The CIPC IP Youth Awards

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) of South Africa hosted the second CIPC IP Youth Awards in Fourways, Johannesburg, under the theme, ‘Young Ideas – South Africa’s Future Gold Standard’.

The second edition of the awards expands on the first by exploring how IP can be used as a strategic tool for developing new opportunities, particularly for those starting out in this field of law.

Advocate Rory Voller emphasised the importance of protecting IP, especially for innovators, to fully gain the benefits from ideas. Issues of counterfeiting and small business development were also addressed, including empowering entrepreneurs with access to knowledge and information to protect their business ideas and ensure their sustainable growth, therefore encouraging further innovation and creativity.

In support of the initiative, Adams & Adams contributed R100,000 in IP services to the award winners, which includes the preparation of patent specifications and drawings, and the filing of South African patent or design applications.

Later in March, Advocate Voller echoed these sentiments at the sixth Annual Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialisation Colloquium, held at the Sol Plaatjie University in Kimberley, Northern Cape. The colloquium was hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, in collaboration with the CIPC and Sol Plaatjie University, to encourage collaboration between creators, academics and the government. Discussions focused on the National Commercialisation Strategy and how economic value can be derived from the commercialisation of IP. In her address, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Alexandra Abrahams, reiterated the need for collaboration between entities.

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