In line with its mandate to protect, promote and register intellectual property by creating a reputable intellectual property environment, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) will host an engaging stakeholder conference on the Draft Copyright and related Rights Bill today. 

The conference aims to validate stakeholder input that was sought earlier this year to the Draft Copyright and related Rights Bill. 

Given the Bill’s potential impact on various sectors in the country, this national conference aims to bring together civil societies, the creative industry, Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), educational institutions, cultural and traditional authorities, manufacturing companies, business sectors and law enforcement agencies with the aim of collecting constructive feedback on the content of the Draft Copyright and Related Rights Bill. 

The outcome of this session is expected to help inform of any necessary additions before the Bill is tabled.

“The national conference is a necessary platform to give the rationale behind repealing the current Copyright and Neighbouring Right Protection Act, 1994 (Act No. 6 of1994), as well as sharing new changes in the Draft Bill that have been incorporated during the various stakeholder engagement sessions,” said executive of Intellectual Property Service at BIPA Ainna Kaundu.

She further noted, “The amendments made to the Bill was to ensure that the new law speaks to our current needs as a country and is aligned with international best practice frameworks on copyright and related
rights”.

The conference is set to take place today from 08h30 to 16h00, and it will be held in a hybrid form, accommodating in-person and virtual attendees.