ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia is undertaking significant reforms in its patent system to promote a globally competitive environment for inventions, thereby advancing development and prosperity. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority and the European Patent Office.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, these reforms aim to foster a conducive environment for innovation and attract foreign investment. The authority hosted a symposium in collaboration with the European Patent Office, focusing on Ethiopia's Patent Reforms and engaging various stakeholders from government, industry, and academia.
The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority is revising its patent proclamation, establishing mechanisms to protect traditional knowledge, developing a geospatial information proclamation, and formulating a National Intellectual Property Policy Strategy. These multifaceted reforms are designed to create a comprehensive intellectual property ecosystem that encourages creativity and safeguards inventors' rights.
The European Patent Office has been instrumental in supporting these reforms. It has assisted in revising the patent proclamation and connected Ethiopian universities with European patent system resources. Currently, two Ethiopian universities have access to these resources, and plans are in place to extend this to eight more institutions.
Nicholas Kornig, the Regional Desk Coordinator for the European Patent Office, emphasized their continued support to enhance Ethiopia's patent system. The office will share its experiences in patent registration and management to aid Ethiopia's efforts.
Since its establishment, the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority has registered a total of 658 patents. The Justice State Minister, Ermias Yemanebirhan, highlighted the importance of revising the decades-old patent law to stimulate competitive innovation aligned with the country's development plans.
The State Minister for Innovation and Technology, Foziya Aliyi, pointed out the critical role of innovation in achieving the 'Digital Ethiopia' vision. She remarked that the revised patent law would elevate the government's efforts in the sector and enable the creation of internationally recognized inventions. Foziya also emphasized that the reforms should ensure rightful benefits for creative owners and the country.
These ongoing patent reforms and collaborations with the European Patent Office are poised to significantly enhance Ethiopia's innovation landscape and unlock its full potential in the global arena.