The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), in partnership with the Burkinabe government, began on Friday, at the opening of the 17th edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO), discussions on the protection of artisanal and industrial products in order to promote creation and innovation.The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, kicked off the 17th edition of the African Crafts Biennale on Friday, October 25, 2024.For the occasion, the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), in partnership with the Burkinabe State, began discussions in the afternoon on the protection of artisanal and industrial products, with a view to promoting creation and stimulating innovation."This training is an opportunity for our students to better learn about the different designs and models, and especially about the protection they could provide for their works," said the Deputy Director General (DGA) of the Ouagadougou Polytechnic School (EPO), Dr Boris Ouédraogo, spokesperson for the communicators.Four presentations punctuated this conference, which was themed: 'Designs, industrial models and crafts'.These are the presentations of the Principal Assistant in charge of clients in the Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Indications sector, Sarah Velontahiana, and the Industrial Designs Examiner, Bernadette Ngo Mbaga épse Djonga.The DGA of EPO, Dr Ouédraogo, and the designer and training engineering expert, Babacar Sylla, also shared their know-how with the participants, who are students from vocational training schools.For Dr. Ouédraogo, the actors and professionals of the sector will debate, among other things, models, design, policies for the protection of artisanal and industrial works, legal frameworks for protection, and the role of universities and grandes écoles in creation, etc."The protection of craft and industrial works allows us to protect ourselves from competition and to have exclusivity on the different products created," he explained.The permanent secretary of the National Center for Intellectual Property of the Ministry in charge of Crafts, Charles Wendinda Ribgoalinga, for his part congratulated the initiative of OAPI, which works for the well-being of African artisans.Mr. Ribgoalinga specified that the Burkinabe government wants to make the craft sector a priority to promote creativity in the country.Established in September 1962, OAPI is a regional organization covering 17 countries in West and Central Africa, with headquarters in Yaoundé, Cameroon.Source: Burkina Information Agency
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