Southern and Eastern Africa Copyright Network (SEACONET) 2011 Expert Meeting

The South and Eastern Africa Copyright Network shall be holding a meeting hosted by the Kenya Copyright Board from July 18 to 20, 2011. The purpose of the meeting is to finalise the Draft Model Law for East and Southern Africa.

This is a follow up meeting to one that was hosted by the US Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO) in Johannesburg in January this year. The experts include Mr. Serman Chavula, of SEACONET, Ms Dora Salamba, the Administrator, Copryight Society of Malawi (COSOMA), Mrs Nkah Monyatsi of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) Mr, Joel Baloyi and Expert from South Africa, Ms Tsitsi Mariwo an expert from Zimbabwe, Mr. Benjamin Hardman from the USPTO and KECOBO Executive Director Dr. Marisella Ouma.

During the three day workshop, the experts will work on a Draft Model Law which shall be adopted by SEACONET.

Background of SEACONET:
The Southern and Eastern Africa Copyright Network (SEACONET) was formally launched by ministers responsible for copyright matters from the sub-region on 30th May, 2008. This was preceded by a consultative meeting of officials from copyright offices and copyright societies held on 28th and 29th May, 2008.

What is SEACONET?
A network of copyright offices, collective management organizations, rights holder organizations and other organizations that are interested in copyright and related rights issues. A sub-regional platform for sharing information from a broad perspective on issues of copyright and related rights. Membership is open to countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. The member countries include Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

NB: SEACONET’s work is not aimed at duplicating but complimenting the work of WIPO, ARIPO, SADC, COMESA, and East African Community (EAC) in the field of copyright and related rights.