By Stephen N. Tokpah-Bong (freelance)
The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), in its continued efforts to raise awareness and promote the importance of intellectual property (IP) across the country, has successful completed a three-month awareness campaign in five counties: Grand Bassa, Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, and Margibi.
This initiative, which began in September of this year, was designed to educate and empower local communities and entrepreneurs on the significance of protecting and managing intellectual property rights in Liberia.
Held under the theme “Educating the public on the importance and building respect for intellectual property Rights”, the event was sponsored by the African Regional intellectual property organization (ARIPO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Liberia Intellectual Property office (LIPO).
The three-month campaign was aimed at strengthening public understanding of intellectual property, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and industrial designs.
Throughout this period, LIPO organized a series of workshops, seminars, and outreach activities in various towns, communities, and localities across the five counties.
The campaign also sought to address common misconceptions and provide clarity on the processes involved in registering and protecting IP rights.
The sessions were delivered in collaboration with local leaders, community groups, and academic institutions to ensure that the information reached as many people as possible, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The campaign successfully reached thousands of individuals, providing them with a foundational understanding of intellectual property laws and their potential to foster creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The three months awareness covered essential topics such as copyright registration, trademark protection, patent application processes, and the role of IP in business and economic development.
LIPO’s mobile awareness teams traveled to remote villages, schools, and business centers, engaging directly with community members.
This hands-on approach helped demystify intellectual property for many people who had previously been unaware of the benefits of IP protection.
It fostered strong partnerships with local government officials, community leaders, and business associations, all of whom played a crucial role in the successful implementation of the activities as part of LIPO commitment to engaging the students Community, several institutions to include; St Theresa convent, Spiritan, Maretha, Tubam High and IPERP benefited from the three months awareness campaign.
One of the core objectives of the campaign was to build the capacity of local creators—artists, musicians, designers, and entrepreneurs—so that they could effectively navigate the IP system and protect their creative outputs.
During the awareness sessions, participants received guidance on how to register their works, protect their ideas from infringement, and take advantage of the economic opportunities that intellectual property can provide.
As part of the campaign, LIPO conducted surveys and gathered feedback from participants to better understand the local challenges and needs concerning intellectual property.
This data will help inform future initiatives and policies aimed at further enhancing the protection of IP rights in Liberia.
The success of the awareness campaign can be measured not only by the number of people reached but also by the tangible changes in the attitudes and behaviors of participants.
According to Madam Garmai Koboi Director General Liberia Intellectual Property, Many local entrepreneurs and creators expressed renewed enthusiasm for safeguarding their ideas and innovations.
She said In several cases, participants indicated that they would begin the process of registering their intellectual property with LIPO, recognizing the value it could add to their business or creative endeavors.
Additionally, the LIPO Director General said the campaign sparked important conversations about the need for stronger enforcement of IP laws in Liberia, with many local stakeholders emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where intellectual property is respected and upheld.
She maintained that this reinforces LIPO’s mission to not only raise awareness but also support the development of an effective and robust intellectual property framework in Liberia.
Following the success of this awareness campaign, LIPO is committed to continuing its outreach efforts in other counties and communities across Liberia, Madam Koboi narrated.
According to the Director General, LIPO is also working on strengthening its partnerships with national and international organizations to ensure that Liberia’s intellectual property system is aligned with global standards and practices.
The Liberia Intellectual Property Office is proud of the impact of its three-month awareness campaign, which has significantly raised the profile of intellectual property in Grand Bassa, Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, and Margibi Counties.
The campaign has empowered local communities and entrepreneurs, equipped them with essential knowledge about IP rights, and demonstrated the importance of intellectual property in building a vibrant, innovative economy.
As Liberia continues to develop its IP infrastructure and ecosystem, Madam Garmai Koboi said LIPO remains committed to supporting the rights of creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country.
