delivered the module on patents and access to pharmaceutical products, with specific discussions on how African countries can gain access to lifesaving drugs registered as patents, using compulsory licensing.

On day four, the workshop focused on industrial design as an IP right – its characteristics, applicability and the various ways that Africans can protect their creativity and design. The other half of the day focused on traditional knowledge as an IP right and the importance of protecting African traditional knowledge from exploitation by multinational corporations in developed countries.

Day five marked the final day of the training workshop and commenced with a broad overview of copyright delivered by Prof. Manderieux, including the notion, functions, exceptions and limitations of copyright and the modes of protection of African literal, artistic and musical works.

At the end of the workshop, participants were asked to complete a self-assessment questionnaire on the knowledge acquired from the training as well as an evaluation of the training instructors.

Generally, participants were able to:

1. Describe the strategic and commercial importance of intellectual property (IP) in today’s economy and in particular, its impact on African countries;

2. Identify the various fields of IP and when they are applicable;

3. List the main characteristics of IP and the exclusive rights conferred by each type of IP and apply the main principles of the provisions concerned;

4. Indicate the main routes through which protection of IP rights may be obtained and the main registration systems;

5. Link their IP knowledge with the existing policies of the African Union.

At the closing ceremony on Friday, 10 July 2015, the Legal Counsel thanked Loyola University Chicago for organizing the workshop and commented on the growing relationship between the AUC and the University. He also gave a special acknowledgement to the consulting experts for a job well-done in delivering the training and congratulated the participants for successful completion. He once again highlighted the importance of IPR for the growing Africa continent, most especially in the areas of trade and industry, social affairs and pharmaceutical.

Finally, the Participants were presented with a certificate for successful completion of training workshop.

Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission

Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia