World IP Day celebrated on Campus by students and staff

On this occasion, the Hatfield Campus of the University of Pretoria became the venue from which the CIPC launched its campaign against counterfeiting, piracy and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Proudly South Africa, the South African Federation Against Copyright Theft (SAFACT) and the Association of Independent Record Companies of South Africa (AIRCO) addressed the delegates and media. The speakers explained the impact of counterfeiting, piracy and the theft of intellectual property on the economy and emphasised the need for the more effective protection of intellectual property rights. They also provided compelling evidence linking counterfeiting, piracy and the theft of intellectual property with organised crime. Syndicates behind counterfeiting, piracy and the theft of intellectual property are often also involved in rhino poaching, drug trafficking, money laundering, arms smuggling and robberies.

Her Excellency, Catherine Hill-Herndon, Deputy Chief de Mission at the Embassy of the United States of America also addressed the meeting and stressed the importance of the effective protection of intellectual property rights in  attracting foreign investment in South Africa. If South Africa is seen as being soft on counterfeiting, piracy and the theft of intellectual property, international corporations would avoid doing business in South Africa, which will inevitably impact negatively on the economy and lead to further job losses.

The highlight of the day was the guest appearance and presentation by the famous singer and songwriter Lira, who has multiple platinum records to her credit. She explained that it was very expensive to record and produce a single album and how the cost could run into millions of rand. The recording of a single album creates direct job opportunities for 400 people, ranging from musicians and other artists to technical staff at the recording studios, which does not even account for indirect jobs created at music stores and venues where her music is lawfully sold or played. However, these jobs are in jeopardy when people unlawfully download or copy her music. Furthermore, many artists have been left destitute as a direct result of the unlawful copying of their music –  the resultant losses entailed that they could simply no longer afford the cost of recording and producing albums. She passionately appealed to those present to refrain from intellectual property theft in any form.

As part of the campaign, the sponsors and partners of the IP Centre, attorneys Adams and Adams, as well as attorneys Spoor and Fisher, made some of their experts available for the day to provide free legal advice relating to patents, copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights.

At the Piazza students enjoyed exhibitions by business enterprises and received welcome free gifts from Microsoft and Nestlé.  The IP World Day celebrations on campus concluded with the screening of the Academy Award-acclaimed South African documentary film ’Searching for Sugar Man’ and other movies, with free popcorn and soft drinks supplied by Proudly South Africa for the students who attended.

Click here to access the gallery of this event.