Inventor Assistance Program shields Kenyans from exploitation

A new technology that helps in protecting inventors from exploitation has begun to bear fruits.

The technology, according to proponents, gives inventors opportunity to link with experts who in turn patent their projects with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) free of charge.

The Project, Inventor Assistance Program (IAP), was launched in the country two years ago by KIPI with the help of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

It is aimed at connecting inventors, including the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which have limited financial means, with patent specialists.

John Onyango, KIPI Managing Director, said since the launch of the programme, the Institute has received 19 applications, out of which 10 have been selected and matched to various volunteers who are industrial property (IP) Agents and other IP specialists.

“I am happy to inform you that one of the applications has already been filed with us at KIPI and some are being processed for filing,” Mr. Onyango announcing during a webinar organized by KIPI and WIPO for inventors and IP specialists.

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He noted the IP experts provide pro bono (free of charge) legal assistance to help the inventors to secure patent protection. This way, the Program is linking up inventors and MSMEs with IP specialists.

“This is important because most of our MSMEs are unable to file their patent applications since they lack relevant knowledge on the filing process,” said Mr. Onyango.

With involvement of IP specialist, he said, the IAP  has helped MSMEs file applications with ease, relieving them from rejections that would happen at formality stage for not complying with certain requirements. 

He said this makes it clear that the MSMEs need support and guidance for their inventions to see the light of day and benefit them economically and socially, which ultimately contributes to national economic growth.

“We urge our inventors and innovators to come forward and utilise the Program because we now have 35 volunteers ready to assist you provided you meet the set criteria for joining the Program,” he stated.

Kenya joined the Program in 2023, becoming the ninth participating country in the world, and the third in the continent after South Africa and Morocco.

Ms. Allison Mages of WIPO said innovation is a driving force behind economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, and in Kenya innovation has been strategically embedded into the country’s long-term vision –Vision 2030.

“This partnership stands as a testament to the Country’s commitment to support and ensure that under-resourced Kenyan inventors have the opportunity to protect and commercialize their ideas,” said Ms. Meges, Head of Intellectual Property (IP) Commercialization Section of the Innovation Ecosystems Sector at WIPO.

 Ms. Mary Mutoro, a Partner, Mukele Moni and Company Advocates and IAP Volunteer, said she took the Program as an opportunity to utilise her experience to give back to society by helping inventors to access and use the patent system to protect and commercialise their inventions, which they otherwise would not due to limited or lack of resources.

“We are currently handling a patent application in mechanical engineering. We have so far held four meetings with the inventor,” said Ms. Mutoro who is also a KIPI Board Member representing the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

She added: "We are in the final stages of preparing the application for filing.”