Namibia: New Industrial property Bill to be passed by end of Year

AllAfrica's Brigitte Weidlich reports that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is pushing for the Industrial property bill to be passed by end of the year. This bill will provide protection for trademarks, patents and industrial designs.

According to Mr. Edward Kamboua the Director of commerce, the new law is important as the existing legislation was set in colonial times and times have changed. According to him it has therefore become necessary to change the laws due to changes in the Economy and imperatives of Namibia's membership in the WTO. According to him, "The bill makes Namibia compatible with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) treaties, conventions and protocols that Namibia has signed."

The bill will provide for the registration and administration of intellectual property such as establishment of an Intellectual Property Office, and a Tribunal as well as standards that must be met by agents handling these matters.