The United States Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) is the lead agency of a concerted effort involving the governments of France, Japan, South Africa and the United States, alongside the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) to organize the inaugural “Africa Intellectual Property Forum: Intellectual Property, Regional Integration and Economic Growth in Africa” in Cape Town, South Africa from 3-5 April 2012. The CLDP website describes this Forum as a “first -of-its kind ministerial level Forum” that will “focus on the Dynamic Role of Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement in Promoting Knowledge-Based Economies Through Innovation, Trade and Investment.” This type of IP hagiography is reminiscent of former WIPO Director General Kamil Idris’ conviction that “IP was a power tool for economic growth”. This forum is expected to draw 600-800 people from the government and private sector. This event enjoys corporate sponsorship with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)-Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) enjoying platinum level status, Adams & Adams, Caterpillar Inc., Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company and Spoor & Fisher enjoying gold level status and Microsoft Corporation and Pfizer, Inc. enjoying silver level status. A call to the CLDP today on 1 February 2012 at 9:59 AM Eastern Standard Time revealed that platinum level sponsorship costs $50,000 USD, gold level sponsorship costs $25,000 USD and silver level status costs $10,000 USD.
Here is more background on the US Department of Commerce’s CLDP (taken from its website):
Established in 1992, CLDP is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce that helps achieve U.S. foreign policy goals in developing and post-conflict countries through commercial legal reforms. CLDP’s unique, government-to-government technical assistance draws upon highly-experienced regulators, judges, policymakers, business leaders and attorneys from both the public and private sectors to deliver results that make meaningful and lasting changes to the legal and judicial environments of our host countries.
The draft agenda remains curiously silent on the matter of the WIPO Development Agenda, WIPO’s recent work on limitations and exceptions to copyright, the WHO Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation, and Intellectual Property and the WTO Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.
DRAFT AGENDA
Africa IP Forum:
Intellectual Property, Regional Integration and Economic Growth in Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
April 3-5, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 20128h00-8h45 Registration
8h45-9h30 Opening Ceremony
CTICC Auditorium 1Suggested Speakers:(2-3 minutes each; Davies official opening 5-10 mins)
• DG, African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
• DG, African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)
• DDG, World Intellectual Property Organization
• Japanese Representative
• French Representative
• Ambassador Donald Gips, US Ambassador to South Africa
• Dr. Rob Davies, MP, Minister of Trade and IndustrySuggested Moderator:
• Rory Voller, Deputy Commissioner, Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)9h30-11h00 Plenary 1
CTICC Auditorium 1“IP as an Enabler of African Economic and Cultural Development”
Description: Using IP to Promote African Economic Development, Production and Trade
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Khalid Rahel, Chef de la Division de la Preservation du Patrimoine et de l’Innovation (Morocco)
• Ron Layton, Light Years IP
• Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Minister of Education, Ghana• Japan to nominate
• France to nominate
Suggested moderator:
• WIPO DDG11h00-11h30 Coffee/Tea Break
11h30-13h00 Break Out Sessions on Applying IP, Enforcement of IP and the Management & Administration of IP
11h30-13h00 Track 1: Applying Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 1.41-1.44“Scoring with IP”
Description: The Juncture of Sports, Trademarks, Broadcasting and Merchandising in Africa
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• South Africa to nominate (re: World Cup/FIFA or Rugby)
• South Africa to nominate (IOC?)
• South Africa to nominate (broadcasting?)
