Intellectual Property Ikechukwu Obiaya School of Media and Communication Pan-Atlantic University

The Knowledge-based Economy It is important to situate the discussion of intellectual property in the context of the knowledge-based economy. The term “knowledge-based economy” reflects a relatively recent awareness of the role of knowledge and technology in economic growth. – “Knowledge, as embodied in human beings (as “human capital”) and in technology, has always been central to economic development. But only over the last few years has its relative importance been recognised, just as that importance is growing.”

What is Intellectual Property? The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) defines it broadly as: – “…the legal rights which result from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary and artistic fields.”

Intellectual Property Rights Intellectual property includes rights relating to: – literary, artistic and scientific works, – performances of performing artists, phonograms and broadcasts, – inventions in all fields of human endeavour, – scientific discoveries, – industrial designs, – trademarks, service marks and commercial names and designations, – protection against unfair competition, – and all other rights resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary or artistic fields. – World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

literary, artistic and scientific works, Copyright branch of intellectual property performances of performing artists, phonograms and broadcasts Rights related to copyright inventions, industrial designs, trademarks, service marks and commercial names and designations protection against unfair competition Industrial property branch of intellectual property (covers inventions and industrial designs)

Intellectual Property Laws The laws protecting intellectual property are aimed at: – giving statutory expression to the moral and economic rights of creators in their creations and the rights of the public in access to those creations. – promoting creativity and the dissemination and application of its results and encouraging fair trading as a means of contributing to economic and social development.

Intellectual Property Laws Intellectual property law aims at safeguarding creators and other producers of intellectual goods and services by granting them certain time-limited rights to control the use made of those productions. The rights apply, not to the physical object in which the creation may be embodied, but to the intellectual creation as such.

Fields of IP Protection Copyrights Patents Trademarks Industrial Designs and Integrated Circuits Geographical Indications Protection Against Unfair Competition