tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70940678295624828532024-03-07T06:34:24.852+03:00IP KenyaNjugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-56887060377796561782009-05-18T15:52:00.004+03:002009-05-18T16:05:09.723+03:00The battle of the ring tones: boon for artistsFollowing the introduction of a caller ring back tone service by mobile phone operator Zain- branded ZIKI; Safaricom has also introduced its own service by the name SKIZA. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4wNKhU4o16aDliqfnnuOl25WVMaR5WPCvJhofcmNjpFYLDSt8-_R0YH7FtPGoJ7TqqUr-gDs4E4K7gqy6MQupQPGKGIG0znJo-TwDljobB6B32paPyWwjZRNdGItOgy7eMmaVuc3iFo/s1600-h/safaricom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337146851184358306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 96px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 36px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4wNKhU4o16aDliqfnnuOl25WVMaR5WPCvJhofcmNjpFYLDSt8-_R0YH7FtPGoJ7TqqUr-gDs4E4K7gqy6MQupQPGKGIG0znJo-TwDljobB6B32paPyWwjZRNdGItOgy7eMmaVuc3iFo/s200/safaricom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The service enables subscribers to choose a preferred song and set it as their ring back tune for callers to listen to while waiting for the call to be picked up. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSWlQwLbZNwqqieZBh3ETbH5rEdkHd6doZVCLQ_oiHOtIZ-fI0-yAKdP74vgzzIXZqkjpKyDSwu5u9hH1MvSToM43HwdE5_9SyHLPFb_3LII4qgB-5Wp1j5FrlYdG065tDtEE6YYYOo4/s1600-h/zain.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337146959438241218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 56px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 79px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSWlQwLbZNwqqieZBh3ETbH5rEdkHd6doZVCLQ_oiHOtIZ-fI0-yAKdP74vgzzIXZqkjpKyDSwu5u9hH1MvSToM43HwdE5_9SyHLPFb_3LII4qgB-5Wp1j5FrlYdG065tDtEE6YYYOo4/s200/zain.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To use a single tune, Zain customers have to pay a monthly fee of Sh40 and while Safaricom has pegged its fee at Sh.25.<br /><p align="justify">While the competition between the networks intensifies, its good news for the local musicians who stand to generate additional revenue in licence fees paid for use of their music as ring tones.</p>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-52210768109348246862009-03-24T11:24:00.001+03:002009-03-24T11:28:47.146+03:00Unsanitary patent war over sanitary bin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwJyFCQYPf3bpxIFoGhlz_Zovd1P_-h-tJW_IqIVc1_z_9ooOaa3f6cuWworGF0B9b59FkKJHfmFib7M4s7lvkNnv8sSKh53sOeHsNpoPYeQm-ttI2GPnKMJS9Xh5dxZLdX7RuuTFb1c/s1600-h/star+wars.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316667808533434418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwJyFCQYPf3bpxIFoGhlz_Zovd1P_-h-tJW_IqIVc1_z_9ooOaa3f6cuWworGF0B9b59FkKJHfmFib7M4s7lvkNnv8sSKh53sOeHsNpoPYeQm-ttI2GPnKMJS9Xh5dxZLdX7RuuTFb1c/s200/star+wars.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">As reported by Afro-IP <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2009/03/kenya-sanitary-patent-wars.html">here</a> the battle between Sanitam Services Ltd and Rentokil Initial Kenya Ltd over patent infringement rages on. This time round it was Rentokil (the plaintiff) instituting proceedings in the High Court to restrain Sanitam (the defendant) from threatening, intimidating, harassing, embarrassing and confusing Rentokil’s clients and customers over sanitary bin it provides to them.<br /><br />Rentokil made the application for temporary injunction after Sanitam wrote letters to various companies warning them to stop using sanitary bins supplied by the plaintiff, which the defendant considered to be infringing its patent AP 773 granted by ARIPO.<br />In contention it was the defendant’s case that by using the bins supplied by the plaintiff, the said clients were infringing the Sanitam patent.<br /><br />It is worth noting that this is the fourth time in the last 10 years the parties are in court over the issue of infringement of the same patent. The matter goes back to 1999 when Sanitam sought a temporary injunction against Rentokil, which was denied by the High Court. There after the matter went for full hearing and again Sanitam lost with the Court ruling that it had not proved a case of infringement. Sanitam appealed to the Court of Appeal and prevailed in obtaining in 2006 a permanent injunction to last for the “life of the patent”.<br /><br />Last year alone Sanitam obtained injunctions against a number of companies, among them Nairobi Bins, reported <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/04/sanitam-episode-2-another-injunction.html">here</a> and Hygiene Bins.<br /><br />In the current battle with Rentokil one wonders at the expense the parties have incurred in the last 10 year they have been at each others throat. Would it not perhaps make time and shilling wise sense for the parties to settle the matter out of court? Wouldn’t a licensing arrangement be a win-win situation? Or are we likely to continue witnessing some more epic battles in the trilogy. Now that we have seen the first 4 episodes, is there likelihood of episode V- the empire striking back.<br /><br />For star wars episode I-VI <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars">here</a></div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-83750643383023373812009-03-09T11:46:00.004+03:002009-03-09T12:01:44.788+03:00Transport Ministry to vet patented speed governors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgIqNyXy6coKur8rmNaVkqcrRfIL9XtGEsJ7ciCj9sDWrhLNc_K8L7n0BfP4BjnPFQmM5wjuWMgg41SGJRNX3dGWW4nQeGVcjkRJJUcrDVJmtsphxu9qQ9KT2h2THT1oOPM4vZsZ7Fnw/s1600-h/speed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311109086055875218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgIqNyXy6coKur8rmNaVkqcrRfIL9XtGEsJ7ciCj9sDWrhLNc_K8L7n0BfP4BjnPFQmM5wjuWMgg41SGJRNX3dGWW4nQeGVcjkRJJUcrDVJmtsphxu9qQ9KT2h2THT1oOPM4vZsZ7Fnw/s200/speed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br />IP Kenya has spotted a rather curious notice by the Ministry of Transport, which states that the Ministry is in the process of vetting all speed governor fitters and is inviting the fitters to submit the following:<br /></p><ol><li>Type and model of governor.</li><br /><li><strong>Patent right/manufactures authorization letter to fit the speed governors.</strong></li><br /><li>Kenya bureau of Standards certification.</li><br /><li>Sample of compliance certificate issued to customers.<br /></li></ol><p align="justify">IP Kenya wonders why the ministry requires the fitters to have patented gadgets. Though the notice does not say, what will happen to fitters who may have not bothered to patent or whose patent rights have expired? </p><p align="justify">A patent on how to bypass a speed governor <a href="http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3717050.html">here</a></p>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-80355666534002647332009-01-21T12:57:00.005+03:002009-01-21T13:15:14.813+03:00BrandKenya: The task of Branding Kenya’s exports<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1uJ2N3P2WInPInLmriwUtJ04ObI-085rHvEX4ONnJ9PvGjARXjWz11I18PynArOdbW18jFQzhavXJ2hpDNHqxg10IA_Eh8NzTl6Pfy1OeoK0RZMZ1HAjkodiLlwlpcSMF_572vRYnmM/s1600-h/magical.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293686708162202786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1uJ2N3P2WInPInLmriwUtJ04ObI-085rHvEX4ONnJ9PvGjARXjWz11I18PynArOdbW18jFQzhavXJ2hpDNHqxg10IA_Eh8NzTl6Pfy1OeoK0RZMZ1HAjkodiLlwlpcSMF_572vRYnmM/s200/magical.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 55px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 100px;" /></a><br />
<div align="justify">A <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/517356/-/view/printVersion/-/a4ammb/-/index.html">report</a> in the nation indicates that, in a move to shape the image of the country, the Brand Kenya Board is hoping to convince Kenyan exporters to include the BrandKenya logo on all products originating from Kenya. </div><br />
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According to the CEO the Board will be holding stakeholder meetings for the next 6 months and all manufacturers are expected to come together to agree on the use of the logo. </div><br />
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However and in contrast to the trend in other countries where companies pay a fee to use such logos on their products, the Board will not charge any fee. </div><br />