• Japan to nominate
Suggested moderator:
• Carol Croella or other WIPO
11h30-13h00 Track 2: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
CTICC Meeting Room 1.61-1.64
“Cooperative Approaches to IPR Enforcement”Description: Government Structures for Effective IPR Enforcement, Including the Development of IPR Task Forces, Regional Cooperation, and the Secrets of an Effective IP Law Enforcement Unit
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Omari Muwowo (Zambia)
• Ekizi-Egnim Akala (Togo)
• Patrick Gyan, Chief Collector, RILO National Contact Point, International Affairs, Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division
• Dr. Geoffrey Mariki, DG, or John Mponela, Fair Competition Commission (Tanzania)
Suggested moderator:
• Rich Halverson, Unit Chief, IPR/Outreach & Training, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, IPR Center
• Thierry Tuina (Burkina Faso), Permanent Representative for Interpol
11h30-13h00 Track 3: Management and Administration of Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 2.41-2.46Why CMOs are Important, Status of CMO Development in Africa, and Resources Available from WIPO and International CMOs for the Development of CMOs
Description: Why CMOs are Important and How WIPO and International CMOs Can Help African CMOsPanel:
Suggested speakers:
• David Alexander, Sheer Music(SA)
• Robert Hoojier, Director of African Affairs, International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC)
• Greenfield Chilongo, international Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO), Regional Development Representative (Zimbabwe)
• Irene Vieira (Ivory Coast)
Suggested moderator:
• David Uwemedimo, Director of Creators and Performers Support Division, WIPO
13h00-14h00 Plenary Lunch with Keynote Speaker Cameron F. Kerry, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce
CTICC Ballroom
14h00-15h15 Plenary 2
CTICC Auditorium 1“Dangers of Counterfeit Goods”
Description: Combating Counterfeit Products to Address the Threat to Public Health and Safety on the African Continent
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Mr. Geoffrey Otieno, Sales Director at Sproxil East Africa
• Uche Nwokocha, President, Anti-Counterfeit Coalition, Nigeria
• Mustapha Hajjou, PhD., (Morocco) Program Manager-Africa, Promoting the Quality of Medicines Program, US Pharmacopeia
• Bama O.Yao (Cote d’Ivoire), WCA Hub Coordinator, CropLife Africa Middle East, (Agricultural Inputs-fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides)
• UL representative
Suggested moderator:
• African Minister (South Africa to nominate)15h15-15h45 Coffee/tea break
15h45-17h00 Break Out Sessions on Applying IP, Enforcement of IP and the Management & Administration of IP15h45-17h00 Track 1: Applying Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 1.41-1.44“Promoting African Culture Through IP”
Description: Exchange of Experiences Concerning the Protection and Monetization of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions in Africa
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Light Years IP on commercialization and cultural tourism
• Karyn Temple-Claggett, Senior Counsel, Policy & International Affairs, US Copyright Office
• African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) to nominate
• South Africa to nominate
Suggested moderator:
• Tshepo Shabangu, President, South African Institute of IP Law15h45-17h00 Track 2: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
CTICC Meeting Room 1.61-1.64“An Offer You Can’t Refuse: The Link Between Organized Crime and IP Theft”
“Description: The Global and Regional Trend of Organized Crime and IP Theft and Steps to Combat Criminal Activity
“Panel:
Suggested speakers (proposed 3 only given subject matter):
• Namory Timite (Cote d’Ivoire)
• Colin Denyer, Senior Investigations Manager, Africa – Middle East
Anti Illicit Trade Unit – Intelligence Unit Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa Region (EEMEA), British American Tobacco (BAT)
• Tom Kubic, Pharmaceutical Security Institute
Suggested moderator:
• John Newton, Programme Manager, Intellectual Property Rights Programme, Financial and High-Tech Crime Sub-Directorate, Interpol Secretariat
• Representative of African financial crime/corruption division from Angola or Mozambique-USG to nominate15h45-17h00 Track 3: Management and Administration of Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 2.41-2.46
“Protecting IP on the Broadcast Spectrum”Description: Discussion on Various Approaches to the Protection of Broadcasting Signals in the African Continent
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Bradley Silver, Time Warner (SA)
• Michele Woods, Associate Register for Policy and International Affairs, US Copyright Office
• Nigel Sonariwo, Kenku Enterprises, Nigeria
• WIPO to nominate
Suggested moderator:
• Elizabeth Kendall, US Trade Representative17h00 End of Day 1
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
8h00-9h00 Registration
9h00-10h30 Plenary 3
CTICC Auditorium 1
“Supporting African Competitiveness Through Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Voluntary Technology Transfer”Description: Increasing African Competitiveness Through Innovation Policies, Franchising, Licensing, and Commercialization of R&D
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• James Odek, Dean of Law School, Univ. of Nairobi, Kenya
• Andrew Sherman, Dolby General Counsel on IP-enabled innovation
• Eugene Honey, Director, Bowman Gilfillan on franchising
• Innovation Hub representative – South Africa to nominate
• Caterpillar representative
Suggested moderator:
• Ambassador Betty E. King, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva
10h30-11h00 Coffee/tea break
11h00-12h30 Break Out Sessions on Applying IP, Enforcement of IP and the Management & Administration of IP11h00-12h30 Track 1: Applying Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 1.41-1.44
“Promoting Food Security through IP”Description: Harnessing Agricultural and Biotech Innovation in Africa through IPR
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Mr. Peter Button, Vice Secretary-General, UPOV on Plant Variety Protection Under UPOV Convention: Development of Laws in Africa
