African countries are reportedly targeted destinations for counterfeit goods such as pharmaceuticals, foods, and beverages. With the mind of curbing it experts converged in Lagos to tackle the issues of counterfeiting in Nigeria.
The two-day consultative roundtable had as special guest the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo.
According to him, the fight against counterfeiting requires all hands on deck.
The hybrid event covered counterfeiting and piracy in various industries, that include the film industry, pharmaceuticals, alcohol trade, and agriculture.
Counterfeit products, experts say, can be life threatening, as a result, the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation Project in Africa (AfrIPI) put together the Consultative Roundtable on Counterfeiting in Nigeria for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, ideas and experience on the socio-economic implications of counterfeiting and IPR infringement. Intellectual property rights (‘IPRs’ or ‘IP rights’) are legally enforceable rights over the use of inventions or other creative works.
By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the experts say, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.’
The IPR Expert, AfrIPI, Nancy Samuriwo, said: “The consultative roundtable was used to raise awareness of the dangers of counterfeiting and piracy and increase respect for intellectual property rights; was a platform for international experts to discuss trends, challenges, and best practice in IPR enforcement to curb counterfeiting.
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“It also was also a platform for IPR enforcement stakeholders to share their experience and best practice in IPR enforcement matters. At the end, a network was established among participants to support, facilitate and coordinate IPR enforcement and strengthen their efforts and systems to detect, deter and punish the trafficking of counterfeit goods.”
Chief Stella Ezenduka (Trademarks, Patents & Designs Registry, Commercial Law Department), who represented the Minister was of the view that the roundtable is a step in the right direction, “if we must curb the menace”.
Some of the key stakeholders who were in attendance at the roundtable, included the Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the World Intellectual Property Organization (Nigeria Office), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, INTERPOL and Africa International Trade and Commerce Research.
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