By Bill W. Cooper
The Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), Garmai Koboi, has officially launched the High Schools Intellectual Property (IP) aimed at raising awareness and respect for IP rights among students.
The initiative was launched yesterday, April 23, 2024, as part of celebrations marking the observance of the World Book and Copyright Day under the theme: “Read Your Way; Making Books My Friend For a Better Tomorrow.”
The World Book and Copyright Day is a day set aside each year of April 23, to celebrate and promote the enjoyment of books and reading as well as to recognize the scope of books, a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures.
The High School Intellectual Property Club is a pioneering endeavor designed to educate and engage students across various high schools about the importance of respecting intellectual property rights from a younger age.
Also, through interactive workshops, seminars, and educational materials, the club will empower students to understand the value of creativity, innovation, and originality, while also equipping them with the knowledge and skills to protect their own intellectual creations.
Officially launching the club, Director Koboi emphasized the significance of instilling a culture of respect for intellectual property in Liberian students, and said, “The future of our nation’s innovation and creativity depends on our ability to nurture a generation of individuals who understand and appreciate the importance of intellectual property rights.”
“So, by launching the High School IP Club, we are taking a proactive step towards building a society where innovation is celebrated, and IP is safeguarded because with the rapid advancements in technology and the digital landscape, protecting IP has become more critical than ever,” she noted.
According to her, from music and art to literature and inventions, IP rights play a crucial role in promoting creativity, incentivizing innovation, and driving economic growth and as such, by educating students about the significance of IP, LIPO aims to cultivate a generation of responsible citizens to respect and uphold these rights in their personal and professional endeavors.
Madam Koboi then reiterated LIPO’s dedication to promoting a culture of respect for IP, and added, “Investing in the intellectual development of our youth is an investment in the future prosperity of our nation and through the IP Club, we are sowing the seeds of innovation and creativity that will drive Liberia’s growth and success in the years to come.”
Earlier, serving as the Guest Speaker, Montserrado District 17 Representative Bernard Benson rallied stakeholders to prevail upon LIPO to fulfill its mandate and crack down on piracy with the full force of the law so as to foster a culture of respect for creativity and innovation, where the value of intellectual property is recognized and celebrated.
He stressed, “I urge you to stand united in defense of our rights. Let us not allow ourselves to be divided by petty rivalries or short-term gain. Our collective strength lies in our solidarity, and together, we can achieve great things.”
“But our fight does not end here. We must hold the LIPO accountable for their lax enforcement actions which have damaged the creative industries. They must man up and hold accountable those who seek to profit from the sweat and toil of others, and must do so with unwavering resolve,” he explained.
“Again, I say without fear or favor, to LIPO, your failure to prosecute a single pirate is a dereliction of duty that cannot be tolerated. It is incumbent upon you to uphold the law and protect the rights of creators, and anything less is a betrayal of the trust placed in you by the people of Liberia,” he asserted.
Rep. Benson added, “It is time for the Liberia Intellectual Property Office to rise from its slumber and confront this menace head-on because the office cannot afford to be passive spectators in the face of such brazen disregard for the rule of law.”
