Trademarks Registry trains stakeholders on use of national network centers

The Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments in Collaboration with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has commenced a two days stake holders engagement on Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) workshop on the effectiveness of the National Network Centres.

In his opening address, the chief registrar, Trademarks, Patents and Designs, Barr. William Amuka, said that the objectives of the workshop is to enable stake holders gain the necessary skills to access the various database around the world and to be able to use patent information as well as patent search techniques.

Amuka stated that the registry having considered the need to get the database closer to the people is collaborating with renowned tertiary institutions with interest in outstanding research history where the database will also be domiciled so that stake holders may not need to converge in Abuja to access trademarks and patent information.

“This is the first time that we are creating the national network system that will start from the tertiary institutions. The pool of information in the global system we hope will facilitate quick breakthrough in the process for research and innovations that will be industrially applicable.

“So we hope that the process will begin by linking inventions community with industry through the patent system in contrast to what obtains now that research work are lying idle in the archives of the Universities and Research Institutions” Amuka stated.

The Chief Registrar said that the National Network Centers will expose those indigenous technologies which have remained unknown to the international community and investors, saying that the world is looking unto Nigerian provide the lead in robust research products and major technology breakthroughs.

“The creation of this National Network Center to be coordinated by the Registry of Trademarks, Patent and Deigns ensures that the innovators and creators of ideas are linked up directly to the legal institutions empowered to give protection to those ideas and we believe this is the starting point for innovation and creativity that has reached breakthrough point.

“Nigeria with a population of over 180 million people and over 200 Universities and research Institutions is being looked up to by the global patent community for a robust patent system.

With less than 100 filling per annum, Nigeria is being portrayed as a country where innovation and creative activity is not on the scale that matches its population and number of institutions of higher learning”

Amuka was emphatic that patent is a viable alternative for foreign exchange earnings and a viable source of funding for the tertiary institutions.

“Universities in Developed nations are using Patent System as a source of funds for their activities. The challenge for our universities is to exploit this possibility to reduce dependence on funding from government.

The permanent secretary to the Ministry, Mr. Aminu Aliyu Bisala who was represented by Mr. Ogenyi Ochekpe stated that the workshop will reposition scientific invention and innovation for national economic growth in line with government policy on diversification.

“The government is also making strident efforts to create the right environment for Intellectual property Rights to flourish, and enhance the confidence of both local and foreign investors and attract global attention as a preferred investment destination in Africa.

“There is no doubt that Technology and Innovation Support Center’s Network center would be an important link between generators and innovators, the Industries utilizing these innovations and the Registry, which protects and preserves the information on Patent documents and databases” Ochekpe stated.

The representative of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Geneva Mr. Elangi Botoy Ituku, who is the Director of Innovation and Technology Support said that the workshop will expose participants to international database and introduce them to over 1000 technologies which they can explore seamlessly to improve on their knowledge and inventions.

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He said that these technologies can be used in food preservations, health care, Information and Communication Technology, Water, Power to mention but a few.