Microsoft Kenya country manager, Kunle Awosika shake hands with Kenya Copyright Board Executive director Dr. Marisella Ouma after the signing of memorandum of understanding between Microsoft and Kenya Copyright Board Photo: CIO
Microsoft East Africa has officially handed over an online registration portal for copyright works to the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO). The online registration IP Hub system, developed in collaboration with Microsoft 4Afrika, will be looking at replacing the current manual process of copyright registration in Kenya, which involves downloading registration forms, paying via M-Pesa and submitting the forms to KECOBO office.
“With the new system, users will no longer have to come to the KECOBO office in-person to submit their applications,” said Dr M. Ouma, KECOBO Executive Director.
By simplifying the process and getting users to complete the entire process online, KECOBO hopes to promote a stronger culture of IP protection across the country.
“The goal with the IP Hub is to provide a learning resource for innovators, where they can learn all about Intellectual Property (IP) that is copyright, trademarks, patents and general IP protection,” says Louis Otieno, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Microsoft 4Afrika.
“Together with KECOBO, we’re now moving to the next step to create a system where users, after learning about how to protect their IP, can easily go online, register their work and receive the necessary legal documents.”
The Hub seeks to educate innovators on all aspects of IP, and is currently looking at developing 6 new learning modules around IP.
