The three-segment World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) celebration started at the University on 16 April 2025 and will end at the same venue on 25 April 2025. MUT is hosting this annual event, whose media launch on 16 April was well covered by provincial and national media.
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) was organised by MUT and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) through the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO); CIPC; Department of Trade and Industry and Competition; the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA); the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA); Durban University of Technology; University of Zululand; University of KwaZulu-Natal; and the Durban Film Office (DFO), some of whose representatives were present at the event.
The theme for celebrating the event this year is: “Intellectual Property and Music – Feel the beat.” The aim is to highlight the critical role that Intellectual Property (IP) plays in South Africa’s dynamic music industry, which has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. The brilliant music performance highlighted the importance of music in the general society. Speakers from various organisations highlighted a dire need for artists to be aware of how important it is to obtain protection for their inventions. The underlying tone from the speakers was that every part of the music has a source; it has been properly owned, and those who invented it must accrue the right benefits from the mental effort they put into it. The outcome of this mental effort is what is termed Intellectual Property.
Dr Mandla Hlongwane, Deputy Director: Intellectual Property at MUT’s Research directorate, said one of the objectives of the event was to deal with the exploitation of artists. “You may be aware that most musicians’ hard work gets exploited with no proper compensation. We are bringing together key industry players such as South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), Independent Music Performance Rights Association (IMPRA), KwaZulu-Natal United Music Industry Association (KUMISA), and musicians, to share the journey in their music careers. Emphasis will be put on copyright,” said Dr Hlongwane.
The media and other attendees at the event also benefited from a speech by Nomonde Maimela, Executive Manager: Innovation and Creativity, CIPC. Among the informative messages Maimela directed at the media was that “IP solves problems. It plays a role in the economy. Potential investors first ask how vibrant the IP in the area is. They want to see that their assets will be protected”. Maimela lamented the fact that a South African student who invented a cure for breast cancer was forced to leave for the United States because they could not get assistance in South Africa. Now the South Africans must pay a lot for benefiting from the student’s invention. She was highlighting how important it was for those who invent things to be given an ear, and be given assistance to develop their ideas, and have their ideas protected.
Like all others, Maimela danced to the tune of the Mthuthu Music band, and when delivering her speech, said, “We also enjoy music. What could we be without music? It accompanies the ups and downs of life. CIPC regulates IP. One of the mechanisms it uses is the copyright to ensure that the creation of music is rewarded. The organisation also approves the distribution of music. “There is economic reward in creating music”, said Maimela.
Maimela also drew the artists’ attention to artificial intelligence (AI), advising them to take advantage of its benefits. “IP is related to AI. AI has brought opportunities. It is debated at the government level. But we are aware that AI has brought challenges,” Maimela said. She thanked the musicians for their performance and requested they take the message to their peers.