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The Brand Kenya Board was formed in March 2008 to develop a national identity and image to market the country internationally as a tourism and conference destination, export leverage, Foreign Direct Investment, internal and external public diplomacy. To this end, the Board is developing a strategy to create a strong and positive image for Kenya as well as foster international confidence in the country. </div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com1Nairobi, Kenya-1.274359 36.813106-1.4459775000000001 36.579646499999996 -1.1027405 37.0465655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-45956881400801598922009-01-16T10:40:00.002+03:002009-01-16T10:47:58.212+03:00Scientist and MP differ over GMO law<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ucMn2_GWQU-sgSg3k_Y7v0qQ0kOIdl5jqmXDkFJK8_ookp1Yg7YXqXvWckN1Ii2COG6bYuvs-bXh-QpBS_1J50aTFvenks0liPFvqYxLv3jYxGO_jBJmM9ZuAiWTRg5lN1nYs25VYv8/s1600-h/gmo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291794912650080034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ucMn2_GWQU-sgSg3k_Y7v0qQ0kOIdl5jqmXDkFJK8_ookp1Yg7YXqXvWckN1Ii2COG6bYuvs-bXh-QpBS_1J50aTFvenks0liPFvqYxLv3jYxGO_jBJmM9ZuAiWTRg5lN1nYs25VYv8/s200/gmo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">The Nation <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/515354/-/u1acuw/-/index.html">reports</a> that a University of Nairobi scientist, Gideon Nyamasyo and Imenti North MP differed over whether Kenya should adopt genetically modified crops to counter food shortage. In supporting the recently passed <a href="http://www.kenlii.org/Downloads/Bills/2008/The_Biosafety_Bill_2008.pdf">Biosafety Bill 2008</a>, the lecturer said adopting GMO technology was the only way Kenya could free herself from the prevailing hunger. He believes that Kenyans lacked awareness on the importance of GMOs largely because personal interests have overshadowed proper debate.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />However, the MP dismissed the lecturer’s suggestions, saying Kenyans would be put at risk if the technology was adopted. The MP was of the view that only a few people would benefit if the Biosafety Bill 2008 becomes law as only those who are financially able will control the seed sector.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />The Biosagety Bill 2008 seeks to establish a National Biosafety Authority to regulate activities in genetically modified organism. The Bill further aims to facilitate research into and minimize the risks that may be posed by GMOs. According to information on the <a href="http://www.bunge.go.ke/downloads/Tenth%20Parl%201st%20Session/Bill%20Tracker%202008.pdf">Parliament’s website</a>, the Bill was passed 9th December 2008 and is only waiting for assent by the President to become law.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-7479931210723840192009-01-15T13:21:00.003+03:002009-01-15T13:26:58.598+03:00The multi-billion counterfeit Industry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6YPxsJA0vM8wj9gV6a5SW7fnO9Gk_b9T3bsfvQyj1W94vsP6XwjDK2I8ZibDWnc-2t38nB2B-eNVG-T025LKjDb9zLls9hbmub8Dz4gVn7g1dkC9dy9KYed-pKuMkENYEHuDf-OLzlw/s1600-h/feit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291464361717841858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6YPxsJA0vM8wj9gV6a5SW7fnO9Gk_b9T3bsfvQyj1W94vsP6XwjDK2I8ZibDWnc-2t38nB2B-eNVG-T025LKjDb9zLls9hbmub8Dz4gVn7g1dkC9dy9KYed-pKuMkENYEHuDf-OLzlw/s200/feit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">In an investigative <a href="http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144003928&cid=459&">report,</a> the Standard details how wheeler-dealers in the counterfeit industry go about their “business”. From mobile phones to spirits, the counterfeit barons are able to imitate any “commodity.” All they require is a sample or even a photograph of the genuine item and they will have a fake one manufactured in China at a fraction of the retail price in Kenya. </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />The barons are also defrauding the Kenya Revenue Authority of billions of shilling by making fake revenue stamps that are mainly used by manufacturers of wines and spirits. For example, one Chinese baron was found with 25,000 pieces of revenue stamps each retailing at Ksh 5. The stamps are then sold to unregistered manufacturers to sell unlicensed wines and spirits. KRA is worried that the fake stamps are perfectly made to look real and a layman will not notice the difference. </div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-69557632886584801622009-01-08T16:28:00.003+03:002009-01-08T16:33:06.849+03:00Need for new IP Laws?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xz4ov-MOWNLopRYNuz2_UiSWCH9_v1cOjvVUhqxi0rHmDaxSE5pBumkBn9Oj7MWU20LBzTyZPmBIeObhVwaha0ErCDuwyoiaS8r3b3CvUchFLSgruqqkGzRm5enUpyScnNc5KBEomLU/s1600-h/new+law.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288915337039167698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 99px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xz4ov-MOWNLopRYNuz2_UiSWCH9_v1cOjvVUhqxi0rHmDaxSE5pBumkBn9Oj7MWU20LBzTyZPmBIeObhVwaha0ErCDuwyoiaS8r3b3CvUchFLSgruqqkGzRm5enUpyScnNc5KBEomLU/s200/new+law.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Writing for the Standard Newspaper, Harold Ayodo is of the <a href="http://www.eastandard.net/print.php?id=1144003383&cid=15">opinion</a> that Parliament should enact new intellectual property “laws to enable citizens reap maximum benefits from innovation.” </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />He also believes that such laws are necessary to “protect ideas and information of commercial value” in order to stop “reproduction of works without permission from innovators.” </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />The writer further contends such laws would protect the public universities who are “victims of foreign institutions” who take credit for breakthroughs in joint research studies. This is perhaps in reference to the dispute in 2000 between the University of Nairobi and Oxford University over patent ownership and omission of Kenyan scientist as inventors in a patent application. </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />Whereas it is true as the writer says that the economy loses billions of shillings due to infringement of IP rights, it is debatable whether the causal agent is lack of IP laws, as he seems to suggest or weakness in existing laws. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">As this blog has <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IpKenya/~3/504297204/christmas-break.html">argued</a>, the problem is not lack of IP laws but general weakness in the various existing laws, and more so to do with the thorny issue of enforcement. Such weaknesses in existing laws should be addressed through suitable amendments rather than enactment of other pieces of legislation, which seems to be the preferred thinking.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-77371449541830958582009-01-08T16:23:00.002+03:002009-01-08T16:26:12.190+03:00Research leads to a new wheat variety<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMoJyqln9jWCLnypt30aqN0jeznAfMWVNikQE7znYH2Ri5ZBy2qt2V0zRO8zqIB-vg-C_rvpeulvrJeZzUwXb-VONGKVqAr2jT4aavHQqgIOH6t-VuLsMBdY9G5eUig7trd8zck4BEwE/s1600-h/miriam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288913390232950514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 77px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMoJyqln9jWCLnypt30aqN0jeznAfMWVNikQE7znYH2Ri5ZBy2qt2V0zRO8zqIB-vg-C_rvpeulvrJeZzUwXb-VONGKVqAr2jT4aavHQqgIOH6t-VuLsMBdY9G5eUig7trd8zck4BEwE/s200/miriam.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">The Standard <a href="http://www.eastandard.net/print.php?id=1144003489&cid=465">reports</a> that a team of scientists have bred a drought and disease resistant wheat variety code named NJORO –BW1. The report indicates that the team, led by Prof Miriam Kinyua of Moi University, produced the variety using induced mutation — a novel nuclear plant breeding technique. </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />The new variety has enabled small-scale farmers to plant on farms once considered too poor to cultivate. The variety is now cultivated on more than 10,000 hectares and its popularity among Kenyan wheat farmers is increasing.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />Note on Prof Kinyua's work <a href="http://www.eastandard.net/print.php?id=1144003487&cid=465">here</a> </div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-8987495730772217712008-12-23T12:42:00.007+03:002008-12-23T13:04:20.236+03:00Christmas break<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9brpjbENrEsjWHnkI-HXwYwMLLEY7BsuGd5gjbGspWHxgJOf5M2l4tZaeWkY8fRhh1BRIaAScexYoPmOEY44NISaNPsjEU-N8NZ7a7l-LU5SQyINoM5X24hAwL0jqNZ1jr4UGvCnbdE/s1600-h/tree.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282923732143763586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 92px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9brpjbENrEsjWHnkI-HXwYwMLLEY7BsuGd5gjbGspWHxgJOf5M2l4tZaeWkY8fRhh1BRIaAScexYoPmOEY44NISaNPsjEU-N8NZ7a7l-LU5SQyINoM5X24hAwL0jqNZ1jr4UGvCnbdE/s200/tree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">As reported by Afro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IP</span> <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/12/end-of-road-for-anti-counterfeit-bill.html">here</a>, with the Parliament having gone on recess last week marks the end of the road for the Anti Counterfeit Bill 2008.<br /><br />Hopefully the break and the new year will inject fresh ideas to take the process to a another level other than debating on whether to distinguish counterfeit medicine from other counterfeit goods.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As suggested by the Afro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IP</span> post, it may be necessary to decide whether to orientate the debate on how to tackle the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">menace</span> of counterfeits in a different direction such as amending the existing laws rather than coming up with another layer of law which comes with its own added baggage.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">On that score <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">IP</span> Kenya would also like to take a deserved <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Christmas</span> break until January next year. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">We wish our readers a merry <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Christmas</span> and a happy new year.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-34417364459086176292008-12-18T09:46:00.004+03:002008-12-18T11:03:00.020+03:00New malaria drug in the making?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFDZG18AIf8g7dOdH3t6C985sEnB9zzxr8B__Q5fyBTIPpdzsWuSoIM8ru7_XMETtj-Gu1_JVpYmQv28LlraDBpQ7Su6rYBf5r8eUtgmxWUR_DC1KB06Y95IdVBwnGlR7U4F0bbSyYSE/s1600-h/mosquito.