• Professor Monty Jones, Executive Director of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in Accra. Past winner of the World Food Prize–New Rice for Africa (NERICA)
• Anatole Krattiger, research professor at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) or Evan Skinyi from Kenya on public-private cooperation
• John H. Costello, the president and co-founder of CNFA on Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Africa: Success Stories
Suggested moderator:
• Japan to nominate
11h00-12h30 Track 2: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
CTICC Meeting Room 1.61-1.64“Practical Keys to Effective IPR Border Enforcement”
Description: Best practices, experiences, and trends in combating counterfeit and piratical goods at the border
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Salihou-Mamadou Sidikou (Benin)
• South Africa to nominate
• ICC-BASCAP member company (ie HP)
• WCO representative
Suggested moderator:
• David Brener, Chief, IPR Operations Branch, IPR Center, US Customs and Border Protection
• Grace Adeyemo, Nigeria Customs11h00-12h30 Track 3: Management and Administration of Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 2.41-2.46“Modernization of IP Infrastructure”
Description: Building African IP Administration Office Infrastructure and Increasing Capacity to Participate in the Knowledge Economy
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Marisella Ouma, Kenya Copyright Board (KeCoBo)
• African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) representative
• African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) representative
• WIPO to nominate
Suggested moderator:
• WIPO IT specialist12h30-13h30 Plenary Lunch with TBD Keynote Speaker
CTICC Ballroom13h30-15h00 Plenary 4
CTICC Auditorium 1
“Intellectual Property Industries as Revenue Producers and Job Creators”Description: Discussion on the Economic Contribution of Copyright-Based Industries in Africa
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Dicken Marshall, Founder of Rafiki Records (Rwanda)
• Minister Cyril Chamos (Tanzania) on value capture
• WIPO to nominate (i.e. GDP studies)
• Musician to be nominated
• Microsoft representative
Suggested moderator:
• Michele Woods, Associate Register for Policy and International Affairs, US Copyright Office15h00-15h30 Coffee/tea break
15h30-17h00 Break Out Sessions on Applying IP, Enforcement of IP and the Management & Administration of IP
15h30-17h00 Track 1: Applying Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 1.41-1.44“A Spotlight on the African Film Industry”
Description: A Dialogue on the Culture and Business Models of Film in Africa
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Franco Saachi, Zambian documentarian of Nollywood, filmmaker in Residence at Boston University.
• Amaka Igwe, film director and CEO of Amaka Igwe Studios.
• Afam Ezekude, Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission
• Kevin Fleischer, Executive Producer of film “Otelo Burning” (South Africa)Suggested moderator:
• Greg Olaniran, Partner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp (MSK)-Back up panelists:
• Desmond Elliott, Nollywood actor
• Zik Zulu Okafor, President of the Nigerian Association of Movie Producers
• Professor Oluyinka Esan
15h30-17h00 Track 2: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
CTICC Meeting Room 1.61-1.64
“View from the Bench: Lessons Learned in the Civil and Criminal Adjudication of IP Cases”Description: A Dialog on the Successes and Challenges Faced by Enforcement Officials in Investigating and Prosecuting IP Crime in the Region
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Justice Olajumoke Olusola Pedro, Lagos State High Court
• Marie-Flore Kouame, Trial Attorney, CCIPS, US Department of Justice
• Senegalese judge-USG to nominate
• Felix Koku Mawusi, Ghanaian prosecutor
Suggested moderator:
• Honorable Judge Bernice B. Donald, US 6th Circuit
• Ret. Judge Louis Harms-South Africa to invite
15h30-17h00 Track 3: Management and Administration of Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 2.41-2.46
“Establishing an African Brand”Description: Exchange of Experiences in Trademark and Geographical Indication Protection and Commercialization
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Getachew Mengestie, IP Consultant (Ethiopia)
• Justin Hughes, US Patent and Trademark Office
• South Africa to nominate SADC region representative
• France to nominate West or Central African
Suggested moderator:
• Gift Sibanda, Director General, African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)17h00 End of day 2
Thursday, April 5, 2012
8h00-9h00 Registration
9h00-10h30 Plenary 5
CTICC Auditorium 1
“Cooperative Approaches to IPR Protection”Description: Discussion on Various Approaches to IPR Protection by National Agencies, Regional Cooperatives, and the Private Sector
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary General, COMESA
• EAC Secretary General or representative
• Stephen Mallowah, CEO, Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Agency
• Hon. Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, Ghana
• Regional Chairman, Unilever
Suggested moderator:
• Assistant Attorney General, US Department of Justice
or Nnamdi Kalu Ezera, Senior Counsel, CLDP
10h30-11h00 Coffee/tea break
11h00-12h30 Break Out Sessions on Applying IP, Enforcement of IP and the Management & Administration of IP
11h00-12h30 Track 1: Applying Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 1.41-1.44“Creating IPR Incentives for Local Innovation and Production of Medicines”
Description: A Dialogue on Possible Approaches to Public-Private Cooperation in Creating the Economic Environment for Incentivizing Local Innovation and Production in the Pharmaceutical Sector
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• Konji Sabati, Director, Department of Traditional Knowledge and Global Challenges, WIPO
• Lawrence Welch, Assistant General Patent Counsel and Director, Global Patent Procurement, Eli Lilly (US)
• Stéphane Drouin, Vice President/International Patents, Pfizer Inc.
