The Authority held a consultation forum with scholars and researchers on March 28 and 29/2024 in Bishoftu city to review the patent amendment draft. Scholars and researchers from more than 16 universities and more than 8 research and development institutions participated in the forum.
The Director General of the Authority, Woldu Ymessel noted that the number of patents that have been registered is very small due to the problems arising from the gaps in the existing patent proclamation, the general system and lack of awareness. Therefore, he said that it is important to improve the patent law, and for this input and participation of academics is crucial, he added.
The Executive Director of the Ethiopian Science Academy, Prof. Teketel Yohannes, said that effective patent system is essential to make our inventions and research results competitive and to ensure the benefit of innovators. He added that there is a need for laws and enforcement to deal effectively with the digital and other technology sectors that the era has produced.
The basic content of the existing patent law, concept, procedure and related issues and gaps that were being observed presented by Getachew Tafa, Executive of Patent and Technology Transfer in the Authority. The draft of the new Patent Proclamation Amendment also presented in detail by Firew Hailu, Executive of Legal Service.
On the discussion moderated by Brook Haile (Ph.D.), Dean Addis Ababa University Law School, detail evaluation was made on each article.
Speaking at the end of the consultation, Deputy Director General of the Authority Endalu Mosisa stated that the authority is carrying out various reform works to improve the laws it administers and to update the procedures. He thanked the participants for their input and correction ideas and also called on them to contribute further to the completion of the law.