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281019058159882930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFDZG18AIf8g7dOdH3t6C985sEnB9zzxr8B__Q5fyBTIPpdzsWuSoIM8ru7_XMETtj-Gu1_JVpYmQv28LlraDBpQ7Su6rYBf5r8eUtgmxWUR_DC1KB06Y95IdVBwnGlR7U4F0bbSyYSE/s200/mosquito.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">The standard Newspaper <a href="http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144002011&cid=442&">reports</a> that researchers at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) are on the verge of a major breakthrough in the fight against malaria. It is reported that research on a plant, <em>phytolacca</em> <em>dodecandra</em>, found in Turkana District promises to produce an effective pesticide against mosquitoes. </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />According to one of the researchers Pamela Were, field tests have proved that the plant can kill mosquitoes in all their life stages; for example, it kills the mosquito larvae within ten hours of exposure. The plant is very effective in low doses and the chemical extracted from the plant has potential to be used as a pesticide.</div><div align="justify"><br />The research is in the final stages and the researchers expect to patent and licence the invention in the course of next year. </div><div align="justify"><br />According to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytolacca_dodecandra">wikipedia</a> entry, the plant <em>Phytolacca</em> <em>dodecandra</em> is variously known as <strong>endod</strong>, <strong>Gopo Berry</strong>, or <strong>African soapberry</strong> and is a trailing shrub or climber native to Africa. The plant is cultivated mainly in Ethiopia where it is used as a soap and shampoo as well as a poison to stun fish. The plant is lethal to snail - a fact discovered by Ethiopian scientists . After an Ethiopian scientist demonstrated the plants potency to American scientists, they took out a patent (<a title="http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=" href="http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US5252330" idx="US5252330">US 5252330</a>), hoping to sell it as a biological control for the Zebra mussel, a pest in the Great Lakes of the US and Canada.</div><div align="justify"><br />Hopefully the Kenyan scientists will not demonstrate or have not demonstrated the potency of their research to the American Scientists.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-68944997610499820322008-12-18T08:31:00.003+03:002008-12-18T08:43:05.795+03:00Singapore Treaty on Trade Marks to enter into force in March 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9_mh8Hr_JVJUC_ZhdFxCrYJzb8NPsemijsOe7XULhr8ZIb8zC6b6Z-Lzvhk_x7aJrYCnw1KY6_7czEWhNAxzHicMTvxDy1k3zVfDAP14k5-3Fi8NGBCHlzY-trw4iLAo6_V_ojbfLhA/s1600-h/singapore.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280999501392930290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9_mh8Hr_JVJUC_ZhdFxCrYJzb8NPsemijsOe7XULhr8ZIb8zC6b6Z-Lzvhk_x7aJrYCnw1KY6_7czEWhNAxzHicMTvxDy1k3zVfDAP14k5-3Fi8NGBCHlzY-trw4iLAo6_V_ojbfLhA/s200/singapore.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">According to a WIPO <a href="http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2008/article_0068.html">press release,</a> the Singapore Treaty on Trade Marks will come into force on 16th March 2009 following ratification by Australia on 16th December 2008. Australia becomes the tenth country to ratify the treaty to make it operational.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />The release indicates that WIPO Director General, Francis Gurry, who coincidentally is Australian, welcomed this development saying, “the entry into force of the Singapore Treaty was good news for trademark owners around the world as it opened the way for the branded goods industry to register and manage trademark rights cost-effectively and efficiently.”<br /><br />The Singapore Treaty was adopted by WIPO member states in Singapore in March 2006. The Treaty standardizes procedural aspects of trademark registration and licensing and enables owners of trademarks and national trademark authorities to take advantage of efficiencies in using modern communications technologies to process and manage evolving trademark rights.<br /><br />Kenya signed the Treaty on 28th March 2006, but has not ratified it.<br /><br /><br />Key features of the treaty are that<br />· It recognises all types of marks, including non-traditional visible marks, such as holograms, three-dimensional marks, colour, position and movement marks, and non-visible marks, such as sound, olfactory or taste and feel marks. However the Treaty does not impose any obligations on Contracting Parties to (i) register new types of marks, or (ii) implement electronic filing systems or other automation systems<br />· It leaves Contracting Parties the freedom to choose the form and means of transmittal of communications and whether they accept communications on paper, communications in electronic form or any other form of communication. This has consequences on formal requirements for applications and requests, such as the signature on communications with the Office.<br />· It does not require authentication, certification or attestation of any signature on paper communications. However, Contracting Parties are free to determine whether and how they wish to implement a system of authentication of electronic communications.<br />· It provides for relief measures when an applicant or a holder has missed a time limit in an action for a procedure before the Office. Contracting Parties are required to make available, at their choice, at least the following relief measures: (1) extension of the time limit, (2) continued processing and (3) reinstatement of rights if the failure to meet the time limit was unintentional or occurred in spite of due care required by the circumstances.<br />· It provides for recording of trademark licenses, and establishes maximum requirements for the requests for recordal, amendment or cancellation of the recordal of a license.<br />· It creates an Assembly of the Contracting Parties.<br />· It introduces a degree of flexibility for the definition of details concerning administrative procedures to be implemented by national trade mark offices where it is anticipated that future developments in trade mark registration procedures and practice will warrant the amendments of those details.<br />· It has provisions for assisting developing and least developed countries (LDCs) with technical and technological support to enable them to take full advantage of the provisions of the Treaty. <span style="color:#990000;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#990000;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#990000;">AS of now no developing country or LDC has ratified the treaty, hopefully they will do so in the near future and take advantage of the technical and technological support envisaged in the treaty in order to modernise their trade mark registries, especially in terms of eletronic communication. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><br />Summary of the treaty is available <a href="http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/singapore/summary_singapore.html">here</a>.<br />The full treaty is available <a href="http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/tlt_r_dc/tlt_r_dc_30.pdf">here</a> </div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-97657120013407922008-12-16T12:24:00.002+03:002008-12-16T12:28:54.992+03:00WIPO announces Strategic Change Program<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsrISEybUYNNDOm510sjfrgXoatChAZY6Z8KxIhkK3_CCQ5l6lSaFFN9ZpEwukhGrtOKzyVTytzv788HNJ966QEu0ubYWDu9ripiYeS6WP_rsv4fqaq84RwOkhgB9mo4GTMewVwA5dT8/s1600-h/wipo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280317338473875954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 70px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsrISEybUYNNDOm510sjfrgXoatChAZY6Z8KxIhkK3_CCQ5l6lSaFFN9ZpEwukhGrtOKzyVTytzv788HNJ966QEu0ubYWDu9ripiYeS6WP_rsv4fqaq84RwOkhgB9mo4GTMewVwA5dT8/s200/wipo.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">A <a href="http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2008/article_0067.html">press release</a> by WIPO indicates that following the approval by Member states of a revised program and budget on December 12, 2008 the Orgainization has initiated a comprehensive program of strategic change in the direction and work “to enable the Organization to respond more effectively to the rapidly evolving technological, cultural and geo-economic environment.”<br />The revised program and budge sets out nine strategic goals including- </div><br /><div align="justify">.balanced evolution of the international normative framework for IP,<br />.facilitating use of IP for development,<br />.provision of premier global IP services, </div><br /><div align="justify">.building respect for IP;<br />.developing global IP infrastructure;<br />.responsive communication;<br />.becoming the world reference source for IP information; and<br />.addressing IP in relation to global policy challenges, such as climate change, public health and food security.<br /><br />The program under the direct supervision of the Director General, is dedicated to ensuring effective coordination of work to implement the WIPO Development Agenda and 22 posts will be created to address critical skills gaps in the Organization.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-67795643762044228222008-12-16T10:09:00.002+03:002008-12-16T10:17:46.572+03:00Geographical indications for Kenyan coffee<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uzqXZb8tLTaPLcPKYu8YWrUl1Hca3XZsHx4uCNXavt2pRpvJu_Y72N2ljkmU8nJtppO_4NBdn14ih9lgQEk7U_HlyP8eexFpw9MmWiTm87-RSmjFRzf31wTASxtT9SbDVWIzGhKPK-4/s1600-h/cup_of_coffee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280281878127076098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uzqXZb8tLTaPLcPKYu8YWrUl1Hca3XZsHx4uCNXavt2pRpvJu_Y72N2ljkmU8nJtppO_4NBdn14ih9lgQEk7U_HlyP8eexFpw9MmWiTm87-RSmjFRzf31wTASxtT9SbDVWIzGhKPK-4/s200/cup_of_coffee.