Picture: THINKSTOCK
Picture: THINKSTOCK

THE Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) have signed a partnership agreement aimed at the promotion and protection and commercialisation of intellectual property (IP). Both entities assert that the partnership can make a difference in the South African economy.

The partnership aims to bring about integrated intellectual property services for customers who rely on both entities to realise their entrepreneurial techno-Preneurial dreams. Customers will be able to receive assistance during the development, registration, protection and commercialisation of their innovation. This will be made possible, among other initiatives, through the Techno-Preneurs Project.

This project aims to identify innovators and potential innovators, who have either registered their innovation or have potential innovation to register, with a view to support them to fully develop, protect and commercialise their inventions. The Techno-Preneurs Project will initially focus on technology innovators and thereafter expand to other areas of intellectual property. As a means to give effect to this project, a media campaign and a series of workshops will be undertaken.

In brief, the Techno-Preneurs Project straddles across four areas of co-operation identified: commercialisation of intellectual property (eg make known patents that are available for licensing), education and awareness on intellectual property (eg public campaigns), intellectual property support (eg initiatives to support emerging firms, funding of patent registration) and skills development.

Both entities believe the partnership will improve the value proposition for customers in the innovation sector.

By way of example, TIA and CIPC will be able to identify innovators and understand the challenges they face when they are engaged in the development and commercialisation of technological innovations. The entities will put in place carefully thought out strategies to assist innovators. Furthermore, the partnership will allow for ease of information retrieval in specific sectors, areas of technology development and the location of the techno-preneurs for the sake of targeted interventions.

It is envisaged that the collaboration will stimulate an upsurge of the registration and protection of local/domestic intellectual property, such as patents and designs. Currently, the number of domestic applications is lower than that of foreign applications. The two partners will create a portal of inventions and inventors. Inventions on the portal will be accessible for licensing and commercialisation. It is envisaged that there will be a positive impact on the economic environment related to innovation and technology.

The partnership will also harness the interaction between CIPC and innovators as well as enrich the necessary discussion regarding substantive examination of patents. Thus, it will give meaning and contribute to the country’s industrial policy and innovation growth.

Furthermore, the partnership will enable TIA to proactively identify and engage with the innovators who require support from TIA in order to develop and commercialise their technological innovations. Understanding their challenges and developing tailor made initiatives to address their challenged is a key aspect of the project.

TIA and CIPC are suitable entities to drive such a partnership. TIA’s mandate is to support the development and commercialisation of technological innovations in South Africa, which in turn involves the creation and protection of intellectual property. CIPC’s mandate includes the registration and protection of intellectual property (patents, designs, copyright and trade marks), render education and awareness, ensure compliance and enforcement of rights related to intellectual property.

Indeed, the protection and commercialisation of intellectual property can enhance quality of life, create new jobs and industries as well as stimulate economic growth. An efficient intellectual property system can serve as one of the catalysts in cultural and technological development, as well as improve South Africa standing in area of innovation.