Centre for Intellectual Property Law celebrates World IP Day on 26 April 2013

The World Intellectual Property Organisation’s member states designated 26 April – the day on which the WIPO Convention came into force in 1970 – as World Intellectual Property Day with the aim of increasing the general understanding of IP. Since then, World IP Day has offered a unique opportunity each year to join with others around the globe to discuss and demonstrate how IP works to contribute to the flourishing of music and the arts and to driving the technological innovation that helps shape our world.*

The Centre for Intellectual Property Law under the auspices of the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria is playing an active role in the South African celebrations of World IP Day, as each year South Africa loses billions of Rands due to intellectual property theft – be it from the illegal installation of computer software, illicit copying of music and films to counterfeit brand name products. This year’s celebration focuses on the creativity of the next generation, our students. It also creates awareness among them of exactly how damaging intellectual property theft is to our country’s social welfare and economy.

In South Africa, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) of the dti is working with companies such as Microsoft SA, Proudly SA, SAFACT, AIRCO and the US Embassy to drive awareness around World IP Day.

The next generation is confronted by questions of how they see the future, and who will be the next game-changers? Generating and creating new ideas. For instance, have they ever thought of marketing businesses on rolls of toilet paper? Perhaps even better and more creative ideas to boom our economy? To patent an idea is a dream come true for the inspiring inventor and the Faculty, through its involvement, hopes to enable aspiring Tuks students to fulfill such dreams.

Click for the event programme.

* Source: WIPO website