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">The current issue of WIPO magazine carries an <a href="http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2008/06/article_0009.html">article</a> on some famous appellation of origin (a special kind of geographical indication (GI) consisting of a geographical name used on products which essentially derive certain quality or characteristic from the geographical region). The article gives examples of products such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosciutto">Parma ham</a> from Italy, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tequila">Tequila</a> from Mexico and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feta_cheese">Feta cheese</a> from Greece, which are identified by consumers using their geographical names. </div><div align="justify"><br />Closer home and as reported in the Daily nation <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/502166/-/view/printVersion/-/u5br9mz/-/index.html">here</a>, a seminar on GI sponsored by the French Embassy was held last week in Nairobi. The report indicates that in order to raise demand and possibly raise prices for Kenyan coffee in the international market the Government with the assistance of France plans to brand coffee according the respective regions of origin. </div><div align="justify"><br />From French experience, the process of obtaining a geographical indication is long, first involving detailed scientific tests of the regions to demonstrate their uniqueness that gives rise to the distinctiveness of the products from those regions. Moreover, the relevant bodies need to be set up to administer the system and control use of the GI. </div><div align="justify"><br />From the report, it appears that certain studies have already been undertaken in Nyeri and Kirinyaga districts where 178 samples were tested for their intensity, aroma, bitterness, acidity and other qualities. In addition, the legal framework is being worked out, and a draft Geographical Indications Bill is in the pipeline.</div><br /><p> </p><p>Previous post on GI branding for tea <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/03/gi-branding-for-indian-tea.html">here</a></p>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-70898191623306336822008-11-26T10:47:00.002+03:002008-11-26T10:50:53.018+03:00Primer on Copyright protection for artists<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqMNnB1qbvnLPwhyphenhyphen5ueZgu0Pxih1ronyR6Lbw_29vPuqBwTmuPf4M-NXY5iO1SLXHToYlOfu2png-VHrphmet0Zh32u_g_NG8WE14p3Rs8feMetdphSvXdex-lL_8wdCxdNCjhouUVzQ/s1600-h/kenya.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272870500537293442" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqMNnB1qbvnLPwhyphenhyphen5ueZgu0Pxih1ronyR6Lbw_29vPuqBwTmuPf4M-NXY5iO1SLXHToYlOfu2png-VHrphmet0Zh32u_g_NG8WE14p3Rs8feMetdphSvXdex-lL_8wdCxdNCjhouUVzQ/s200/kenya.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Business daily carries an <a href="http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11456&Itemid=5848">article</a> by <a href="mailto:cathymputhia@gmail.com">Cathy Mputhia</a> on how artists’ creations are protected by the copyright law in Kenya. Despite the writer using the words copyright and mark interchangeably, the piece briefly touches on rights available, the criteria for protection of the work, administration, offences and penalties provided under the Copyright Act of 2001 for infringement of the rights.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-85446330360375564752008-07-16T14:38:00.004+03:002008-07-16T14:56:24.937+03:00New Copyright body for Southern and Eastern Africa<div align="justify">According to <a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index.php?p=1149">Intellectual Property Watch</a>, a new copyright body, Southern and Eastern Africa Copyright Network (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SEACONET</span>) has been formed to strengthen regional collaboration and cooperation in the field of creative industries, copyright and related rights.<br /><br />The Malawi based body comprising of seventeen African countries will also focus on fighting piracy and harmonisation of copyright laws in the 17 affiliated sub-Saharan African countries.<br /><br />According to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IPwatch</span> report, the need to create the body is due to the lack of a regional forum where issues relating to the promotion and protection of creative industries, copyright and related rights could be discussed.<br />The body, according to <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806200667.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Allafrica</span>.com</a> is to come up with new methods of combating piracy in the region and to create an information database for artistic and cultural activities.<br />The countries involved are Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-49818573825991464902008-07-16T09:52:00.003+03:002008-12-10T01:51:31.416+03:00Preventive treatment of Malaria reduces anaemia and improves classroom attention in school children<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8azpzolHA9aSO5ttpLMTmYJbBw2r4DGSXsJTugQfDvlSgWxO8gOeQguZ-y47EvYrtunSiGa0iagYZuQAK5dvQ2QbUTFr8Oxjk14KGyMMXX7YQxPZHCmnsYYOMEtmzkYIMgzXELT5AuJc/s1600-h/amodiaquine.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223501886984224114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="amodiaquine structure" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8azpzolHA9aSO5ttpLMTmYJbBw2r4DGSXsJTugQfDvlSgWxO8gOeQguZ-y47EvYrtunSiGa0iagYZuQAK5dvQ2QbUTFr8Oxjk14KGyMMXX7YQxPZHCmnsYYOMEtmzkYIMgzXELT5AuJc/s200/amodiaquine.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">According to a research report published in the current issue of the <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS014067360861034X/fulltext">Lancet</a>, preventive treatment for malaria reduces the prevalence of malaria infection and anaemia among schoolchildren, and significantly improves their classroom attention. However, in contrast to a study done in Sri Lanka, the study did not find improvement in educational achievement among the children.<br /><br />The study by a team of scientists from Kenya, UK and US, and funded by Gates malaria Partnership was carried out in 30 primary schools in Western Kenya among children aged 5-8 years who were given the treatment at 4 months interval.<br /><br />The report further observes that even though some children did not complete the dose of treatment because of the bitter taste of the malarial drug <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amodiaquine">amodiaquine</a>, the outcome was similar among the children who received complete and incomplete treatment.<br /><br />According to the report, the findings illustrate the “possible gains of integrating malaria control into broader school health programmes” and there may need for further research to investigate any long-term educational benefits.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-63079759665770578332008-06-30T15:51:00.003+03:002008-12-10T01:51:31.599+03:00Mark of quality may make goods disappear from market<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4DY__PsyH2V54LTNaqZOeD21EMVF3LpSTf1YLiE8d-91F_2nLP344O2N-nPbQA3PncJMl8rHfL0E2OVkaPu3a7axrz8UHij8k8WnLdeXBHVFex9T_ZgtaeAHoRuWw8evq7XU2BYwHbs/s1600-h/eac.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217656643887486050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4DY__PsyH2V54LTNaqZOeD21EMVF3LpSTf1YLiE8d-91F_2nLP344O2N-nPbQA3PncJMl8rHfL0E2OVkaPu3a7axrz8UHij8k8WnLdeXBHVFex9T_ZgtaeAHoRuWw8evq7XU2BYwHbs/s200/eac.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">According to <a href="http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8481&Itemid=5822">Business Daily</a> some consumer goods not bearing the East African Standardisation mark may be removed from supermarket shelves from tomorrow. This is in line with the requirement for all locally manufactured goods to bear the quality mark as agreed by the by the EAC members states.<br /><br />According to the report, Nakumatt Supermarket has issued a notice of its intention to remove all non conforming goods from its shelves as the deadline for compliance takes effect in all the EAC countries from 1st July 2008.<br /><br />As previously <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/06/fake-products-flood-kenyan-market.html">posted</a> here, Kenya Bureau of Standards has consistently alerted Kenyan manufacturers of the requirement for their manufactured goods to carry its standard seal indicating that their quality has been certified. However IP Kenya is sceptical of the extent to which adhering to the standard will advance the stated objective of eradicating the menace of counterfeiting and substandard products in the region.<br /><br />To beat the deadline the counterfeiters may have moved ahead and put their act together to “comply” with the requirement by branding their products with the quality mark. As a recent <a href="http://www.saflii.org/cgi-bin/disp.pl/ug/cases/UGCommC/2008/29.html?query=passing%20off">case</a> in Uganda demonstrates, at least some counterfeiters are ahead of the deadline and have branded their products with the diamond quality mark.<br /><br />As reported <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/06/fake-products-flood-kenyan-market.html">here</a> and <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/06/bic-incovenienced.html">here</a> the case concerned importation into Uganda of counterfeits BIC pens by a Ugandan company Wenbara Trading Company Ltd. The pens were imported from China described as writing plastic materials but on verification by Ugandan Revenue Authority the cargo was found to contain pens marked as “BIC” and “made in Kenya”. The boxes containing the pens were also branded with the diamond mark of Kenya Bureau of Standards and falsely indicating that the pens were made by Haco Industries in Kenya.