NOTAP Rules On 20yr Duration of Intellectual Property Rights For Creatives
The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has held that the maximum timeframe in which creators of intellectual property can hold on to their exclusive rights is 20yrs.
The Director General (DG) of NOTAP, Obiageli Amadiobi, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference to mark the African Day for Technology and Intellectual Properties.
While speaking at the conference tagged, “Leveraging Technology and IPRs to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Amadiobi revealed that after the 20yr period, the inventions will move to the public domain from where it can used by any person.
“To properly understand the concept, Intellectual Property is the creative works of the mind, literary and artistic works belonging to a creator and can only be transferred or sold with the permission of the innovator.
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:It can also be any innovation, commercial, artistic, symbol, logo or design used for commercial purposes. However, this right that can also be transferred is not without limitations as the creator or the owner of the right can only enjoy it solely for the period of 20 years in the case of patents, after which the invention goes into the public domain and could be exploited by any person or user.
“Technology and Intellectual Property Rights systems have long been recognized to be among the foremost important factors in nation-building and wealth creation. Ideas and knowledge are increasingly becoming veritable instruments in international trade relations as codified in the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property under the World Trade Organisation agreement to which Nigeria has been a signatory since January 1, 1995,” Amadiobi said.
This latest disclosure puts to bed recent controversies regarding the use of intellectual property, permission from holders of intellectual property and the validity of the law on the matter.
