Intellectual property: AfrIPI unveils four-year plan

The strategic plan was approved by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation, the African Intellectual Property Organisation, the African Union Commission, the European Commission, and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The four-year plan seeks to strengthen national and regional IP institutions and enforcement systems while promoting IP benefits to businesses and other economic actors in the pan-African region and its member states.

Its provisions aim to support the registration of geographical indications in Africa and the EU, and the development of IP guidelines for member states, among others. The project also aims to train IP examiners on international frameworks, such as The Hague Agreement. 

"The reason why cooperation is so important is that IP rights are closely related to economic well-being – in particular sustainable development, the creation of quality jobs, and balanced trading conditions," EUIPO executive director Christian Archambeau said. 

"In a globalised economy, especially with the internet bypassing physical borders, it is essential that IP rights are understood commonly and also protected." 

AfrIPI was officially launched in February to enhance the protection and promotion of IP rights in Africa, by supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as well as continental economic integration.

In doing so, AfrIPI will reinforce cooperation between Europe and Africa to implement further IP-related aspects in the free trade area, which in 2018 became the biggest of its kind in terms of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization.

AfrIPI will also pay special attention to and support African geographical indications such as Cabrito de Tete (Mozambique) and Penja Pepper (Cameroon), as they are beneficial for local communities.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has joined the 'TMclass' and 'DesignClass' after confirmation by EUIPO. The trademark classification will support Ugandan enterprises doing business internationally and in the EU. It will also help the UPRS in project identification, protection and the promotion of geographical indications, as well as acquisition, customisation and deployment of EUIPO's Front Office, Trademark Class and Design Class tools to enhance filing and classification activities.