By Grace Q. Bryant
The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) has disclosed that over 100 officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) are set to enhance their knowledge of intellectual property rights through a specialized training program.
The initiative, jointly facilitated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Intellectual Property Organization (AIPO), aims to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement to enforce intellectual property laws in Liberia.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism’s (MICAT) regular press briefing on Thursday, December 12, the Director General of LIPO, Garmai Koboi, announced that the training program is being developed in collaboration with the LNP.
Koboi noted that a draft agreement formalizing the partnership has been prepared and is in the final stages of review and signing and while the specific dates and location of the training are yet to be confirmed, he stated that the program will be delivered in two phases.
The first phase will consist of online sessions, providing police and customs officers with a foundational knowledge of intellectual property rights; this will be followed by in-person training to enhance their practical understanding and application of intellectual property laws.
Koboi revealed that the police have requested the inclusion of intellectual property training in the curriculum of the police academy.
This underscores the importance of equipping officers with the tools needed to address intellectual property violations effectively.
In related developments, Koboi shared that LIPO has been actively working to raise public awareness about intellectual property over the past three months.
He said these efforts aim to promote a broader understanding of the economic benefits of intellectual property and encourage respect for intellectual property rights across Liberia.
The awareness campaign included a range of activities, such as a three-month Intellectual Property Awareness exercise and a high school intellectual property club competition.
These initiatives were carried out in Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties and utilized face-to-face engagements, radio programs, influencer campaigns, and distribution of educational materials like flyers and brochures.
Through these outreach efforts, LIPO estimates that approximately 5,000 individuals directly participated in discussions about intellectual property, trademarks, copyright protection, and the value of locally created products and innovations.
Madam Koboi stated that a combined audience of over 100,000 persons listened to interviews and programs broadcast on participating radio stations. Over 5,000 educational materials were distributed in local markets, schools, public offices, and communities to provide concise guidance on intellectual property protection including digital campaigns by influencers, the overall awareness reached more than 200,000 individuals.
Koboi highlighted that many Liberians now recognize the importance of protecting creative works and innovations to foster long-term economic benefits.