• Dr. Solomon Mpoke, CEO, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
• Representative of non-governmental organization involved in WIPO Re:Search Consortium
Suggested moderator:
• Lois Quam, Global Health Initiative11h00-12h30 Track 2: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
CTICC Meeting Room 1.61-1.64“IPR Enforcement in Cyberspace”
Description: A Discussion on How Technological Developments in the
Digital Environment Have Exacerbated Counterfeiting and Pirating Activity, and Possible Steps at Combating Such ActivityPanel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Representative from Mali-USG to nominate
• Tony Abulu, CEO or Caroline Okolo, Director of Operations Film Association of Nigeria (FAN)
• John Robertson, Special Agent, US Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Cyber Investigator, South African Police Service, Computer Crime Investigative Section (name to be provided by US Department of Justice)
Suggested moderator:
• Solomon Monyame (Botswana)
• Justin Hughes, US Patent and Trademark OfficeBackup speaker: Basil Udotai, Chair, Nigeria Cyberwire Working Group-CLDP Outreach
11h00-12h30 Track 3: Management and Administration of Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 2.41-2.46“Compensating Creators”
Description: How Collective Bargaining Ensures that Creators/Performers Earn a Fair Livelihood and Contributes to a Solid, Vibrant Industry
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Dianna Hopeson, Musicians’ Union of Ghana (MUSIGA)
• Dick Matovu, Uganda Musicians’ Union or Abdoul Aziz Dieng, Senegal Musicians’ Union
• Oupa Lebogo, Creative workers union of SA
• American Federation of Musicians representative
Suggested moderator:
• Agnette Haaland, President, International Federation of Actors
12h30-13h30 Plenary Lunch with TBD Keynote Speaker
CTICC Ballroom
13h30-15h00 Plenary 6
CTICC Auditorium 1
“Increasing IP Awareness by Engaging Stakeholders and the Public”Description: A Discussion on IP Awareness in Africa and Possible Methods for Increasing IP Awareness in the Continent
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• ICC-Business Alliance to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy BASCAP
• Kofi Essuman, Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Illicit Trade, Ghana (CACIT)
• WIPO Outreach Services Section, WIPO to nominate (including matchmaking database)
• France to nominate
• Michele Forzley, JD, MPH, Global Public Health Lawyer, Consultant & Professor, Protecting public health with governance and rule of law principles
Suggested moderator:
• Dr. Edou Edou, Director General, African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)15h00-15h30 Coffee/tea break
15h30-17h00 Break Out Sessions on Applying IP, Enforcement of IP and the Management & Administration of IP
15h30-17h00 Track 1: Applying Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 1.41-1.44“Commercializing African Music”
Description: A Primer on Music Commercialization
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• Ralph Simon, Mobilium (SA now in US/UK) on mobile platforms
• Cobhams Asuquo, Nigerian music producer
• Erin McKeown (US artist) on how to record cheaply, build a website and monetize music
• Yoel Kenan, CEO and founder of AFRICORI, SA
Suggested moderator:
• Rose Skelton, journalist (Senegal/UK)
15h30-17h00 Track 2: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
CTICC Meeting Room 1.61-1.64“Guarding Investments Through IP Contracts”
Description: A Discussion on IP Contracts and, in Particular, the Inclusion of Arbitration and Mediation Provisions to Protect the Value of Intellectual Property Assets
Panel:
Suggested speakers (4 to be selected):
• South Africa to nominate South African judge
• Kathryn Park, General Electric
• Representative of Licensing Executive Society and/or INTA from Gabon, Angola and/or Mozambique
• Esmé Du Plessis, Patent Attorney and Senior Consultant, Adams & Adams
Suggested moderator:
• Kevin Rosenbaum, US Patent and Trademark Office
• Prof. Bankole Sodipo, President, IP Law Association of Nigeria15h30-17h00 Track 3: Management and Administration of Intellectual Property
CTICC Meeting Room 2.41-2.46
“Designing for Success: Protecting Product Design and Fashion, and Reaping the Benefits”Description: A Discussion on How Adequate IP Protections for Product and Fashion Designs Create Wealth Building and Investment Opportunities.
Panel:
Suggested speakers:
• African Fashion International (AFI) representative
• WIPO to nominate product/industrial design person
• Patricia Francis, Executive Director, International Trade Center (ITC)
• Eric Raisina, Madagascan fashion designer
Suggested moderator:
• Abioye Ella Oyewole, Attorney Advisor, US Copyright Office17h00-17h30 Closing Ceremony and End of Africa IP Forum