When Apple computers, the famed inventor of the iPhone, sued and won a patent case against Samsung electronics, the world took notice. Intellectual property (IP), especially among technology giants, has become a tightly contested arena with a number of legal challenges and litigation. The Directorate of Innovation and Technology Transfer (DITT) held a discussion on IP on 30 January 2013 as part of its innovation in action lecture series.
Intellectuals discussing Intellectual Property. From left, Ayanda Noma (Director: Directorate of Innovation and Technology Transfer), Dr Hidero Niioka (IP expert), Ndwakhulu Mukhufhi (General Manager, Incubation and Skills development: Innovation Hub), Dr Sayed Muhammed (Business Development Manager: Technology Innovation Agency), Prof. Lessing Labuschagne (Executive Director: Research and Innovation), and Thabang Jase (Technology Transfer Specialist: National Intellectual Property Management Office)
DITT was established to protect and promote Unisa’s IP developed through research and other means. Professor Lessing Labuschagne, Executive Director: Research and Innovation, explained that this particular lecture was critical as it promoted the idea of formulating ideas and making a success of it. “I am pleased we are hosting this because what we are dealing with in South Africa in terms of IP is not unique to our country,” he says.
Through his discussion, keynote speaker, Dr Hidero Niioka, an expert in IP and a former lawyer, detailed Universities and the opportunity in IP monetisation: A case for university IP management and technology transfer. Dealing with the benefits and challenges of higher learning institutions successfully creating patents, he said, “I see lots of opportunities for universities, but the key is the bridge between innovation and success.”
He explained that the high cost factor to maintain patents and the lack of marketability was what caused many projects to fail. “A study has shown that just three to five percent of inventions from universities get off the ground. In Japan, Kyoto and Tokyo University are barely making a profit from IP.” Niioka believes universities can, however, turn their projects into a success by considering the needs of the industry, strengthening marketing and defending their IPs. He also discussed his business venture, IP Exchange, which is designed to assist ordinary people in registering their patents and protecting their IPs.
Dr Sayed Muhammed, Business Development Manager: Technology Innovation Agency, discussed how his organisation afforded opportunities to South Africans in the development of technology both financially and socially. “We offer support structures in many universities and we have just started a youth development fund to assist in their progress,” he said. Also in the spirit of support, Ndwakhulu Mukhufhi, General Manager, Incubation and Skills development: Innovation Hub, discussed what his company offered in terms of assisting aspiring inventors.
*Written by Rajiv Kama
