The Role of the Tanzania Intellectual Property Advisory Services and Information Center (TIPASIC)

1. The Role of the Tanzania Intellectual Property Advisory Services and Information Center (TIPASIC) Presenter: Shemdoe, G.S. (PhD) Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) EMail: gshemdoe@costech.or.tz Mob. +255 715 897 877

2. Background • 80% of all technical information is available from patent documents. • Utilization of patent information in developed countries has contributed greatly to advancement of technologies. • WIPO realized the importance and started movement to establish centres in developing countries to promote use of patent information.

3. Synopsis • The initiative for establishment of TIPASIC started in 2005. • WIPO, BRELA and COSTECH together organized a Workshop on patent documentation for researchers on 25th-26th October 2005. • Another Workshop on management of intellectual property advisory services and information centre was held at CoET on 18th – 22nd December 2006. • On 27th March 2007 TIPASIC was officially launched.

4. A SIC TIP Location

5. Mission of TIPASIC Provision of patent information and advisory services on matters related to intellectual property for the advancement of technical capacity and economic development of Tanzania

6. Objectives To promote and facilitate access to patent information To promote commercialization of local inventions/innovations To expand the base of IP creation in Tanzania (Enhance innovations to the society) To strengthen institutional mechanisms to acquire and support IPR 6

7. TIPASIC Customers Higher learning and R&D institutions Researchers Inventors & Innovators Public in general 7

8. Services provided by TIPASIC Providing Patent Information Providing advises on preparation of Patent Application Document Technology Transfer: selection and agreements Creating awareness and sensitization on IP issues 8

9. Details of Services .

10. Details of Services .

11. Status of Services Provided

12. IP Sensitization Seminars

13. IP awareness & sensitization seminars 13

14. Establishment of IPMOs 14

15. Establishment of Databases 15

16. Publications 16

17. Access to Patent information • TIPASIC staffs conduct patent search for clients visiting the centre. • Researchers who attended the seminars can conduct patent search at their own places. • TIPASIC uses free patent internet database (www.espacenet.com). • Patent information can also be accessed from CD-ROMS

18. Publicity of TIPASIC • Means like brochures, fryers, posters, newsletters and media have been used to publicize TIPASIC. • TIPASIC staffs have been introducing the centre during IPR sensitization seminars. • Brochures and fryers have been distributed to scientific conferences, exhibitions and workshops. • 2 newsletters have been distributed electronically to a few stakeholders.

19. Future Plans • Further IPR sensitization seminars to media people and policy makers. • Continue with Establishment of TTO at R&D institutions. • See incorporation of IPR issues in research proposals administered by COSTECH. • Strengthen TIPASIC publicity. • Continue offering the envisaged services

20. Challenges • Low IP awareness of walk in users of TIPASIC. • Lack of awareness of existence of Patent Information • Lack of working facilities at R&D institutions (e.g. Internet connectivity). • Inadequate expertise in IP issues . • Understaffing at TIPASIC

21. Conclusions Despite the few successes, TIPASIC is still underutilized. We urge the scientific community, innovators& inventors, entrepreneurs, and the public at large to make use of this facility 21

22. Thank you for your attention