African Contributions in Shaping the Worldwide Intellectual Property System - Hardcover

Kongolo, Tshimanga

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0754677400 ISBN 13: 9780754677406

Publisher: Routledge, 2013

Synopsis

Africa is playing an increasingly more significant role in the domain of international intellectual property law, and this book underlines the contributions made by African countries as a group to the development of the current international IP system. It examines in detail their breakthrough proposals and initiatives at the WTO, WIPO and WHO with regard to IP and public health; IP and traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources; IP and biodiversity; and exceptions and limitations to copyright. Using Botswana, Burundi, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia as examples, it examines the systems under which these IP subject matters are protected. From a regional perspective, the book also analyses some initiatives taken by ARIPO, OAPI and the African Union to protect traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, especially in relation to protection of the rights of local farming communities and breeders, regulation of access to biological resources, genetically modified organisms and the proposed establishment of the new Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization (PAIPO). Demonstrating how Africa is now an active player on the international IP scene, this book will be invaluable to those interested in intellectual property law, business and commercial law, and African and international law.

About this title

About the Author:

Tshimanga Kongolo is an intellectual property researcher. He was formerly Assistant Professor, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. His key areas of interest are International Intellectual Property Law and global IP challenges. He has published widely on these areas in books and articles in renowned international IP journals.

Review:

'The book examines the active role being played by Africa in devising new arrangements to tackle public health, access to educational material, access to genetic resources and protection of traditional knowledge and how this international dynamism is properly echoed at the national level. These issues are exhaustibly examined in this timely, incisive and well-researched book.'
Pedro Roffe, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, Switzerland

'This well-written book provides an insightful, comprehensive and up-to-date account of Africa's contributions to the development of domestic, regional and international intellectual property standards. Its publication cannot be more timely in view of the recent emergence of the African Group. For those who consider African countries passive takers of international norms shaped in the developed world, Tshimanga Kongolo's informative account will make you rethink your assumptions. The book is a rare gem in the literature of international intellectual property law and policy.' --Peter K. Yu, Drake University Law School, USA

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0754677400
• ISBN 13: 9780754677406
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 344