Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAKAR1307
2006-06-01 16:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dakar
Cable title:  

EMBASSY DAKAR WORKSHOP ON IPR UNITES PLAYERS AND

Tags:  ETRD KIPR EIND ECON SCUL PGOV KPAO SG 
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VZCZCXRO4658
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHDK #1307/01 1521633
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011633Z JUN 06 ZDK NUMEROUS SERVICES
FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5305
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001307 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CIP/BA, EB/TPP/IPE, AF/EPS AND AF/W
USDOC PLS PASS USPTO FOR MICHAEL ADLIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR EIND ECON SCUL PGOV KPAO SG
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DAKAR WORKSHOP ON IPR UNITES PLAYERS AND
SPARKS DESIRE TO END INFRINGEMENT

REF: DAKAR 00836

DAKAR 00001307 001.4 OF 002


SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001307

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CIP/BA, EB/TPP/IPE, AF/EPS AND AF/W
USDOC PLS PASS USPTO FOR MICHAEL ADLIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR EIND ECON SCUL PGOV KPAO SG
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DAKAR WORKSHOP ON IPR UNITES PLAYERS AND
SPARKS DESIRE TO END INFRINGEMENT

REF: DAKAR 00836

DAKAR 00001307 001.4 OF 002


SUMMARY
--------------

1. On May 24, the Embassy hosted a workshop on intellectual
property rights (IPR),which attracted an audience of nearly
50 people, including actors, musicians, authors, designers,
screen-writers, union representatives, business owners,
gendarmes, customs officers and other GOS officials. The
Ambassador addressed the workshop on the impact of IPR
violations on the economy and on personal safety and health.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) representative
Michael Adlin also made a presentation via DVD. The
workshop, which generated substantial local media coverage,
led to a demand by participants for follow-up events. A
member of the Customs Director General's Office, who was in
attendance, asked for cooperation with U.S. Customs in order
to tighten its procedures. END SUMMARY.

MUCH CREATIVITY AND MUCH INFRINGEMENT
--------------

2. Senegal has suffered from contradictory trends of
increasing literary and artistic creativity, plus a growing
incidence of IPR infringement. Senegal has produced world
famous musicians, such as Youssou Ndour and Ismail Lo,
writers, and artists, and is at the forefront of Africa's
pharmaceutical and computer industries. At the same time,
Senegalese products have been pirated or counterfeited openly
in Senegal's markets, alongside exported works, and with few
repercussions. This has led some musicians, artists and
writers to abandon their work and seek other livelihoods.

IPR AS A POLICY TOOL AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHT
--------------

3. The Director General of the Bureau Senegalais du Droit
d'Auteur (BSDA),Senegal's copyright office, made an opening
speech in which she discussed the importance of IPR as a tool
for use in the formulation of economic and cultural policy,
as well as a source of inspiration for creativity. Director

General Ndeye Siby also discussed Senegal's need for a modern
judicial framework, referring to the bill she helped draft to
update Senegal's copyright laws (Reftel). She stressed two
points: (1) IPR must not be an instrument for division
between the developing and developed world; and (2) everyone
has the fundamental right to express their cultural identity.

AMBASSADOR JACOBS' REMARKS
--------------

4. Ambassador Jacobs echoed Siby's words by saying everyone
has the right to enjoy the fruits of their intellectual labor
and by adding that such labor is an important element in
economic growth. Although all the Ambassador's remarks were
well received, the moment having the most impact was when she
described the cost of trade in illegal products in terms of
lost revenue and risks to individual safety and health. Her
comments were subsequently cited by many participants as well
as local media, including the pro-government daily Le Soleil,
major radio station Sud FM, the Senegalese Press Agency and
several other national newspapers.

THE U.S. PERSPECTIVE
--------------

5. USPTO's Michael Adlin and Michael Schlesinger, Vice
President of the International Intellectual Property Alliance
(IIPA),spoke of the misguided belief that IPR infringement
is not a concern for Africa. Adlin noted the fact that
African artists and students are going elsewhere; African
governments are missing out on tax revenue from sales of
legitimate products; and other countries are unwilling to
transfer technology to Africa because of the lack of
security. Schlesinger demonstrated the importance of
cultural ideas to the U.S. economy and pointed out the need
for Senegal to create a framework for nurturing and
protecting artists.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE BY PARTICIPANTS
--------------

6. Participants responded to all presentations with spirited
comments and questions. One common theme was the need for
concerted political will to harmonize Senegal's IPR laws with
its commitments under international agreements, such as those
under the World Trade Organization (WTO),to enforce IPR laws
already on its books, and to stop importing infringing goods.
Captain Ndiaye of the Customs Office agreed the law needs to
be revised and said he wants to stop the flow of infringing
goods, which leads to a "society in decay."

IRC SUPPORT FOR THE WORKSHOP
--------------

DAKAR 00001307 002.3 OF 002



7. In support of the workshop, post's Information Resource
Center (IRC) showcased background material in French and
English on IPR, including a webliography of key Internet
sites reflecting U.S. policies and accomplishments in this
area. The IRC offered copies of the IIP publications, "Droit
de la Propriete Intellectuelle" and the "Bush Administration
Strategy of Targeting Organized Piracy," as well as
information on the Intellectual Property Rights Training
Program Database. Several government officials in
attendance, including BSDA Director General Siby and Ndeye
Adji Diop Sall, Director of the Office of Intellectual
Property at the Ministry of Industry, signed up to receive
additional information from the IRC on IPR issues.

COMMENT
--------------

8. The large turn-out showed a growing interest in
addressing the problem head-on. The invitees were so eager
to discuss among themselves that they did not want to take
breaks during the four and one-half hour session. Many
thanked Embassy staff for hosting the workshop and pleaded
for follow-up events to focus on more specific issues, such
as problems facing handicraft artisans and textile
manufacturers. Embassy plans to encourage development of
focus groups to work on such specific issues and also to meet
with Senegal's Customs Office and discuss ways it can work
with US Customs to improve procedures. END COMMENT.


9. Michael Adlin has cleared this message.
JACOBS