IP in Universities: Putting Policies in Place

In our interview he describes how Moi University addressed the need for a policy framework for dealing with IP issues, and he talks about patenting in African research institutes.

Professor Ogada, you were instrumental in putting in place a formal policy for dealing with IP issues in Moi University. Why are such policies important?

Any policy provides its users with guidelines and means of making decisions. In a university or research institution, an institutional IP policy serves to promote the generation, protection and commercialization of IP rights. Universities and R&D institutions are key generators of IP assets, but there are many stakeholders involved in the process - researchers, students, private sponsors, technology transfer units, national patent offices, the public - and so on. An IP policy is important to harmonize conflicting interests of the various stakeholders.

What do think a university’s IP policy should aim to achieve?

Many things. It should create an environment that encourages and expedites the dissemination of new knowledge for the greatest public benefit, while protecting the traditional rights of scholars to control the products of their scholarly work. It should ensure that the financial or other benefits of commercialization are distributed in a fair and equitable manner that recognizes the contributions of the inventors and the institution as well as other stakeholders. It should promote, preserve, encourage and aid scientific investigation and research. It should sensitize students to IP and tap the creativity of the young. It should create incentives for researchers to conduct research and provide rewards for intellectual capital. In developing country universities, it should also stimulate research efforts to find solutions for pressing problems, such as medicines, clean water and energy.

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