ATTN: U.S. Mission to the African Union Launches Intellectual Property Rights Forum
DATE: May 18, 2021 3:30pm – 6pm Ethiopia Time
LOCATION: Virtual
MEMO: An initiative hosted by the U.S. Mission to the African Union and the Global Startup Ecosystem (GSE)
The U.S. Mission to the African Union is pleased to announce the launch of the first Intellectual Property Rights Forum For African Creative Artists. The central theme of the program is “Intellectual Property Rights Forum – Exploring How African Creative Artists Can Protect Their Work”. The program will take place on Tuesday May 18, 2021 from 3:30pm-6pm Ethiopia Time.
In today’s global and interconnected world, African cultural products such as music, fashion, sculpture, photography and other creative elements are gaining positive acclaim. As African Creative artists move towards monetizing their creative pursuits, it is important that they do not overlook the legal frameworks available to protect their intellectual property. This forum will feature a series of keynotes, panels and workshops to support 150+ delegates on their journey of understanding and implementing IP protections for their work.
3:30 -3:35 USAU Welcome Remarks and Introduction of USAU Ambassador by PAO Rubani Trimiew
3:35-3:45 Keynote 1: USAU Ambassador Jessye Lapenn
3:45-3:50 Keynote 2: Director of the Department for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining, Hussein Hassan
3:50- 4:15 Keynote 3: Presentation of AfCFTA on Intellectual Property Rights, Fikremarkos Merso, Senior Intellectual Property Expert, AfCFTA Secretariat
4:15-4:20 Break
4:20-5:00 Panel 1: How IP Law and Enforcement Protects Inventors of Cultural and Creative Endeavors
Moderators:
- Anand Ramaswamy, International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice
- Nebiyu Feleke, Resident Legal Advisor for Ethiopia, U.S. Department of Justice
Panelists:
- Dr. Biruk Haile, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Professor of Intellectual Property Law, Addis Ababa University College of Law and Governance Studies
- Professor April Dawson, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Pedagogical Enrichment and Professor of Law, North Caroline Central University
- Susan Anthony – Attorney-Advisor in the U.S. Patent and Trade Office’s Office of Policy and International Affairs
- Shelley B. Fullwood, Head, Trademark Clinic at North Carolina Central University School of Law
4:55-5:40- Panel 2: How IPR Impacts Work with Young African Leader and Washington Mandela Fellowship Alumni
Moderators:
- PAO Rubani Trimiew
- Anand Ramaswamy, International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice
- Nebiyu Feleke, Resident Legal Advisor for Ethiopia, U.S. Department of Justice
Panelists:
- Game Bantsi, Botswana, Mandela Washington Fellowship (2016)
- Abel Dzobo, CEO HELA TV-Zim, Operations Director KreativeHive Corps, Journalist, Film Director/ Producer/ Editor/ Scriptwriter, Zimbabwe, Mandela Washington Fellowship (2017)
- Nasreen Ali Mohamed, Kenya, Mandela Washington Fellowship (2018)
5:40-5:55 Discussion Session
5:55-6:00 Closing Remarks by PAO Rubani Trimiew
You can find out more information and rsvp via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intellectual-property-rights-forum-exploring-how-african-creative-artists-tickets-154391835135
GSE Team
(E) events@globalstartupecosystem.com
(W) https://www.usau.usmission.gov/
About U.S. Mission to the African Union: The goal of the United States Mission to the African Union (USAU) is to partner with the African Union in ways that will strengthen democratic institutions, promote peace and stability, support sustainable economic development through increased trade and investment, and improve the lives and health of all Africans. USAU’s relationship with the AU is based upon historical ties and shared culture between Africa and the U.S., increasing coordination due to globalization, and a deep appreciation of the strategic significance of the African continent.
About Global Startup Ecosystem: Global Startup Ecosystem (GSE): is the world’s first digital accelerator and leads today as one of the largest digital ecosystem development platforms. With a mission to educate, inspire and prepare individuals and organizations for the digital age, GSE brings together both private and public stakeholders to address humanity’s greatest challenges via exponential technologies and entrepreneurship. GSE is now the fastest growing tech and business community with an online network that accelerates 1000+ companies a year across 90+ countries and an offline network that supports 75,000+ global delegates a year via its iconic tech summits. This evolving tech community is now a source of tech talent for the remote workforce of the future; accelerating people into the fastest growing tech startups and corporate career networks.
