Use of Utility Model Protection by Manufacturing SMEs at Magaba Complex, Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The objective of utility model protection is to protect minor or incremental innovations that do not meet patentability criteria but involve inventive steps and are industrially applicable. Effective utilization of the utility model system is regarded as instrumental to industrial development of economies through protection of innovations mainly from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector. However, there is little documented evidence from a Zimbabwean perspective, a country whose SMEs contributes more than 50% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The purpose of this research was to undertake an in-depth assessment on the use of utility model protection of by manufacturing SMEs at Magaba Complex in Harare as well as examining the factors that affect the use of utility model protection by these SMEs. The first chapter delivered a hypothetical groundwork to some of the more real-world issues which were discussed in the succeeding chapters. Literature review was dedicated to the second chapter which critically examined the existing body of knowledge, indicators and conclusions of studies already done in this field. A mixed method approach was employed in the third chapter in order to have a more comprehensive study on the impact use of utility model protection and to enhance the quality of the findings through the use of questionnaires, in-depth interviews and document analysis. A total of fifty manufacturing SMEs were selected through systematic random sampling. Data analysis was extra descriptive since it afforded the researcher dialogue with representatives of the sample of the manufacturing SMEs and officials from ZIPO and ARIPO. The research identified and established the extent to which the innovations by this adaptive sector of Zimbabwe’s economy are registered and protected as utility models. According to the research findings, it was noted that there is suggestively very low levels of utility model protection due to lack of awareness and the basic understanding of the concept and other factors that hinders the utilization of utility model protection system by manufacturing SMEs at Magaba Complex. In this regard it was concluded that the utility models system is not being utilized by manufacturing SMEs to stimulate creativity and innovation for the protection of minor and incremental innovations that do not meet patentable criteria. In order to reap the rewards of their innovations, manufacturing SMEs must start protecting their IP in form of utility models and the government must support this by coming up with domestic laws that guarantees protection of utility models, policies, legislative and related measures should also be created to complement the utility model system for the benefit of the manufacturing SMEs and the country.