The University of Lagos has joined the global community in celebrating 2024 World Intellectual Property Day to draw attention to the rights of creators and copyright holders.
In an effort to raise awareness for a balanced approach to intellectual property protection, members of the Intellectual Property Club, Faculty of Law, and the Innovation and Technology and Management Office (ITMO), UNILAG staged a sensitization walk round to the campus.
With the theme, IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity, the awareness campaign walk took place simultaneously at the Akoka and Idi-Araba campuses of the university with excitement and camaraderie between participants, and passers-by, with whom they shared informational materials.
In furtherance of the sensitization move, renowned IP experts including Dr. Ifeoma Oluwasemilore; Mr Chukwuemeka Nwaokolo; and President of the UNILAG IP Club, Miss Victoria Sogade appeared on an interactive show on the University Campus Radio station, UNILAG 103.1FM, where they shared their expertise on Intellectual Property (IP) rights and significance of IP rights in today’s innovative and creative landscape.
During the radio programme, Dr. Oluwasemilore emphasized the need for individuals and businesses to understand and respect IP rights, stating that “intellectual property rights are essential for encouraging innovation and creativity, as they provide creators with control over their work and enable them to benefit from their investments”. She reiterated the commitment of the University to promote IP rights, and support innovation and creativity among students and faculty members.
According to her, “The celebration of World Intellectual Property Day 2024 reinforces this commitment and encourages the university community to respect and protect intellectual property”.
She asserted that the celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day provides an opportunity to connect inventors, entrepreneurs, IP offices, and other stakeholders to explore and promote IP solutions that can contribute to economic development and social well-being.
While addressing common misconceptions and challenges regarding IP rights, the legal icon offered practical advice on ways to navigate the complex legal landscape. She also pointed out the various types of IP rights and provided examples of the practice of these rights.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Ige Bolodeoku as well as the Head, Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, Professor Abiola Sanni, SAN, at different times, took the students on the role and significance of IP in innovation and creativity.
Similarly, Project Manager of the ITMO-UNILAG, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwaokolo, who also interacted with participants, stressed that IP rights are essential for protecting creations, inventions, and ideas. He explained that IP rights enable individuals and businesses to reap the benefits of their hard work and investments.
During the interaction, Mr. Nwaokolo clarified that IP protection is not limited to large corporations as it also benefits individuals, start-ups, and small businesses.
He encouraged members of the University Community to develop an understanding of IP rights, to help them navigate the complex legal landscape, and to make informed decisions about their own creative work.
The students actively participated in the radio discussion, asking questions and sharing their thoughts on the importance of IP rights.
Intellectual Property (IP) rights can be defined as legal rights that protect creations of the mind such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, and logos used in commerce. The origins of IP rights can be traced to 1883 when the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property was signed.
This convention established intellectual property protections for inventions, trademarks, and industrial designs. In 1970, the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) entered into force, formally creating the institution.
WIPO, which became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1974, works to promote the protection and advancement of intellectual property across the globe.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Micheal Ogo-Oluwa Joshua
