World Intellectual Property Day 2025 celebrated with a focus on music
South Africa joined the global community in marking World Intellectual Property Day 2025 under the theme "Intellectual Property and Music – Feel the Beat", with a special focus on the music industry and the transformative power of intellectual property (IP) in the creative economy.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, through the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) and the Technology Innovation Agency, joined with Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) to celebrate musicians as innovators and entrepreneurs, and look at how IP rights protect artistic works and enable economic and social development.
The two-day event, held at MUT on 24 and 25 April 2025 in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), featured a dynamic programme of roadshows, interactive sessions and live performances.
Masoja Msiza, Maqhinga Radebe and Mthuthu (Ntuthuko Ndebele) participated in panel discussions and performances, using their platforms to highlight the importance of understanding the creative industry, copyright law and contractual agreements. Their stories illustrated both the opportunities and the pitfalls faced by musicians navigating the business side of the arts.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Charity Thobile Sifunda, Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, emphasised the importance of creators protecting their work against unauthorised use to ensure that they reaped the benefits of their talent and innovation.
Ms Ntanganedzeni Muanalo, Director: Regulatory and Compliance at NIPMO, outlined the fundamentals of IP, particularly the protection that copyright offered literary, musical and artistic works. She also elaborated on NIPMO's mandate to ensure that IP emerging from publicly funded research and development (R&D) was identified, protected and commercialised for national benefit.
"NIPMO works closely with offices of technology transfer (OTTs)," she explained. "Our primary function is to safeguard IP generated from public R&D, while OTTs facilitate technology transfer to the marketplace. NIPMO supports this ecosystem by funding and incentivising OTTs across the country."
Dr Anette Mienie, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at MUT, noted the enthusiasm and interest individuals and organisations had shown in learning how IP could affect their work and success.
"World IP Day is not just about awareness – it's about action. Action that fosters innovation, safeguards creative works, and empowers everyone to use IP as a tool for advancement."
Representing the CIPC, Mr Mojalefa Khoza, Senior Education Specialist, outlined the Commission's role in nurturing an efficient and inclusive business and innovation environment.
"The CIPC promotes education and awareness around company and intellectual property law. We handle the registration of companies, co-operatives and intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, designs and copyright," said Khoza.
He stressed the Commission's broader mission to make IP accessible and instrumental in driving entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Together, NIPMO, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the CIPC and SEDA reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting innovation and ensuring that IP continued to be a catalyst for inclusive development, creativity and entrepreneurship.
The World IP Day event at MUT was a powerful reminder that the legal protection of IP is a vital tool to empower individuals, spark progress and unlock the full potential of South Africa's creative and knowledge-rich society.
