IP rights to help fight poverty in Mozambique
5/05/2009

5 July 2009 will mark the 10th anniversary of the publication of the IP Code in Mozambique. The Intellectual Property Office of Mozambique was also established on the same day, five years after the code. This year, the Minister of Science and Technology has announced the adoption of a new strategy to deal with the development of intellectual property rights.

Earlier this month, at the workshop A Propriedade Industrial em Mocambique – 10 Anos Depois, Minister Venancio Massingue said this strategy was important in the fight against poverty. Intellectual rights are a catalyst for development.

Adams & Adams has been involved in the development of IP rights in Mozambique for some time. It was the first trade mark filed in Mozambique, and the firm now has an office in that country, run by Carlos Martins and Elio Teixeira.

Filing of trade marks and patents has increased exponentially over the last 10 years, along with the economic development of Mozambique; the number of filings rose to 1 599 in 2008. On the patents side the story is similar, taking into account the increase in filings through Aripo, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization.

Despite all these positive developments there are also some challenges. Education and training in the value of intellectual property rights is needed. Entrepreneurs and local communities need to see the value of what they create and be encouraged to register these rights. This forms part of the new strategy adopted by the Mozambican government. Adams & Adams will also be taking part in this initiative with the universities.
Marilyn Krige
Partner
Adams & Adams
marilyn@adamsadams.co.za
Megan Moerdijk
Partner
Adams & Adams
megan-m@adamsadams.co.za