Sectorial representatives raise IP issues at consultation workshop

A whole range of issues of concern about intellectual property relating to products currently on the market in Vanuatu featured prominently in last week’s National Consultation on the Vanuatu Intellectual Property (IP) strategy for the next three years – 2015-2017.

Sanma Provincial Government’s Council’s representative, Kensley Michah highlighted the concerns of Santo and Malo Islands about the theft of IP rights to water music and the province’s renowned colored beads-decorated flip flops, which he said originated in the province but have been copied and produced in many other places today. Torba Province also has its water music and the beads-lined flip flops are now even produced by some local vendors in Port Vila and other areas of Vanuatu.

Michah, who is Sanma Provincial Government Council’s Marketing Officer, also pointed to the IP rights to hundreds of generic hybrids of the water taros of Sanma being researched the produced by research institutes in the province. He asked who would have ownership rights to such products.

Tafea’s representative, David Tovovur — also Assistant Secretary General of the province, said there are a lot of developments taking place in Tafea involving natural resources such as the Yasur Volcano on Tanna that would require IP consideration. But he said, for them, the province wanted the IP legislative framework to be completed before they can start to implement its provisions to cover IP rights over such products including the now world-renowned Tanna Coffee.

John Mael from the Department of Industry pointed to the need for increased awareness “to let the people know about IP and their rights to products that they have created”. He suggested the Department of Education take the IP awareness on board in their school curriculum so that it can be taught in the schools.

The National Consultation on the Vanuatu Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy for 2015 – 2017 was held over two days last week at the National Museum in Port Vila organized by Vanuatu IP Office to discuss a draft IP strategy for Vanuatu.

The draft strategy is the result of two studies – the Baseline Study conducted in 2012 and the Needs Assessment study in 2013.

The Strategic Plan aims to achieve 4 goals and 13 objectives. One of the goals is building capacity for the IP Office under the Ministry of Trade and Industries including staffing, training, equipment and registration of IPs.

For two years, Merilyn Temakon, the Registrar – Trademarks, Patents and Designs was the sole staff and also Head of the IP Office. Today she has a legal officer and two trademarks officers. She said that since the office was established in January, 2012, it has dealt with 600 applications for new trademarks registrations and renewals.