LIPO Concludes Successful Two-Day Awareness Drive on Intellectual Property in Grand Bassa County
The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) has successfully concluded a two-day awareness drive on intellectual property (IP) in Grand Bassa County, held from September 12-13 in Buchanan City. This initiative is a key component of LIPO’s ongoing campaign to educate the public about the significance of intellectual property, including critical areas such as trademarks, patents, copyrights, and industrial designs, while promoting respect for IP rights.
The awareness drive kicked off with a series of meetings that engaged a diverse range of local stakeholders. Participants included representatives from the Mayor’s Office, educators from Grand Bassa University College, and students from several high schools, including Bassa High and the Seventh-day Adventist School. These discussions centered on the establishment of a Technology and Innovation Support Center and the creation of an Intellectual Property High School Club, with commitments made for future follow-ups.
The LIPO delegation also appeared on Ableejay Radio, Grand Bassa’s most prominent radio station, further extending the reach of the IP awareness campaign to engage a broader audience.
“The excitement and interest from the people of Bassa in learning more about intellectual property were overwhelming,” noted Ms. Jamus P. Bannah, LIPO Program and Outreach Manager. “This reinforces the importance of our IP awareness campaign, which aims to educate our citizens about the value of intellectual property protection and respect.”
Ms. Bannah emphasized that Grand Bassa, like many other counties, is filled with creative and innovative talent that remains untapped due to a lack of knowledge about protecting their ideas. “We are making this investment to provide them with the knowledge they need,” she added.
Buchanan City Manager Thomas K. Nimely expressed the county leadership’s enthusiasm for LIPO’s visit, calling it a historic moment for the people of Buchanan and Grand Bassa County. He highlighted the importance of LIPO’s efforts, stating that they equip the community with the knowledge to “fully utilize IP laws to protect their creativity and innovations” while respecting IP rights.
“Educating our people about intellectual property opens doors to economic empowerment and the development of our local industries,” Mr. Nimely stated. “This is a major step toward ensuring that our creators and innovators are properly recognized and rewarded for their work.”
LIPO’s team effectively communicated the complexities of intellectual property in simple terms, ensuring that Liberians from all walks of life in Buchanan City could engage with the material.
Intellectual property rights are deeply integrated into the daily lives of all Liberians. For example, the smartphones, logos on clothing, and software used for work or entertainment all represent IP that is protected by various legal frameworks. These protections ensure ownership is recognized and that no one can use, copy, or profit from these innovations without permission from the owner.
Following a similar initiative in Montserrado County, the Grand Bassa awareness drive aims not only to educate the public on IP and enhance the protection of IP assets but also to combat piracy and demonstrate how IP rights can stimulate economic growth, encourage entrepreneurship, and safeguard local innovations.
As part of the three-month awareness campaign, other initiatives include the “Intellectual Property Hour” on JoyFM and a “Social Media Influencers Campaign,” both designed to amplify the message of IP protection and engage broader audiences. The weekly IP Hour on JoyFM provides in-depth information on various aspects of intellectual property, featuring expert discussions and public interactions. Additionally, the social media campaign utilizes platforms like Facebook to share information, engage with the public, and encourage active participation in discussions about intellectual property issues.
