Ethiopia is one of the ancient nations in the world. As such, it has its own peculiar culture, art, custom and way of life. Obelisks, palaces, manuscripts, coins, paintings, jewelries and other artifacts throw light on the magnitude of its cultural wealth. However, after Aksumite Kingdom went down hills, literary creation and scientific innovation grew stagnant. But since recent times, Ethiopians are actively engaged in artistic creations, scientific innovations, industrialization, researches and studies. Hence, an intellectual property protection mechanism is needed to encourage and expand creation and innovation.
As part of this bid, the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) has given priority for intellectual properties such as copyrights, patents trademarks, symbols and designs. It has been working to safeguard the patent rights of artists, authors and inventors. A satisfactory result has been gained so far. This would be opted to have determinant and decisive role in the economic transformation of the nation.
Biruk Workneh, Acting Communication Director at EIPO insists that strict intellectual property regulation is vital to develop and promote entrepreneurs, inventers, artists and authors and other professionals. Thus, the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office has been striving to ensure robust intellectual property protection through implementing effective legal system that could make Ethiopia competitive in the international arena.
He adds that intellectual property should be protected and promoted and the legal protection being rendered for scientific innovations, literary and artistic creations need to be strengthened.
‘‘Intellectual property advancement plays a pivotal role in the economy of a country. It encourages innovation, research and creation. It would have huge impact in job creation, poverty reduction and industrial development. Besides, it could avoid forgery in a free market economy and it is important to ensure modern and fair trading system,’’ he stated.
EIPO has been working to ensure copyright, patent right, technological transformation and trademark registration so as to realize fruitful intellectual right development, according to him.
Therefore, his office is striving to register intellectual properties as any permanent assets to avoid intellectual theft, plagiarism and distortion. It has also aimed to create international brand for Ethiopian products. That would pave a way for penetrating the red hot global market.
Birku insists that Oromia and Tigray states have established intellectual property directorates and others will do the same bearing responsibility of ensuring strong intellectual property system throughout the country. For instance, Tigray state has started to produce organic honey that would have significance in maximizing foreign currency earnings.
According to him, since the government has realized that intellectual property will have a significant contribution for economic, social and political development, it will do everything necessary to protect, promote and develop it.
He has also vowed to take strict measures on those who violate copyright and other intellectual-property-related issues and the media need to work aggressively in creating awareness among the public regarding intellectual property and its advantages.
Proclamation No.410/2004 was endorsed in 2004 in the Ethiopian Federal Constitution to safeguard copyright and intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, there are still many copyright violations that need swift measures.
Lawyer and Songwriter, Daniel Alemseged says that the government should be cautious in protecting intellectual properties and those who violate copyright should be brought to justice.
Poets, singers, songwriters, photographers, novelist, designers and other intellectual property owners are being vandalized by some irresponsible individuals, Daniel states. They have not been gaining for their painstaking efforts due to such violations.
He adds that the rules and regulations regarding protecting intellectual property ought to be strict and the government should sign international agreements to bring to justice those violators who live abroad. Otherwise, it would be difficult to take and preserve art, culture, scientific invention and industrial revolution to higher level.
Ethiopia has been registering rapid economic growth over the last two decades.
Now, optimism is high for political transformation as the reformed ruling party led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been undertaking tremendous political changes. So far, freedom of speech, media freedom and political freedom have been granted. However, the declared freedom should
protect individual and group intellectual property rights. Government and pertinent stakeholders should exert their maximum efforts in safeguarding intellectual property right since it is vital to realize the intended economic and political goals.
The Ethiopian Herald May 31,2020
BY TSEGAY HAGOS