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-11086352291913923482008-06-30T14:10:00.003+03:002008-12-10T01:51:31.766+03:00Endowment fund for research and innovation<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmDNK3YCcqmY_4t-Y3j2skuZw6y0vB8RcMx4dgIyLnyBTJp9PJwn7OBMb2Ajm8RIitH3_Y5Uk1PMHVdabgY5Kw8nQlzxp1sareuzkrjExqagN_F7MTbD_zY-5wIdItcR6oDED9Li8Sgo/s1600-h/knas_logo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217630801475709090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmDNK3YCcqmY_4t-Y3j2skuZw6y0vB8RcMx4dgIyLnyBTJp9PJwn7OBMb2Ajm8RIitH3_Y5Uk1PMHVdabgY5Kw8nQlzxp1sareuzkrjExqagN_F7MTbD_zY-5wIdItcR6oDED9Li8Sgo/s200/knas_logo.gif" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="justify">A report in the <a href="http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=126248">Nation</a> reveals that the government will in the next financial year establish a Ksh 250 million endowment fund to support research and innovation. The disclosure is attributed to the Permanent Secretary in the <a href="http://www.scienceandtechnology.go.ke/">Ministry of Higher Education Science and Technology</a> Prof Crispus Kiamba who was opening a regional scientific workshop organized by the <a href="http://www.knascience.org/">Kenya National Academy of Sciences</a>. Prof Kiamba is also reported to have disclosed that a Science, Technology and Innovation policy paper will be presented to the cabinet for deliberation.<br /><br /><strong>Comments</strong><br />It is not clear whether this fund is the same or is a supplement to the fund outlined by the Minister for Finance during the budget speech (see earlier post <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/06/2008-budget-300-million-fund-to-promote.html">here</a>) to promote science, technology and innovation.<br /><br />However it may appear that the two funds are separate components since the budget speech proposal was for Ksh. 300 million and in the current financial year whereas the latest proposal will be implemented from the next financial year.<br /><br />IP Kenya can only (re)reiterate what the Minister for Finance said during the budget speech that science, technology and innovation will play an important role in driving the country’s growth through promotion of efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. </div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-82983017331605811382008-06-30T12:13:00.002+03:002008-12-10T01:51:31.876+03:00Sweet dose for malaria patients<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDekPDzKVdrOenGtjIlpAc1uyAAiflJr1Eq2PqzjOFm8Sjt7cDYOORS7xaq72Yd3zbwoM9oA0lqr_qd7TPxQTmf42GR3RQgNpYct2Z67MzWm9paP7g9iFRUkg3b_wG32h4dEv1leb_68/s1600-h/artemisinin.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217601989035066210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDekPDzKVdrOenGtjIlpAc1uyAAiflJr1Eq2PqzjOFm8Sjt7cDYOORS7xaq72Yd3zbwoM9oA0lqr_qd7TPxQTmf42GR3RQgNpYct2Z67MzWm9paP7g9iFRUkg3b_wG32h4dEv1leb_68/s200/artemisinin.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Writing in the Daily Nation’s Horizons magazine, Gatonye Gathura <a href="http://www.nationmedia.com/DailyNation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=30&newsid=126080">reports</a> that scientist have artificially produced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisinin">artemisinin</a>, the compound used for treatment of malaria, and within 3 years it will be possible to produce enough to treat all malaria cases in the world.<br /><br />He reports that in a research funded by <a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/">Gates foundation</a>, the scientists have produced artemisinin from yeast in a process similar to that of brewing bear and the partnership with <a href="http://en.sanofi-aventis.com/">Sanofi-Aventis</a> is gearing up for industrial production of the drug.<br /><br />While this is good news for malaria patients, this new scientific development will deal a big blow to farmers in the country who have recently taken up farming the artemisinin producing herb-artemisia annua. Reportedly the farmers on average are making Ksh 20,000 annually from a ¼ acre of land from cultivating the herb which is in demand especially by Swiss pharmaceutical company <a href="http://www.novartis.com/">Norvatis </a>which is a major manufacturer of the malaria drug.<br /><br />The process of producing artemisinin by extracting it from the dried leaves of the herb is labourious, making the cost of the drug expensive for malaria patients- especially in developing countries.It is hoped that the new method of producing artemisinin will dramaticaly bring down the price of treatment to the level of making it the cheapest anti-malarial drug. </div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-62765945938552040222008-06-13T10:22:00.003+03:002008-12-10T01:51:32.046+03:002008 Budget: 300 million fund to promote science, technology and innovation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoRvWd1RhFL-d5GMtxdGYZ4smCEN4L915kvh5QcathXAsNJMXk5irZE33RLOyIKu89FenpZPYH4km9DVuMSfuy0hvxAJc6KcAcqIwfWb4A_-xOfqyuXNVL45gl7d5gzYTRtvgYia254M/s1600-h/kimunya.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211269842925100930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoRvWd1RhFL-d5GMtxdGYZ4smCEN4L915kvh5QcathXAsNJMXk5irZE33RLOyIKu89FenpZPYH4km9DVuMSfuy0hvxAJc6KcAcqIwfWb4A_-xOfqyuXNVL45gl7d5gzYTRtvgYia254M/s200/kimunya.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>In his <a href="http://www.treasury.go.ke/budget_documents/Budget%20_Speech_2008.pdf">budget speech</a>, the Minister for finance Hon. Amos Kimunya has outlined a number of proposals to promote science technology and innovation in order to enhance growth and employment in the country. To achieve the long term growth of the country he proposed several measures in key sectors of the economy. One of the 5 key measures meant to spur higher productivity and expanded employment opportunities is promotion of industrial research, technology and innovation<br /><br />He reiterated that science, technology and innovation will play an important role in driving the country’s growth through promotion of efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.<br /><br />To entrench a culture of science, technology and innovation, he said the government will introduce several proposals for debate in parliament including;<br /><br /></p><br /><ul><br /><li>A national policy for science, technology and innovation</li><br /><li>A bill to upgrade the <a href="http://www.ncst.go.ke/">National Council of Science and Technology</a> to the National Commission of Science and Technology</li><br /><li>Creation of the National Science Foundation and National Innovation Agency.<br /><br /></li></ul><br /><p>He also said that the government recognizes the critical role played by SMEs as catalysts for economic transformation and industrialization. To this end the government will facilitate SMEs growth. The government will also facilitate expansion of business incubation services to support over 100 additional enterprises and creation of 100 software development enterprises.<br /><br />To achieve these objectives the Minister allocated Ksh. 300 million towards innovation and piloting program covering various projects such as;<br /></p><br /><ul><br /><li>Fish leather processing in Kisumu</li><br /><li>Mango processing in Malindi, Kerio Valley and Muranga</li><br /><li>Mini-leather processing in Garissa, Pokot, Migori and Bungoma</li><br /><li>Honey processing in Eldama Ravine, Kajiado and TARDA regions</li><br /><li>Cashew nut and palm wine processing in Kwale and Malindi</li><br /><li>Fruit processing in Meru, Tharka Nithi and Kendu Bay</li><br /><li>Rehabilitation and upgrading of technology for a leather development center in Nairobi.</li></ul>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-50675958329752421882008-06-09T14:02:00.005+03:002008-12-10T01:51:32.130+03:00Fake products flood the Kenyan Market<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDNVSfy4sZHVo-LVziAv41_-MoffqUkfyk0nqK3dXzKUF5kivYcdkOxiKWO1n7cyzrtMGrZMeMzBbUvLazaLH2n0FmO0NMnDD4MrSJNDZylj7xNFh6iJ02T4wzCPcZY0VxFAXibsxNsc/s1600-h/kebs4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209839903664498594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDNVSfy4sZHVo-LVziAv41_-MoffqUkfyk0nqK3dXzKUF5kivYcdkOxiKWO1n7cyzrtMGrZMeMzBbUvLazaLH2n0FmO0NMnDD4MrSJNDZylj7xNFh6iJ02T4wzCPcZY0VxFAXibsxNsc/s200/kebs4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.nationmedia.com/">Daily Nation</a> reports that the Kenyan market is flooded by fake products, and the situation is being made worse by the current economic hardship in which the purchasing power has gone down.<br /><br />Some of the imported counterfeits are marked as “made in Kenya” and with fake Kenya Bureau of Standard diamond mark. The situation is worse where even anti malaria drugs have not been spared, with 1 in every 5 drugs suspected to be harmful.<br /><br />The report indicates whereas most of the products are imported the trade is expanding locally especially in Nairobi where fake cooking oil, maize flour and alcoholic drinks are manufactured and the goods are then sold in neighbouring countries.<br /><br />The practice is affecting not only the economy but many local manufacturing companies who have to endure the unfair business practices. <a href="http://www.haco.co.ke/">Haco Industries</a>, a local manufacturing company is reported to be losing Ksh 100 Million every year as a result of counterfeiting of one of its brands, BIC biro pens. Sometimes the counterfeit is so similar to the genuine product that even the brand owners may not tell the difference.