African Contributions in Shaping the Worldwide Intellectual Property System

Africa is playing an increasingly significant role in the domain of international intellectual property law, and this book underlines the contributions made by African countries as a group to the development of the current international IP system. It examines in detail their breakthrough proposals and initiatives at the WTO, WIPO and WHO with regard to IP and public health; IP and traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources; IP and biodiversity; and exceptions and limitations to copyright. Using Botswana, Burundi, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia as examples, it examines the systems under which these IP subject matters are protected.

Tshimanga Kongolo is an intellectual property researcher. He was formerly Assistant Professor, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. His key areas of interest are International Intellectual Property Law and global IP challenges. He has published widely on these areas in books and articles in renowned international IP journals.

Contents: Preface; Introduction; African countries' national perspectives on various intellectual property issues; African regional intellectual property systems and regional initiatives; African initiatives at the international level; General conclusions; Bibliography; Index.