Protection of University-Based Intellectual Property in Zambia

Abstract

Although there was some published literature on the general field of Intellectual Property (IPs) for Zambia, little was known regarding Zambian university-based intellectual property protection. The study, therefore, explored this phenomenon as a case, from the lens of the resource-based theory with an argument that university-based intellectual properties form part of intangible resources that would enhance the competitiveness of each university if harnessed properly. The study revealed that only 5 out of 62 legally recognized universities in Zambian had registered IPs at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) in the form of patents, trademarks and designs. The trends in filing and registration of IPs within the period 2010 to 2021 were generally low. Only two public universities had a combined total of three registered patents and records on protecting their academic gowns as designs with the rest (3) recording only trademarks. Among other, limited IP knowledge, absence and/or unfair institutional policies and absence/centralization of Technology Transfer offices were some of the factors that affected the filing of university-based IPs. The study recommended deliberate awareness raising intervention for the public and investing in IP-related research to improve the situation.