Table of Contents
1. Issue __________________________________________________________________________ 3
2. Background ____________________________________________________________________ 3
2.1 Rationale for intellectual property _____________________________________________________ 4
2.2 The international context: WIPO & TRIPS Agreement ____________________________________ 4
2.3 The Rwandan context: IP administration________________________________________________ 5
2.4 The Rwandan context: IP enforcement__________________________________________________ 6
2.5 Science, technology and innovation: context and indicators_________________________________ 6

3. Vision, mission and objectives ______________________________________________________ 7
3.1 Vision and mission of the Intellectual Property Policy _____________________________________ 7
3.2 Objectives of the Intellectual Property Policy ____________________________________________ 8

4. Analysis_______________________________________________________________________ 10
4.1 Technology transfer ________________________________________________________________ 10
4.2 Technology licensing ________________________________________________________________ 11
4.3 Foreign direct investment (FDI) ______________________________________________________ 11

5. Preferred Option _______________________________________________________________ 12
5.1 IP administration __________________________________________________________________ 12
5.2 IP enforcement ____________________________________________________________________ 14

6. Stakeholders’ views _____________________________________________________________ 15
7. Implementation plan ____________________________________________________________ 16
7.1 Institutional Development and Coordination Framework _________________________________ 16
7.2 National Legislative Implementation and Review ________________________________________ 16
7.3 Strategies for Participation in International IP Negotiations and Organisations_______________ 20
7.4 Needs-based and Coordinated Technical Assistance and Capacity Building __________________ 20
7.5 Impact Assessment and Periodic Policy Review__________________________________________ 21

8. Financial implications ___________________________________________________________ 21
9. Legal implications ______________________________________________________________ 21
10. Impact on business_____________________________________________________________ 25
11. Impact on equality, unity and reconciliation ________________________________________ 25
12. Handling plan (communication plan)______________________________________________ 25
Annex A: Membership of the Rwanda Development and Intellectual Property Forum__________ 26
Annex B: Implementation framework ________________________________________________ 27

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