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Rwanda: Patent Rights - Local Artistes to Be Trained
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The New Times (Kigali)
17 March 2008
Posted to the web 17 March 2008
James Buyinza
Kigali
THE Ministry of Sports and Culture has announced that Rwandan artistes would be equipped with skills of protecting their patent rights in a bid to promote the industry.
Joseph Habineza who retained his position as the Sports and Culture minister in the recent cabinet reshuffle was speaking on Thursday during the last day of the lawmakers' training on the protection of intellectual property rights at the parliamentary buildings in Kimihurura.
The training, according to Habineza, would help local artistes know the extent of their rights regarding their work and how they would protect any infringement.
"This will be effected after the promulgation of the law on the protection of intellectual property," said Habineza.
He added that currently, Rwandan artistes, poets and writers do not know their rights and this has greatly affected their performance for decades.
The minister explained that it was necessary for the law on protection of patent rights to come when the people to be protected clearly understand its importance.
The bill on the protection of intellectual property is in the Chamber of Deputies' Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Youth.
It is due to be presented to a plenary session after the commission's thorough scrutiny.
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During the closure of the workshop, Senate president Dr. Vincent Biruta said that lawmakers had acquired the necessary skills concerning the law on patent rights and that soon the bill would be tabled.
Biruta said that after the enactment of the law, institutions would be established to monitor and ensure the protection of the industry to avoid duplication and unfavorable competition.
He expressed optimism that after the law is passed, the industry will significantly contribute to the economic development of the country.
It's commendable that a Patent Bill will be introduced in Rwanda. But, as an intellectual property lawyer, please let me point out to Minister Habineza that in order to protect the "artistes, poets and writers" that he mentions, they will need a Copyright Bill as well. I gave a short seminar on intellectual property rights to the Kigali, Rwanda Bar, and would be happy to help in any way that I can. I will be in Kigali again this summer. I'd appreciate the e-mail address of the New Times. Can you supply me with it? ... [Read Full Text]
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