<br /><br />It is reported that <a href="http://www.kebs.org/">Kenya Bureau of standards</a> has directed that from July this year all manufactured goods in Kenya will be required to carry standard seals indicating that their quality has been certified. It is debatable whether this new directive will help. The mark can easily be applied on counterfeit products as a recent case in Uganda demonstrates.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.saflii.org/cgi-bin/disp.pl/ug/cases/UGCommC/2008/29.html?query=passing%20off">case</a> concerned importation into Uganda of counterfeits BIC pens by a Ugandan company Wenbara Trading Company Ltd. The pens were imported from China described as writing plastic materials. However on verification by Ugandan Revenue Authority the cargo was found to contain pens marked as “BIC” and “made in Kenya”.<br /><br />Tellingly the 852 boxes containing the pens had a diamond quality mark of Kenya Bureau of Standards. And even though the cargo was imported from china, the boxes containing the pens also indicated that they were made by Haco Industries in Kenya.<br /><br />To address the counterfeit menace, the anti counterfeit bill (reported <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/03/war-on-counterfeits.html">here</a>) which proposes establishment of an anti counterfeit agency will be tabled in parliament this year. It will be recalled that this bill has been pending for a number of years now.<br /><br />However the war on counterfeit activities will not be won by creating layers and layers of laws. In addition to enacting new laws and regulations it also important that they be enforced.<br /><br />More on anti counterfeiting measures in neighbouring Tanzania <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/06/tanzania-devises-new-measures-to.html">here</a> and <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/03/war-on-counterfeits.html">here</a></div><div>Countefeit horror <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/04/counterfeit-horror.html">here</a>.</div>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-10260078736456303992008-05-27T10:15:00.006+03:002008-05-27T10:51:24.542+03:00Puzzling ruling in Sanitam saga<div align="left"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IP</span> Kenya has come across an interesting patent infringement ruling in 2001 by the late Justice Peter John Smithson Hewett. Once again the plaintiff is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sanitam</span>, seeking an injunction against a company by the name <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ANIPEST</span> Kenya Limited for infringement of the now famous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ARIPO</span> patent No AP 773 relating to a foot operated sanitary/litter bin. (Earlier posts on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sanitam</span> bin can be found <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/05/sanitam-at-it-again-on-patent.html">here</a> and <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/04/sanitam-episode-2-another-injunction.html">here</a>.)<br /><br />Even though the Court of Appeal, in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sanitam</span> Services (E.A.) Ltd v <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rentokil</span> Kenya Ltd & another [2006] <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">eKLR</span> (<a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/04/sanitam-episode-2-another-injunction.html">posted here</a>), acknowledged the complexity of adjudicating intellectual Property disputes, the present case takes the meaning of the word "complex" a notch higher. Apart from his tirade generally directed at what he perceived to be shortcomings of the repealed Industrial Property Act, one cannot fail to observe how his Honour meticulously scrutinizes the abstract and decisively concludes that the invention is not novel.<br /><br />The case is reproduced here in full. </div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">REPUBLIC OF KENYA<br />IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MILIMANI</span> COMMERCIAL COURTS<br />CIVIL CASE NO. 1898 OF 2000<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">SANITAM</span> SERVICES (E.A) LIMITED………………….PLAINTIFF<br />VERSUS<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ANIPEST</span> KENYA LIMITED AND ANOTHER………….DEFENDANTS<br />RULING </span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">It is hardly surprising that the Law of Patents especially in Africa should be [cause] for difficulty. For long the registration and policy of patents has essentially been dealt with in the First World with registration in African countries of such (mainly English) patents forming the basis of protection.<br />It is not surprising either that African countries have sought to exert their own authority over patents but that only comparatively recently. It is a complicated area both legally and scientifically so it is hardly surprising that we have a few hiccups as will be seen from what follows: </span></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I start with Kenya Industrial Property Act (CAP 509) which came into force on 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">nd</span> February 1990.<br />That contains in section 2 some definitions relevant to this case, although other definitions crop up haphazardly in the legislation as the draftsman needed them. </span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ARIPO</span>” means the African Regional Industrial Property Organization.<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">ARIPO</span> Protocol” means the protocol on patents and industrial designs adopted at Harare in December 1994.<br />“invention” means a new and useful art (whether producing a physical effect or not), process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter which is not obvious, or any new and useful improvements thereof which is not obvious, capable of being used or applied in trade or industry and includes an alleged inventions;<br />“Tribunal” means the industrial Property Tribunal established under section 118;<br />“utility model” means any form, configurations or disposition of elements of some appliance, utensil, tool, electrical and electronic circuitry, instrument, handicraft mechanism of other object or any part of the same allowing a better or different functioning, use, or manufacture of the same subject matter or that gives some utility, advantage, environmental benefit, saving or technical effect not available in Kenya before and includes micro-organisms or other self-replicable material, herbal as well as nutritional; formulations which give new effect.<br />It hardly helps understand the legislation that section 6(1) alters the definition of “invention” for the purposes of part III <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">patentability</span>.<br />“6(1) for the purpose of this part, “invention means a solution to a specific problem in the field of technology”. Does this mean that the solution no longer has to be new? The solution to that is in Section 7.<br />“7. An invention is patentable if it is new, involves an inventive step and is industrially applicable”.<br />Section 9 explains “inventive step” thus:-<br />“9. An invention shall be considered as involving an inventive step if, having regard to the prior art relevant to the application claiming the invention, it would not have been obvious to a person skilled in the art which the invention pertains on the date of filing of application or, if priority is claimed, on the priority date validly claimed in respect thereof.”<br />Section 10 explains “industrially applicable”<br />“10. An invention shall be considered industrially applicable if, according to its nature, it can be made or used (in the technological sense) in any kind of industry, including agriculture, fishery and services.”<br />It comes as no surprise to find that “new” does not mean new at all. In Section 8(1) “an invention is new if it is not anticipated by prior art; “prior art” is explained thus in Section 8(2).<br />“8. (2) For the purpose of this Act, everything made available to the public by means of written disclosure (including drawings and other illustrations) or by oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other non-written means shall be considered prior art provided that such making available occurred before the date of filing of the application or, if priority is claimed, before the priority date validly claimed in respect thereof.”<br />Part VI deals with international applications and in Section 32 states:<br />“32 (1) The Office shall act as a receiving office where an international application is filed with it and the applicant is a national or resident of Kenya.<br />(2) The office shall act as a designated office in the case of any international application in which the country is designated.<br />(3) A patent in respect of which Kenya is a designated state granted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ARIPO</span> by virtue of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ARIPO</span> protocol shall have the same effect in Kenya as a patent granted under this Cat unless the Director communicates to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">ARIPO</span>, in respect of the application thereof, a decision in accordance with the provisions of the protocol that if a patent is granted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">ARIPO</span> that patent shall have no effect in Kenya.”<br />Section 32(3) is relevant to a decision in this case.