dti to host intellectual property policy conference

Some countries do not allow the separation of authorship and ownership of copyright. The Author is the owner of the copyright to the works by default and cannot assign the copyright but they can sell license for use of the works. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

The National Policy on Intellectual Property (IP) seeks to adapt the IP regime of the country to local conditions and integrate it into the national policies of South Africa, including industrial, agricultural development, education, public health, research and development and enforcement.

On the other hand, the policy seeks to realign the broader development objectives and matters of public interest.

The public comment period on the policy ended on 17 October, with the majority of comments received being positive.

"We received 150 comments from stakeholders in South Africa and abroad. There were some that came from associations representing stakeholders... [and] interests of clients. If we take that into consideration, we probably heard from over 300 stakeholders," said Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies on Tuesday.

The conference will focus specifically on the main issues that transpired from the public consultation process.

On the issue of copyright, government is looking at the collective management of royalties in view of complaints from industry stakeholders (especially, royalty payment) in view of artists dying poor.

In 2011, Davies established the Copyright Review Commission, whose mandate was to basically look at the collective management in the country and come up with recommendations.

Some of the recommendations are that the copyright legislation must be brought up to speed with the developments taking place at the international level, and one super collecting society per right must be brought into being.