Monday 18 November 2013

Caroline B Ncube

RSA: Draft National IP Policy conference to be held in November & SA supports PAIPO

According to a media statement by the Minister of Trade and Industry dated 5 November, posted on the Department of Trade and Industry's website (here) the ministry is planning a conference to discuss the draft national IP policy. This would be a welcome move and it is hoped that logistical details will be announced well in advance to enable interested parties to attend and to participate.

After months of silence on the topic, both within South Africa and beyond, this Leo's ears perked up at the mention of PAIPO in the media statement. The Minister had this to say about the subject:

'Harmonisation of Laws should take place in Africa. The Proposed Pan African Intellectual Property Office (PAIPO) is fully supported by South Africa as it will lead to IP being dealt with uniformly. We are hoping that the areas of disagreement will be ironed out soon. [I'd love to know what these areas are and the stances which countries have adopted on these issues. Pray tell.]  South Africa is seeking to use the patent related flexibilities as set out in the TRIPS agreement of WTO [does this sentence have anything to do with the previous sentences on PAIPO? If so, are there some countries that are not keen on using flexibilities?That would be a shocker].'

Caroline B Ncube

Caroline B Ncube

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