<br />The rights of an owner of a patent are set out in section 36 which states:<br />“36. The owner of the patent shall have the right to preclude any person from exploiting the protected invention by any of the following acts-<br />a) when the patent has been granted in respect of a product -<br />(i) making, importing, offering for sale, selling and using the product; or<br />(ii) stocking such product for the purposes of offering it for sale, selling or using the product;<br />(b) when the patent has been granted in respect of a process -<br />(i) using the process; or<br />(ii) doing any of the acts referred to in paragraph (a), in respect of a product<br />obtained directly by means of the process.”<br />Under Section 39(1) the life of a patent is seven years from the date for the application <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">extendable</span> upon application for two periods of five years making 7+5+5=17 years.<br />The Act goes [on] to provide for “utility models” and for “industrial designs”- the latter defined in Section 72(1).<br />“72 (1) For the purposes of this Act, “an Industrial design” means any composition of lines or colours or any three dimensional form whether or nor associated with lines or colours, provided that such composition or form fives a special appearance to a product of industry or handicraft and can serve as pattern for a product of industry or handicraft.”<br />I have been unable to find what protection the registration of a utility model confers on the holder: the registered owner of an industrial design does get protection under Section 73(1) for 5 years plus 2 plus 2-total nine years.<br />Of course throughout the legislation there are decisions to be taken by the Kenya Industrial Property Office established under Section 3(1) but some of its decisions are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">appealable</span> to the Tribunal.<br />No Tribunal has yet been appointed so the proper functioning of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">KIPO</span> to that extent is stillborn 10 years after the Act became law.<br />So that is some, but by no means all of the legislative background. Suffice it to say it was a brave attempt but it needs fresh scrutiny to make sense of some of it.<br />What are the facts. I start with what is before me which is an application by the plaintiff for an injunction under order 39 Rules 1 & 2 to restrain the defendants their servants or agents from:<br />-Trading in production of<br />-Selling<br />-Pass(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ing</span>) off<br />Dealing in any way </span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">With a foot-operated sanitary bin. In a word the plaintiff claims infringement of a patent and passing off.<br />Passing-off was not addressed in argument and was not pressed.<br />It is worth while referring back at this point to the protection granted a patent by Section 36.<br />What is given is the right to prevent any other person from<br />-making<br />-importing<br />-offering for sale<br />-selling<br />-using<br />-stocking<br /><br />I will return to this later. What patents does the plaintiff claim: He claims:<br />1. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">ARIPO</span> patent registration certificate AP 773 dated 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">th</span> October 1999 having effect in 5 African countries including Kenya. Application No. 19980904 for Foot Operated Sanitary/Litter Bin but no priority date filled in.<br />Furthermore while then certificate does refer to Rule 20(3) of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">ARIPO</span> Regulations it is unclear for me who promulgated those and I have not seen all of them: what I have stops at Rule 18.<br />In terms of Section 32(3) the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">ARIPO</span> patent has effect as if it were a patent registered in Kenya unless <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">KIPO</span> otherwise directs under Section 32(3). The abstract attached to the certificate reads as follows:<br />“A foot operated litter/sanitary disposal bin comprising a container (1) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">closeable</span> by a cover (2), with a disposal lid (3) at the top, with the disposal lid being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">displaceable</span>, by a foot operated pedal (4) and a lift level (5), to move between open and closed positions. The bin is defined such that the user cannot see the contents of the container (1), waste scavengers cannot have access to the contents, emission of unpleasant odour is reduced and the contents cannot spill out if the bin is overturned.”<br />The claims and drawings are exhibited as are some photographs. I numbered the reverse of the photos 1-18: Nos 1-5 are of the bins in question. Nos 6, 7 & 8 are the bins in question hired out by the 1st defendant and Nos. 9-18 are other foot operated bins.<br />In addition the Plaintiff made an application to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">KIPO</span> on 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">th</span> September,1997 and has an application number <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">KE</span>/AP/P797/00218. He exhibited a letter dated 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">th</span> November 1997 which includes the odd paragraph.<br />“Meanwhile you can go ahead and work the invention as it is assumed the invention is patentable until this office informs you otherwise after substantive examination”.<br />I have referred to Section 25 which sets out what the Director of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">KIPO</span> does on receipt of an application. There is no basis in that section for the “assumption” that the invention is patentable as stated in the letter of 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">th</span> November 1997.<br />It is all very well having <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">ARIPO</span> as some sort of supra national authority but unless the domestic laws of participating countries mirror the international ones-which were not put before me- you have all the ingredients for catastrophic legal muddles. For example it is very unclear what would happen in this case if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">KIPO</span> rejected a prospective patent which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">ARIPO</span> had already registered: presumably <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">KIPO</span> would notify <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">ARIPO</span> under Section 32(3) that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">ARIPO</span> patent had no validity in Kenya.<br />Assuming as I do, that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">ARIPO</span> rules of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">patentability</span> are the same as or very similar to those of Kenya, I return to the abstract to see what it tells me particularly about novelty.<br />“A foot operated litter/sanitary disposal bin comprising a container (1)[”:] nothing novel there;<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">closeable</span> by a cover (2)”: nothing novel there either: a disposal lid(3)”-still nothing novel:<br />“at the top, with the disposal lid being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">displaceable</span> by a foot operated pedal (4)”: still nothing novel:<br />“and a lift lever (5)…” nothing novel,<br />“to move between open and closed positions. The bin is defined such that the user cannot see the contents of the container, waste scavengers cannot have access to the contents, emission of unpleasant odour is reduced and the contents cannot spill out if the bin is overturned.”<br />I only have to look at this matter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">facie</span>. Are all these attributes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">facie</span> novel. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">facie</span> they seem to be to me on evidence many many years old: certainly they do not seem to me to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">facie</span> novel-which is all I have to consider.<br />There is one other point to consider. The 1st Defendant hires out bins to others who use them. It does not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">facie</span> seem to me that it comes within the protection afforded by Section 36. That section may be inadequate but so is much of the Act.<br />The 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">nd</span> Defendant designed his own bin; applied on 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">th</span> August 1999 for it to be registered as an industrial design.<br />Registration was effected under Certificate No. 136 on 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">th</span> November 1999. The Act confers protection on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">regisreed</span> industrial design, but fails to specify what happens if the same object is the subject of a patent and an industrial design at the same time by different people. Priority appears to be accorded by date of application-in respect of Kenya applications: the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">ARIPO</span> situation was not addressed.<br /><br />I doubt that the plaintiff has a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">facie</span> case and I doubt that it has probability of success. Further I consider that damages would be an adequate remedy. If it came to balance of convenience, I would consider that balance favoured the status <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">quo</span>. In the meantime perhaps the Government of Kenya can set up ‘the Tribunal”. