Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1039
2008-06-05 13:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: USG IPR TRAINING INCREASING LOCAL SKILLS

Tags:  KIPR ETRD ECON NI 
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VZCZCXRO2103
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1039/01 1571344
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051344Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3026
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 9366
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001039 

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS TO USTR- AGAMA AND GARDE, EXIM-JRICHTER, USPTO-THICKEY
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS, 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS AND CLDP
NEZERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ETRD ECON NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: USG IPR TRAINING INCREASING LOCAL SKILLS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001039

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS TO USTR- AGAMA AND GARDE, EXIM-JRICHTER, USPTO-THICKEY
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS, 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS AND CLDP
NEZERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ETRD ECON NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: USG IPR TRAINING INCREASING LOCAL SKILLS


1. Summary: IPR violations are a major problem in Nigeria and
Mission Nigeria is working closely with the Nigerian Government
(GON) to improve the skills and effectiveness of several key
agencies. In the past 12 months more than 40 GON officials have
participated in various United States Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO) Global Intellectual Academy (GIPA) training programs. The
programs have focused on copyright, enforcement of intellectual
property, patents, and trademarks. The participants have praised
the quality of the programs, thanked the USG for additional skills
acquired, and subsequently returned to Nigeria afterwards. Mission
Nigeria will continue this robust engagement with two programs
planned for in-country training slated for June 24-26 and August
18-19. We have not yet seen tangible results decreasing piracy;
however, based on these capacity building programs, over the next
year we expect that enforcement actions and prosecutions will
increase - leading to less piracy. End Summary.


2. Mission Nigeria has built strong relationships with GON agencies
responsible for IP over the past year. These agencies have
expressed need for capacity building and through the support
provided by the USPTO and its GIPA programs the USG has trained a
cadre of highly competent and senior GON officials. Since 2005 GON
agencies, such as the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC),Patent,
Trademark and Design Registry of the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry (MCI),Nigerian Police, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS),
Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),the National Office for
Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP),and the Office of the
Attorney General and Minister of Justice have participated in
programs focused on trademark administration, copyright
administration, border enforcement of intellectual property rights,
implementation of the Madrid Protocol on IP, trademark examination,
patent industrial design, enforcement of IP, copyright in the
digital environment, advanced patent law, and advanced trademark
law.


3. The training programs have comprised classroom teaching, group
discussions and study tours at GIPA. Participants were exposed to
various aspects of IP protection in the U.S., held discussions with
U.S. industry during the programs, and were exposed to current
global issues on IP protection via discussions with participants
from other countries.
.
GIPA Training Programs A Big Success
--------------
.

4. In briefings following attendance at GIPA, all participants have
told us that the quality of teaching was excellent and the study
tours very useful for better understanding how procedures are
implemented in the U.S. Participants specifically mentioned the
practical hands-on experience afforded them during the training
programs which has improved their skills and competence in
performing their own duties.


5. Participants also mentioned that the training not only improved
their knowledge of IP protection, but instilled an eagerness to
apply these new skills in their current jobs. Participants from the
Nigerian Patent, Trademark and Design Registry specifically
commended the opportunity to participate in a tribunal proceeding
and having a practical experience in non-judicial adjudication of
patents and trademarks. This was timely because the Nigerian
Patent, Trademark and Design Registry was in th