Flora IP’s Dr Titilayo Adebola co-moderated a webinar today organised by the Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (AITCR).
Topic “African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) under AfCFTA: Should Nigeria Join or not?”
ARIPO is an inter-governmental organisation in Africa that is set to play a significant role in strengthening cross-border collaborations on intellectual property rights under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Nigeria is not a member of ARIPO (it has observer status). However, Nigeria has signed the AfCFTA Agreement although it is yet to ratify and deposit its instrument with the African Union.
The AfCFTA presents a new opportunity for cross-border cooperation on intellectual property rights in Africa. Should Nigeria reconsider its position on ARIPO?
Panelists
1. Mr Fernando Dos Santos: Director General, ARIPO.
2. Mr Shafiu Adamu Yauri: Registrar, Trademarks Registry, Nigeria.
3. Ms Diana Akullo Ogwal: Policy Officer, African Union Commission.
4. Mr Afamefuna Nwokedi: Principal Counsel/Group Head, Stillwaters Law and Chairman of the IP Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law.
5. Ms Nta Ekpiken: Partner, TNP an Andersen Collaborating law firm.
Moderator
Mr Sand Mba Kalu: Executive Director, AITCR.
Some questions that call for further discussions
Should Nigeria join any of the regional intellectual property organisations in Africa?
How should the Intellectual Property Protocol in the AfCFTA respond to the fragmented intellectual property organisations and regional economic communities in Africa?
Is the Pan African Intellectual Property Organisation ‘the solution’ for Africa?
