Liberians to receive education on intellectual property

The decision was communicated by LIPO’s director-general, Theresa Thomas, who said her establishment would work with students in the Liberian capital Monrovia and conduct a raid aimed at curbing piracy “by 80% in order to create an enabling environment for creativity to strive”.

Thomas’s plan is likely to be met with enthusiasm from the Liberian music industry, which loses revenue to piracy every year. In 2014, The Economist reported that “piracy is still a large problem” in the country.

Four years later, the situation is yet to change. In February, veteran musician Nyan Dokpa called for artists to start a union. “Once we come together as a union, we will be able to press on the government to stop piracy,” he said, adding that “young musicians are not willing to join the union, so people are taking advantage by exploiting us”.

While the artists strive to find a way, LIPO has noted the effect of piracy on the economy. “We are fully aware that the current high rate of piracy continues to deter potential creators from exploring their creativity as well as discouraging investors from investing in the creative industries,” Thomas said.

“While the extensive public-awareness campaign is currently ongoing, it is geared toward educating the general public about intellectual property; it’s beneficial and brings to light the negative effect of stealing someone else’s creation.”

LIPO said its activities would also establish creative hubs and empower collective management organisations (CMOs) to become functional in providing a framework by which owners of intellectual property receive royalties. On the other hand, the hubs will help students and Liberians find creative inspiration.

“It is about time our creators make money from their work. And the best way is through the CMO, which when functioning, can bring about long-term returns and investment for the creators. It is sad that they produce works and yet they cannot benefit from them.”

Thomas conceded that there was a dearth of funding for the project but she also expressed optimism.

“I’m hoping that the lawmakers will include something sizeable for us in [the] 2018-19 budget. We asked for something good and hope they give it. No matter the situation, our goal is to make Liberia a knowledge-based country. We already have a plan B, just in case of any setback that will become a hindrance to the full execution of our plan,” she said.