Nigerian Copyright Commission launches ‘Women Empowering Women in IP’ knowledge
IP as tool to grow innovation, creativity
By Editor
AS part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Intellectual Property (IP) Day on April 26, 2023, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is set to launch its Women Empowering Women in IP (WeWin IP) initiative. The objective of the initiative it to train female students and young women, especially lawyers, accountants, academics, copyright managers and IP enthusiasts to promote the dissemination and use of IP knowledge amongst women as a tool to grow innovation and creativity.
A statement from the office of the Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, said, “Under the We Win IP programme, the commission invites female students and young professionals to register for the Distance Learning (DL) courses in the field of IP organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The basic DL courses are free and registration is open till March 20, 2023. The commission will be offering Internet data support to student applicants and the Nigerian Copyright Academy, with the help of volunteer mentors, will also be providing tutorials, technical assistance and special mentoring to applicants.”
While giving further insight on the significance of the initiative and the choice of young women for this particular training, Asein explained, “The special focus on young women is in line with this year’s theme of the World IP Day – ‘Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity.’ It’s also to build more competence amongst an underrepresented group. The choice of young women is to dedicate our attention to those who will likely be incentivized to build their careers around IP, innovation and creativity. Incidentally, they (women) are more in tune with innovation and creativity particularly in the digital age. The demographics confirm that. Besides, for sustainability we have to groom them early. Of course, there will be some interface with the older and more established women who will also be helping out as tutors and mentors. And the DL programme is open to all, only that NCC is focusing on (young) women.”
By offering to train young women in IP, it is clear NCC is in tune with the thinking of the global IP body in situating often marginalised demographics such as women at the centre of IP knowledge acquisition, as WIPO affirms, “In 2023, we celebrate the “can do” attitude of women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs around the world and their ground-breaking work. Women in all regions are shaping the world through their imagination, ingenuity and hard work, but often face significant challenges in accessing the knowledge, skills, resources and support they need to thrive.”
While NCC is commendably offering to empower Nigerian women by training them in IP knowledge, WIPO is offering a prize contest by creating video on IP tagged ‘World IP Day Video Competition’ that says, “When women enter the IP universe, we accelerate innovation and creativity and everyone’s a winner. Show why it is important for girls and women to switch on to intellectual property (IP), and how we all benefit, in a 90-second video and win great prizes!”
To register for the DL courses (for starters, we recommend DL 101), click: https://welc.wipo.int/acc/index.jsf?page=courseCatalog.xhtml&lang=en. For more information on the DL courses, the commission’s special support and the We Win IP initiative, contact: Nigerian Copyright Academy (NCA) via an email to: nca@copyright.gov.ng.
