Intellectual property workshop participants look forward to growing their businesses
A broad spectrum of players in the intellectual property (IP) space, including the owners of small businesses selling beauty, energy and communication products, attended a three-day advanced workshop on intellectual property organised by the Department of Science and Innovation through its National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO).
From 31 October to 2 November, 25 participants attended the workshop in Stellenbosch to learn about intellectual property management, licensing challenges and solutions, and how to build a successful brand, among other topics.
The workshop was one of the initiatives of the Swiss-South African Intellectual Property Project, which is a collaboration between the two countries to promote the use and protection of IP rights.
Jillian Nyakane, founder of Jillies Natural Hair and Skin Products, said that the preparation and expense of travelling from Johannesburg to Stellenbosch to take part in the workshop was well worth the effort.
"I started my business in 2015 and before attending the workshop I was still not sure of the category (type) of intellectual property which my business falls under. The workshop has helped me to understand different types of intellectual property, and how I can go about registering and ultimately protecting my business's intellectual property, and then develop strategies to monetise it," says Nyakane.
Jetane Charsley, Head of NIPMO, made a presentation called "An introduction to intellectual property and its importance for SMEs", in which she explained the different requirements that businesses have to meet to register IP. She also emphasised the role of IP in attracting investors.
Keeping abreast of the latest developments in the IP space is crucial, says Khathu Mashau, founder of the Nunnovation Africa Foundation (NAF). The NAF is a non-profit organisation that commercialises research and innovation from academia.
"The business world is constantly changing, and so is the field of intellectual property. It is important to seek ways to expand knowledge, improve capacity and network," says Mashau.
Mashau's sentiments were echoed by Sara-Lea van Eeden, a marketing and communications consultant from S-Elle & Associates. In her presentation, Van Eeden spoke about how brands evolve over time, but remain connected to the customers.
She said that the quality of products and service should not change, but that branding could change, although not to the point of being unrecognisable.
Siseko Mali, founder of Manzini Energy, found the workshop an eye-opener.
"The sessions were well curated and covered a wide range of topics. One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of protecting our innovation and creativity through robust strategies. I now have a deeper understanding of how to leverage our IP assets effectively to drive growth, attract investors and gain a competitive advantage in the market," he said.
The Department invests heavily in empowering small enterprises and BBBEE entities by providing them with the knowledge they need to access opportunities to grow.
