The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Evelyn Nigige has urged Nigerian researchers, investors and innovators to leverage on the European Patent Library Project to stimulate dynamic and balanced Intellectual Property Right (IPRs) system for creativity and innovation for economic development.
Dr. Ngige said this at the opening of the two-day Patent Library (PATLIB) Seminar with the theme “Knowledge transfer to Africa” organized by European Patent Convention on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director of Trade in the Ministry, Mr Suleuman Audu, said that the project will create grounds and opportunities for information sharing and transfer of knowledge amongst Inventors and investors while building capacity and fast-tracking the commercialization of Intellectual Property Right .
According to the Permanent Secretary, “(PATLIB) project is a European Patent Office initiative which commenced in Nigeria last year 2022.
“The main objective of the PATLIB project is to provide innovators, inventors and researchers in developing countries with quality technology information and related services through access to specialized patent data base with the European Office System
“Researchers, Inventor and innovators can leverage on this data base in the course of their research to produce high quality inventions using information extracted
“It is expected that this will enhance inventing activities as well help direct research to much needed areas while minimizing incidence of re-inventing the wheel” she added.
The European Patent Office, (EPO) Senior Advisor on Africa Fernando dos Santos disclosed that the EPO cooperation with Africa currently covers 42 of the 54 African countries and is growing.
According to Fernando dos Santo, the overall objectives of this cooperation is to support the development of a robust patent system in Africa in line with international and European best practices.
He said that this ensured efficient Patent examination and high-quality patent which will in turn foster local innovations, economic development and investment Europe and Africa.
Mr Santos said that the EPO was ready to assist Nigeria in her endeavor to building skills in patent examination to Nigeria examiners and supporting local patent agents in patent drafting and prosecution.
He said: “EPO assistance to Nigeria can be further extended to awareness creation and capacity building through various programs that the organization has been delivering to several countries.”
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