post Thursday February 7, 2013
Despite possible negative implications on local economies, the heads of state for the African Union have decided to establish the Pan-African Intellectual Property Office. While little is currently known about the development of the PAIPO, more developments are expected by the May 2013 summit of leaders.
The draft proposal appears to place a new layer of control over the IP office. The Union met in January with the theme of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance. The organization’s website states the goals as “accelerating the process of integration in the continent to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalization.” Further: “The main objectives of the OAU were, inter alia, to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.”
While there is currently no IP office for the continent, there is a national office and two regional offices.
Source: IP Watch
Image source: Free Digital Photos
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