This document discusses the role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in enabling or impeding the application of agricultural biotechnologies in Africa. It notes that plant breeding in Africa is led by public sector institutions and that technology transfer is a major challenge. The document outlines IPRs like patents, plant variety protection, trademarks, and trade secrets. It discusses how the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research has changed its IP policy and practices to focus on licensing for impact through strategic management, public-private partnerships, and technology transfer. The document debunks some myths around IPRs and recommends that donors support capacity for public-private partnerships and facilitate partnerships to apply agricultural biotechnologies in Africa.

1. The role of IPRs in enabling or impeding the application of Agricultural
Biotechnologies
Leveraging IP for a viable seed sector in Africa
Linda Opati
ILRI IP & Legal Counsel
FAO Regional Meeting on Ag-Biotech in Sustainable Food Systems and Nutrition in Sub-
Saharan Africa
23 November 2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. In Akin’s
words…..
“One day Africa will feed itself”
Akinwumi Adesina, 2017 WFP Laureate
2

3. Discussion
IPR laws and their
objectives
1
Managing IP for
impact:The CGIAR
evolution
2
Debunking IP
myths &
Recommendations
3
3

4. Quick Facts
Plant breeding in Africa is led by the
public sector - IARCs and NARs
Tech transfer is a major impediment to
to improved seed varieties
Only SA, KE,Tunisia, Morocco,TZ -
UPOV members; no plant patents in
Africa
IARCs, NARs must improve IP capacity
capacity for effective PPPs andTech
Transfer 4

5. IPRs
Copyright
Patents
Industrial Designs
PVP/PBRs
Trade Marks
Database Rights
GIs
Trade Secrets
Territorial
Public
disclosure
AgBiotech
Patents
and PBRs;
Exclusive
rights

6. IPR laws: Global, country, institutional levels
1994TRIPs universal IP
standards,WTO members.
UPOV 78, 91 voluntary
uniform PBRs.
2001 (FAO) (ITPGRFA) ABS
for PGRFA.
1994 CBD & 2014 Nagoya
Protocol: ABS for AnGR,TK
Glob
al
IPRs granted by
national
governments.
Reflect international
obligations
TRIPS is mandatory
UPOV voluntary,
PBRs not harmonized.
harmonized.
Coun
try
ForTech transfer:-
transfer:-
IP policies &
practices
Contracts
Scientific, Legal
capacity
Institl
6

7. CGIAR Change:
IP for IMPACT
1
1. Change:
New IP Policy
Licensing’ for
impact
Strategic IP
mngmt., PPPs
& tech
transfer
2
2. Licensing:-
IP ownership
Excl. License
Licensing-in
Humanitarian
Licenses
sMTAs, MTAs
Perf.Mngmt
Contracts
Royalties
3
3. Capacity:-
IP lawyers
CoPs
Sharing of
info
CGIAR IA
Reports
publicly
available
7

8. Debunking IP myths &
Recommendations
Myths
IPRs & FTO
Farmer’s rights
PBRs - research, EDVs
Plants not patentable
Patents rich source for R&D
Territoriality
Biotech easy to copy
Donors
Can influence
policies
Support PPP
capacity
Facilitate PPPs
Document PPPs
8

9. Q&A
Thank you