Intellectual Property for Innovation and Economic Development
By McLean Sibanda
Foreword by Mosibudi Mangena
Footprints is a captivating story about intellectual property (IP). It speaks to its role in society, trade, industry, and economy and expounds on the actual meaning of IP.
The book lays a solid foundation for innovators, entrepreneurs, businesses, and nations to realise their full potential through IP policy, legislation, use and practices.
McLean Sibanda shares his personal story, together with stories and testimonies of fellow travellers, taking us through their journey into the field of IP.
The role of IP in Africa
The author meticulously recounts South Africa’s path in transforming the management of IP emanating from publicly financed research and development (R&D), development of critical human capital and other infrastructure to ensure effective IP commercialisation and technology transfer.
He also delves into the role of IP and possible strategies in Africa’s scramble for vaccines and industrialisation, given the opportunities presented by the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to Mosibudi Mangena, ‘the implicit and explicit message contained in this book for South Africa and indeed the entire continent of Africa is that we must:
- Strengthen our educational system, with special emphasis on attainment by a large number of our children in mathematics and science education;
- Promote and support scientific research and development in our country;
- Pay particular attention to the registration, protection and utilisation of our intellectual property; and
- Strive to spend at least 1% of our GDP on research, development and innovation. In this way, we would be in a position to generate our own intellectual property, register patents and engage in serious manufacturing that would elevate our trade with other nations to a more balanced level.’
IP issues in Africa’s scramble for COVID-19
“Footprints is a read no one interested or involved in IP matters should miss. The book is not only about IP and its importance and how to deal with it successfully, it is far more.“
– Professor Joseph Straus
Footprints is a timely masterpiece given IP issues in Africa’s scramble for COVID-19 vaccines and implementation of the agreement establishing AfCFTA. The book provides strategies of how African countries can use IP and innovation to develop industries to ensure health security and trading of goods that can benefit from the AfCFTA.
Narrated through a series of significant moments, Footprints demonstrates the importance of vision, solid foundation, collaboration, champions, and intentional steps, for economic transformation.
With glimpses into how countries such as China and Korea used IP to develop their economies, this book makes a compelling case for embracing IP, increased R&D investment, relevant human capital, and appropriate use of IP, in the development of new products and services necessary for knowledge-based and industrialised economies.
Footprints is a must-read for any academic, aspiring intellectual property scholar, policy maker, economist, development activist, entrepreneur, researcher, innovator, professional, and technology transfer specialist.
About the author
Dr McLean Sibanda is a seasoned business executive, who has held senior and executive positions in private and public sector in South Africa and is currently the Managing Director of Bigen Global Limited.
A patent attorney by training, and an innovation and intellectual property expert passionate about Africa’s socio-economic development, McLean has consulted for SADC, the African Union, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), UNECA, and Governments of Eswatini, South Africa and Tanzania.
He was the lead drafter of South Africa’s Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008. He is the author of Nuts & Bolts: Strengthening Africa’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems.
- PUBLISHER | Tracey McDonald Publishers |
- ISBN | 978-1-920707-21-7 |
- Recommended Retail Price | R295.00 |
- Classification | Business, IP management |
For more information | Janine Daniel | +27 (0)83 327 3393 | mail me |