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">ARIPO</span> can reconsider sensibly what is “new” and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Plaintiff</span> can re-assess whether the lid-the only part of the invention that just might be new would qualify as an “industrial design” or a “utility model”.<br /><br />This application is dismissed with costs.<br />Dated at Nairobi this 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">th</span> day of March, 2001.<br /><br />P.J.S. HEWETT<br />JUDGE<br /><br />References:<br /><br />Kenya Industrial Property Act (CAP 509)<br />Central Kenya Limited vs. Tryst Bank Limited CA 215/1996.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Mohammed</span> and Another vs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">Haidara</span> 1972 EA 166.<br />Brooke Bond vs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">Chai</span> Ltd 1971 EA 10<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">Giella</span> vs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">Cassman</span> Brown 1973 EA 358.<br />Terrell: Law of Patents 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">th</span> Edition.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">Beecham</span> Group vs. International Products 1968 EA 398.<br /></span></div></span></span>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-44508701778411222442008-05-23T11:34:00.001+03:002008-05-23T11:37:53.378+03:00Sanitam at it again on patent infringementAs reported <a href="http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=123782">here</a> by the Nation, Sanitam Services has taken another company to court for infringing its patent AP 773 relating to a sanitary bin. According to the report Sanitam wants Hygiene Bins stopped from supplying bins infringing the patent.<br /><br />In disputing the infringement claim, Hygiene Bins argued that its bins are imported from Malaysia and that Sanitam is harassing companies dealing in sanitary bins.<br /><br />It appears that Sanitam is using both civil and criminal provisions provided for in the Industrial Property Act to fight off others who it perceives to be infringing its patent. Section 109 of the Act stipulates that any intentional infringement of a patent constitutes an offence punishable with a fine of between Ksh. 10,000 and Ksh 50,000 or imprisonment for 3 to 5 years.<br /><br />A week a go a number of executives whose companies were dealing with sanitary bins were taken to court on criminal charges for infringing the same patent.<br /><br />In February this year as reported <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/04/sanitam-episode-2-another-injunction.html">here</a> Sanitam obtained an interlocutory injunction against Nairobi Bins for the same patent and in 2006 it obtained permanent injunction against Rentokil in the Court of Appeal.<br /><br />The latest onslaught comes after the decision by <a href="http://www.aripo.org/">ARIPO</a> removing the patent from the register for non payment of renewal fees was rescinded by the <a href="http://aripo.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=32&Itemid=30">Board of Appeal</a>.Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-29797553529483102992008-05-06T10:06:00.003+03:002008-12-10T01:51:32.526+03:00KOPIKEN puts photocopying Bureaus on notice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA3y2iOylyH_xVg905DhyphenhyphenXB6GwosG6qscAkK73ir93HLNrrU61goBj1gub9I0oFuUOhJ3tn4ackPyTNABKkX82Kq-4jst4EitGS65L6hO6i3RxJmOPZIe1kHOSCV8qIeY92uIuUTr1s8/s1600-h/kopiken.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA3y2iOylyH_xVg905DhyphenhyphenXB6GwosG6qscAkK73ir93HLNrrU61goBj1gub9I0oFuUOhJ3tn4ackPyTNABKkX82Kq-4jst4EitGS65L6hO6i3RxJmOPZIe1kHOSCV8qIeY92uIuUTr1s8/s200/kopiken.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197159312744163426" border="0" /></a><br /><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-GB">In a notice by the “Chairman”, <a href="http://www.kopiken.org/">KOPIKEN</a>, which is variously described as “the Reproduction Rights Organization of Kenya and the body mandated by the Kenya Copyright Board to collect royalties on behalf of relevant right holders within <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>”, has put on notice commercial photocopying bureaus requiring such bureaus to obtain licences for “reproduction of copyright protected material”. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p><br />KOPIKEN is also targeting bureaus and shops offering associated services such as scanning, digitizing and “other forms of reproduction.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p><br />The notice sternly warns, “any unauthorized copying will attract civil penalties and criminal sanctions” under section 38 of the Copyright Act.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span><br /><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Comments<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The notice is too brief and couched in not a user-friendly language. As way of educating and informing not only the photocopying bureaus but also the common <i style="">wananchi</i> offering commercial photocopying services, KOPIKEN should have at least expounded the requirements of the law in a user-friendly language.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style=""> </span>First, it is not clear how the phrase “within <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>” ought to be interpreted. It is debatable whether it means that KOPIKEN “collects royalties within <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>” or that KOPIKEN collects royalties on behalf of “rights holders within <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>.” By all means the former is true and the question is whether that mandate is restricted to representing right holders who are in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> as the later meaning seems to suggest.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p><br />Secondly, the notice is not very clear whom exactly KOPIKEN is targeting to licence. In one paragraph, the notice says it is an offence under section 38 of the Copyright Act to carry out photocopying business without a KOPIKEN licence. Yet in another paragraph, the notice seems to specifically target “reproducers of copyright protected materials.” The question is whether anybody offering commercial photocopying services is required to be KOPIKEN licensed or whether the licence only applies to reproducers of copyright protected materials. Ideally, it is possible to operate a photocopying business without reproducing copyright protected materials.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p><br />Lastly, though the notice does not say so, presumably, the licence comes at a fee, and KOPIKEN perhaps ought to first visit the Universities, which as reported <a href="http://ip-kenya.blogspot.com/2008/04/is-kenya-becoming-barbary-coast-for.html">here</a> were recently classified as the worst offenders in photocopying books.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094067829562482853.post-29149542092799918432008-04-28T09:49:00.001+03:002008-04-28T09:52:15.244+03:00Is Kenya becoming a “Barbary Coast” for book pirates?While the world marks intellectual property day tomorrow, 26th April, authors and book publishers in Kenya may not be in the mood to celebrate. High on the heels of a report (reported <a href="http://afro-ip.blogspot.com/2008/04/80-of-trade-marks-counterfeited-in.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&newsid=121641">here</a>) that 80% of local and international brands are counterfeited in Kenya and that 97% of local music is pirated; a report in the Daily Nation (print edition) indicates that authors and publishers in Kenya have “little to write home about” due to rampant piracy of books.<br /><br />It is reported that many authors have been forced to engage in extra jobs to make ends meet. According to the Kenya Publishers Association estimates, the industry loses about Ksh. 6 billion annually through piracy and copyright infringement, with universities being the worst offenders in photocopying books.<br /><br />However it does seem that a ray of hope is on the horizon. While the German and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7355598.stm">French forces</a> are watching the neighbouring Somali coast for the sea pirates, the Kenya Copyright Board has teamed up with the police force to crackdown on copyright offenders and the effort seems to be bearing fruit.<br /><br />The team conducted a raid last month and arrested people found printing books illegally. Tellingly the books were <a href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gf8kyhYA3bwC">The River Between</a> by the renowned Kenyan author <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngugi_wa_Thiong">Prof Ngugi wa Thiongo</a> and <a href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=BnD6IGoHdb8C">An Enemy Of The People</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrik_Ibsen">Henrik Ibsen</a>, both being set books in the secondary school curriculum.<br /><br />Comment<br /><br />While the copyright Act is relatively modern having been enacted in 2001, enforcement has been a major problem and only time will tell whether the combined force of the Copyright Board and the police will this time round manage to put up a permanent river between the two arch enemies.<br /><br />More on Coast of Barbary <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary">here</a>Njugunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377047922169308945noreply@blogger.com1