The threat to global economies by the increased infringement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is real and continues to grow larger every day. Figures by the World Economic Forum estimates that counterfeiting and illicit trade presently deprives the global economy of $2.2 trillion annually, accounting for nearly three per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP),

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority, the Attorney General Africa – Africa Programme and other stakeholders in the IP industry are hosting a unique IP Enforcement symposium in Nairobi, Kenya on June 13-15. The forum convenes prominent stakeholders, policymakers, legal experts, industry leaders, and international organizations involved in trade, intellectual property protection and enforcement.

This symposium will serve as a knowledge-sharing and networking platform, fostering discussions and collaborations to tackle the emerging issues of counterfeiting and IPR infringement. It will create an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative strategies on how more effective international cooperation and collaboration can be developed to improve both strategic and operational responses to what is now a global economic and criminal issue.

The conference attendance reflects a renewed strategy by the Kenyan authorities towards sustainable enforcement of Intellectual property rights. The Chief Guest, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Hon Moses Kuria,  Principal Secretary, State Department of Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Represented by Mr. Vermandele Xavier, the Attorney Generals’ Alliance (AGA-Africa) Gen. Hector Hugo Balderas, former AG, New Mexico and John Ukegbu, Esq, Senior Staff Attorney, New Jersey Office , Anti-Counterfeiting Network (ACN) -Uganda, Chairman & Director Legal & Corporate Affairs – Mr. Fred Muwem and Private Sector Representative, Flora Mutahi (Chair –KEPSA and Former Chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority), Kenya Association of Manufacturers CEO Antony Mwangi, President Law Society of Kenya, Mr. Eric Theuri, are just some of the names represented at the event.

Speaking on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Hon Moses Kuria, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Industrialization Dr. Juma Mukhwana said: “Protecting IP rights is vital to supporting economic growth. The rapidly evolving digital world presents a range of challenges for Intellectual Property protection in the future, and partnerships are essential if we are to address the challenges of today and tomorrow. I look forward to sustainable solutions to this menace”.

The Chairmen of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Hon Josephat Kabeabea stated: “The latest Intellectual property crime study undertaken by ACA is the National Baseline Survey in October 2019 and February 2020 on the extent of counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade in Kenya showed the value of counterfeit trade to be close to Sh100 billion in revenue in 2018, a figure economists say could be more and increasing each year.

The Principal Secretary, State Department of Industrialization Dr. Juma Mukhwana said “Innovators and creators need reliable protection of their intellectual assets, but they also need effective enforcement. This cannot be achieved simply by passing the responsibility on to police and customs authorities. Public and private cooperation is essential if we want to ensure that IP is protected to safeguard jobs, growth and counter the social and economic damage that IP infringements cause.”

Speaking at the conference, Mr John Edozie, Attorney General Alliance-Africa Programme (AGA-Africa) International Advisor and a key sponsor of the event said “Intellectual property in the 21st century is a critical driver of progress and prosperity as it fuels innovation, fosters creativity, and propels economic growth. Whilst in the past, business investments primarily focused on physical assets, today, the true value lies in intangible goods—the ideas and creations of the mind that shape our world”.

Speaking virtually, the World Intellectual Property Organization Assistant Director General (WIPO) Mr. Edward Kwakwa praised the Anti-Counterfeit Authority for organizing the first of its kind event in the region. He called for the need for collaboration at all levels for effective enforcement of IP matters. He said WIPO had a reservoir of capacity building materials dealing with enforcement and prosecution of IP and currently developing the standard for customs recordation system.

Twitter: #ISIPPEConference, #UpholdingAuthenticity

Click here to follow the event in live streaming