Lesotho inches closer to Intellectual Property rights benefits

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – Nine years on Lesotho has hosted another Sub-Regional Seminar on Madrid and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) systems, to equip participants with practical knowledge on leveraging Madrid and PCT systems for trademarks and patent protection.

Lesotho hosted the same seminar in 2016.

The seminar was also to strengthen collaboration among National Intellectual Property (IP) Offices, innovators, patents and trademarks practitioners, to showcase success stories and best practices in utilizing international IP systems as well as to explore opportunities for regional and international cooperation under African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, Asian Productivity Organization as well as World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

WIPO serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere. Creators and innovators worldwide use IP to translate their ideas into assets. These properties create economic and social benefits that improve the lives of people worldwide.

The Principal Secretary Ministry of Law Lira Ralebese present at the seminar noted the importance of the Madrid and PCT Systems especially for least developed countries such as Lesotho indicating that the system allows businesses to register international trademarks in multiple countries through a single application filed with WIPO.

He said this means that applicants can protect their trademarks in multiple markets with one application, one set of fees and in one language.

He noted that this reduces fees and administrative burdens on applicants. He added that the system also provides simplified management of trademark portfolios, as trademark renewals, changes and updates are managed centrally by WIPO, thus saving on time and legal costs.

Ralebese said, “The PCT system on the other hand streamlines the process of filing patents in multiple countries.”

He said this is beneficial for countries such as Lesotho with limited Research & Development infrastructure, but need technology transfer, as PCT offers delayed national fees for countries for up to 30 months.

“This gives applicants time to assess commercial potential,” he said adding that the system also offers a fee reduction of up to 90 percent on WIPO fees for countries like Lesotho.

Ralebese said the system further assists local inventors and researchers to access global databases, fostering innovation and adaptation of technologies as well as encouraging foreign companies from developed countries to file patents in developing and least developed countries.

This promotes technology transfer and local innovation.

Among the innovators present, Public Eye spoke with Leisa Clothing Lesotho founder Kamohelo Chabana who shared an insight of the importance of the seminar as a businessperson.

He mentioned that the seminar is important because now they will be equipped enough on how to access markets outside the country and which steps to take.

He said they will also know from now on the significance of protecting their products while accessing the market without having outsiders using their ideas and products and them (innovators) not benefitting.

He added that this will also ease investment opportunities as their designs and products will be easily accessible and protected and without fear of exposing them outside for proper ways of benefitting.

He urged the youth to social network with people who are already known adding that “this open doors of opportunity for them so that they are able to pursue their careers.”

Chabana noted that it is important for them to take a step “now because the economy of the country lies in the hands of the youth.”

Deputy Attorney General Advocate Makhele Sekati emphasized IP as a powerful tool for social, cultural, economic and technological development. He said it is a cornerstone for innovation and competitiveness, however, noting that its impact on transforming the economies of countries is still limited.

He urged collaboration with cooperating partners to share best practices on the use of the Madrid and PCT systems for impactful programmes that will unlock the creativity and innovative potential.

He indicated that to also ensure that IP, in particular trademarks and patents, not only protect the rights of creators and businesses but also stimulate investment, trade and technological advancements.

He urged the nation to use IP to solve common problems and build a better future for all.

“If harnessed effectively, IP can be the biggest contributor to our Gross Domestic Products (GDP),” he said.

Sekati highlighted that since Lesotho became a member of WIPO in 1986, the PCT system in 1995 and the Madrid in 1999 has benefitted immensely from the continued technical assistance from WIPO.

He pointed out a few, saying Lesotho is currently undergoing its IP Legislative Review with the assistance of WIPO, Lesotho has established four Technology and Innovation Support enters (TISCs) which will provide innovators with access to locally based, high quality technology information and related services, helping them to exploit their innovative potential and to create, protect and manage their IP rights.

He said WIPO is also working with the government to explore the development and implementation of a project that would build national capacity in the use of technical and scientific information contained in patent information and assist in the identification of an appropriate technology for community development.