Intellectual Property Law: The Case of Nigeria Law Dissertation (Dissertation Sample)

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW AND TRIPS: THE CASE OF NIGERIA
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO DERBY LAW SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF LAW
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW
BY
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SUPERVISED BY XXXXXXXXXX
AT DERBY LAW SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF DERBY UNITED KINGDOM
Abstract:
MINT countries are frontier economies projected to have a double-digit economic growth rate. Developmental challenges faced by these countries arise from patent protection, innovation, foreign direct investment and research and development. To ensure it meets projected growth, these countries would need to protect against trade disputes settlements regarding copyright piracy and patent protection. Compliance with the TRIPS Agreement would provide minimum standards of intellectual property rights. This study will seek to examine the extent of Nigerian laws and legislation comply to TRIPS Agreement.
Nigeria has fallen behind in complying with the TRIPS Agreement as it viewed intellectual property as a novelty. The Agreement has been accused by scholars of protecting the interests of the developed countries above those of the developing members. Despite this, the Federal Court in Nigeria has been given jurisdiction over intellectual property cases. However, rulings have been inadequate and inconsistent. The various Acts (Copyright Act, Patent and Design Act and the Trade Marks Act are outdated and require updating. This study found that enforcement is hampered by the lack of knowledge rife in the government agencies that are mandated to protect intellectual property.
Keywords: Nigeria, Intellectual Property, TRIPS Agreement, Compliance, Enforcement
Word: 15191
Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Abstract: PAGEREF _Toc534796630 \h 2Table of Contents PAGEREF _Toc534796631 \h 3Abbreviations PAGEREF _Toc534796632 \h 5Table of Cases PAGEREF _Toc534796633 \h 7Table of Legislation PAGEREF _Toc534796634 \h 8Acknowledgements PAGEREF _Toc534796635 \h 10Author’s Declaration PAGEREF _Toc534796636 \h 111.Introduction PAGEREF _Toc534796637 \h 121.1.Introduction to the Study PAGEREF _Toc534796638 \h 121.2.Background PAGEREF _Toc534796639 \h 151.3.Research Problem and Statement PAGEREF _Toc534796640 \h 191.4.Outline of Dissertation PAGEREF _Toc534796641 \h 202.Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc534796642 \h 222.1.TRIPS Agreement PAGEREF _Toc534796643 \h 222.2.Existing Literature PAGEREF _Toc534796644 \h 292.3.Jurisdiction of Intellectual Property Law in Nigeria PAGEREF _Toc534796645 \h 333.Copyright Law PAGEREF _Toc534796646 \h 383.1.Copyright Law in Nigeria PAGEREF _Toc534796647 \h 383.2.TRIPS Agreement Compliance PAGEREF _Toc534796648 \h 413.3.Impact Assessment PAGEREF _Toc534796649 \h 434.Patent Law PAGEREF _Toc534796650 \h 454.1.Patent Law in Nigeria PAGEREF _Toc534796651 \h 454.2.Compliance with TRIPS Agreement PAGEREF _Toc534796652 \h 494.3.Modifications Required PAGEREF _Toc534796653 \h 515.Trade Mark Legislation PAGEREF _Toc534796654 \h 525.1.Trade Mark Law in Nigeria PAGEREF _Toc534796655 \h 525.2.Compliance with TRIPS Agreement PAGEREF _Toc534796656 \h 545.3.Modifications Required PAGEREF _Toc534796657 \h 566.Challenges and Enforcement PAGEREF _Toc534796658 \h 577.Conclusion and Recommendations PAGEREF _Toc534796659 \h 61Bibliography PAGEREF _Toc534796660 \h 64SECONDARY SOURCES PAGEREF _Toc534796661 \h 64Books PAGEREF _Toc534796662 \h 64Contributions to Edited Works PAGEREF _Toc534796663 \h 65Journal Articles PAGEREF _Toc534796664 \h 65Websites and E-Journals PAGEREF _Toc534796665 \h 67
Abbreviations
BRICS: Brazil Russia India China South Africa
CA: Copyright Act
CFRN: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
CLAMP: Copyright Litigation and Mediation Programme
COSON: Copyright Society of Nigeria
FDI: Foreign Direct Investment
GATS: General Agreement on Trade in Services
GATT: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
IP: Intellectual Property
IPR: Intellectual Property Rights
IPRL: Intellectual Property Reference Library
LFN: Laws of the Federation of Nigeria
MINT: Mexico Indonesia Nigeria Thailand
N: Nigerian Naira
NAFDAC: National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
NCC: Nigerian Copyright Commission
NCS: Nigerian Customs Service
NIPLD: Nigerian Intellectual Property Judicial Decisions
NOTAP: National Office Technology Acquisition and Promotion
NWLR: Nigerian Weekly Law Reports
PMAN: Performing Musicians Employee Association of Nigeria
STRAP: Strategic Action Against Piracy
SON: Standard Organisation of Nigeria
TRIPS: Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
USA: United States of America
USD: United States Dollar
WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organisation
WTO: World Trade Organisation
Table of Cases
Ayman Enterprises Ltd. V. Akuma Industries Ltd (2003) 13 NWLR (Pt. 836) 22 S.C.
Beijing Cotec New Technology Corp & Anor v. Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd & 5 Ors (2003) 46 NIPJD [FHC. 2003] 718/2003
Capital Bancorp Ltd v. Shelter Savings and Loans Ltd (2007) LPELR-SC.27/2000
Chief J E Oshevire v. British Caledonian Airways Ltd (1990) 7 NWLR (Pt.163) 507
International Tobacco (NIG) Ltd v. British American Tobacco Nigeria & Anor (2013) 56 NIPJD [CA.2013] 43/2012
Jobela Nigeria Enterprises Ltd. V. Kupolati (2005) All FWLR p 1729. FHC/L/CS/1106/03
Microsoft Corporation v. Franike Associates Ltd (2008) 54 NIPJD [CA.2011] 573/2008